Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 31.31-34; Hebrews 5.7-9; John 12.22-33 “The hour has come in which the Son of Man will be glorified. Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it will be bear much fruit.” (John 12.23-24) In John’s […]
Gospel Reflection for March 22, 2015, 5th Sunday of Lent Read More »
Sunday Readings: 2 Chronicles 36.14-16, 19-23; Ephesians 2.4-10; John 3.14-21 “For God so loved the world that God gave God’s only begotten Son that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have life forever.” (John 3.16) Jesus’ mission is not to condemn the world but to save it. He calls us who
Gospel Reflection for March 15, 2015, 4th Sunday of Lent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Exodus 20.1-17; 1 Corinthians 1.22-25; John 2.13-25 “Stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” (John 2.16) Jesus’ cleansing the temple calls us to clean our houses this Lent — to examine our hearts. Our fast-paced, productive lives can erode our relationships with God, make us feel like cogs in the wheels of commerce
Gospel Reflection for March 8, 2015, 3rd Sunday of Lent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Genesis 22.1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18; Romans 8.31-34; Mark 9.2-10 “Suddenly looking around, Peter, James, and John no longer saw anyone with them — only Jesus.” (Mark 9.8) The Orthodox Church sees in the transfiguration what the whole of Christian life is about — transformation into Christ. Prayer leads to transforming communion with God.
Gospel Reflection for March 1, 2015, 2nd Sunday of Lent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Genesis 9.8-15; 1 Peter 3.18-22; Mark 1.12-15 “Immediately after his baptism the Spirit drove Jesus into the desert.” (Mark 1.12) Every Lent we tend to own up to our self-destructive habits and recommit to become more kind, loving, and prayerful, to say nothing of healthier. What if it is our affections that pull
Gospel Reflection for February 22, 2015, 1st Sunday of Lent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Leviticus 13.1-2, 44-46; 1 Corinthians 10.31-11.1; Mark 1.40-45 A leper cam to Jesus begging him and kneeling. The leper said to Jesus, “If you choose you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, and said, “I do choose. Be made clean!” (Mark 1.40-45) Like the
Gospel Reflection for February 15, 2015, 6th Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Job 7.1-4, 6-7; 1 Corinthians 9.16-19, 22-23; Mark 1.29-39 As soon as they left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Now Peter’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. Jesus took her by the hand and lifted
Gospel Reflection for February 8, 2015, 5th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Deuteronomy 18.15-20; 1 Corinthians 7.32-35; Mark 1.21-28 Just then there was in the synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us?” (Mark 1.23-24) All of us have the work of discerning the spirits that
Gospel Reflection for February 1, 2015, 4th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Jonah 3.1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7.29-31; Mark 1.14-20 Jesus saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea—for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people.” (Mark 1.16-17) Mark writes the first gospel to call a new generation to faith in
Gospel Reflection for January 25, 2015, 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: 1 Samuel 3.3-10,19; 1 Corinthians 6.13-15,17-20; John 1.35-42 John the Baptist points out Jesus to two of his disciples, Andrew and another. They follow Jesus, who turns, sees them, and ask what they are looking for. Andrew said to him, “Teacher, where are you staying?” Jesus said to them, “Come and see.”
Gospel Reflection for January 18, 2015, 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Read More »