Jesus said to the 72 appointed missionaries, “Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what they set before you and cure the sick there. Say to them: ‘The reign of God has come near.’” Luke 10.8-9 Jesus advises the missionaries no walking staff, no traveling bag, no sandals, and no visiting […]
Gospel Reflection for July 7, 2013, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
by Joan Mitchell, CSJ “In the cosmology of Jesus’ time, God and the heavens were up and human beings and Earth were below. Our 2,000-year-old gospel tells the story of the risen Jesus’ return to God in the cosmology everyone assumed in the first century. To return to God is to go to the heavens.
An excerpt from Sunday By Sunday Read More »
The devil had been tempting Jesus in the desert. Jesus said, “Scripture says, ‘You shall not put the Holy One your God to the test.’” Luke 4.9 In their theological duel Jesus and his antagonist express two very different interpretations of the role and mission of the messiah. The devil tempts Jesus to display his
Gospel Reflection for February 17, 1st Sunday of Lent Read More »
“My friend Darwin lives in the country. He’s a teacher, but sometimes wishes he were a farmer. Darwin says that once he was in a “visioning” workshop where the leader asked participants to close their eyes and imagine the happiest, most wonderful experience they could think of. What came to Darwin’s mind was the image
What does Epiphany mean to you? Read More »
After Jesus’ birth, magi from the east followed a star in hopes of finding the messiah. On entering the house, they found the child with Mary, his mother. They knelt down and paid him homage. Then they opened their coffers and presented him with gifts of gold frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2.11 Jesus is not
Gospel Reflection for January 6, 2013, Epiphany Read More »
Jesus is warning his followers about the frightening natural events that will accompany the return of Son of Man. When these things happen, stand straight and lift up your heads for your redemption is near at hand. Luke 21.28 In verses we hear this Sunday, Jesus talks about fear, foreboding, and signs in the heavens
Gospel Reflection for December 2, 2012, 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
Jesus was teaching in the temple and spoke out against the scribes being showy in their faith, looking for status. Jesus said, “I want you to observe that this poor widow gave more to the treasury than all the others. They gave from their loose change what they could spare. But she in her poverty
Gospel Reflection for November 11, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus said, “How hard for those trusting riches to enter the kingdom of God.” Mark 10.24 In his lifetime, Jesus was an itinerant preacher, who possessed no belongings and owned no home. Jesus sent his disciples out in the same way—with no food, money, bags, or second tunic. Christians for whom Mark writes in A.D.
Gospel Reflection for October 14, 2012, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Some Pharisees ask Jesus if the Law allows for a man to divorce his wife. Jesus said, “But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female, and for this reason men and women leave their fathers and mothers and the two become one. They are no longer two but one. Let no
Gospel Reflection for October 7, 2012, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
A guest post from Ellie Rocher When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were