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. […]
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Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 Sunday’s short gospel passage comes near the end of John’s gospel, chapter 10. Jesus knows us. This passage promises his followers will never perish. No one can snatch us from Jesus’ hand or his Father’s hand. These consoling promises
Gospel Reflection for April 21, 2013, 4th Sunday of Easter Read More »
Sunday’s Easter scene preserves a snapshot of the original Christian community, small and intimate. It includes the eleven, Jesus’ mother, Mary Magdalene, and other people who have followed Jesus. They have accompanied Jesus to Jerusalem and witnessed him heal and teach. This Easter community has no pastor, committees, governance, or finance reports – yet. The
Easter Community: an excerpt from Sunday By Sunday Read More »
A third time Jesus asks, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” So Peter said to him: “Lord, you know everything. You know well that I love you.” Jesus answered, “Feed my sheep.” John 21.17 The three repetitions remind
Gospel Reflection for April 15, 3rd Sunday of Easter Read More »
Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and Jesus appeared to her. Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!” John 20:18 Mary Magdalene hears a man she supposed to be the gardener speak her name. Like the sheep who know the shepherd’s voice in John 10, she recognizes Jesus’
Gospel Reflection for March 31, Easter 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 »
Jesus performed this first of his signs at Cana in Galilee. He revealed his glory and his disciples began to believe in him. John 2.11 Jesus, his mother, and disciples are at a wedding when Mary notices the wine has run out. Upon her request, Jesus turns six jars of water into an abundance of
Gospel Reflection for January 20, 2013, 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10.45 Jesus calls his disciples together when he hears the rest complaining about James and John seeking status. He defines himself as one who serves, who gives his life to
Gospel Reflection for October 21st, 29th 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 »
John told Jesus about trying to stop a man, who was not a disciple, from casting out demons in Jesus’ name. Jesus responded, “Do not stop him. No one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for
Gospel Reflection for September 30, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »