Scripture Readings: Leviticus 13.1-2, 44-46; 1 Corinthians 10.31-11.1; Mark 1.40-45 “A leper came to Jesus, imploring him urgently and kneeling as he spoke, ‘If you choose, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him. ‘I do choose. Be made clean.’” – Mark 1.40-41 In Jesus’ time […]
Gospel Reflection for February 11, 2018, 6th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Heifer International is an organization that makes its mission to eradicate poverty and hunger in the world, a mission like Jesus’ own. It is featured in Spirit this week. Heifer educates people about the lives of people who need help with the basics to thrive. The learning center invites young people to experience a “day
Music and the Gospel: “Tapestry,” Liv Dawson, 2nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
The last Sunday of the liturgical year celebrates Jesus as Christ the King, who promises to judge us on whether we do the works of mercy. Catholic social teaching challenges us to these same actions. We can all take part in helping those who need food, clothing, water, shelter whether it’s donating resources or helping
Scripture Readings: Exodus 22.20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1.5-10; Matthew 22.34-40 “Teacher, which commandment of the law is greatest?” – Matthew 22.36 Love God and neighbor without distinction. This is the distilled version of the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the religious community to which I belong. The mission calls us to act—to love and form
Gospel Reflection for October 29, 2017, 30th Sunday Ordinary time Read More »
“Love your neighbor as yourself.” Jesus teaches us the way to love God is to love one another. It doesn’t matter who we love, what religion we adhere to, what color our skin is, where we are on the economic scale. What matters the most is that we treat each other with respect, fairness, and
Music and the Gospel: “Here For You,” Kygo ft. Ella Henderson, 30th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Not all the people in our communities and nation have the same access to education, healthcare, and justice. This week’s SPIRIT spotlights Appalachia and the effects of mountaintop mining. The song “Sea Change” asks us why are we closing our eyes to the plight of people in our midst who are poor when we are
Music and the Gospel: “Sea Change,” Thrice, 29th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 20.10-13; Romans 5.12-15; Matthew 10.26-33 “Everyone who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” – Matthew 10.32 Jesus’ saying turns on the principle of reciprocity. Jesus will treat us the way we treat others. We recognize this principle every time we pray the Our Father, “Forgive
Gospel Reflection for June 25, 2017, 12th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
“Without roots in the people, no government can avail, much less when it wants to impose its program through bloodshed and sorrow.” In 1980, Archbishop Oscar Romero was assassinated not long after he spoke these words. Romero challenged his government to end the violence that was sweeping through his country and killing his people. He
Music and the Gospel: “Believer,” Imagine Dragons, 4th Sunday of Lent Read More »
This week’s SPIRIT talks about what influences us, especially how what and who we love influence our decisions. SPIRIT also invites us to look at the consequences of our decisions, whether they be small-scale or large scale, and how we can work to minimize any negative impacts our decisions may have. The song “Magic” extends
Music and the Gospel: “Magic,” Thomas Gold, ft. Jillian Edwards Read More »
Scripture Readings: Zephaniah 2.3;3.12-13; 1 Corinthians 1.26-31; Matthew 5.1-12 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5.3 Who does God bless? The obvious answer is people with a security guard at their gates and a home for every season. Jesus has a different take. He insists God
Gospel Reflection for January 29, 2017, 4th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »