Gospel Reflection for December 2, 2018, 1st Sunday of Advent Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 33.14-16; 1 Thessalonians 3.12-4.2; Luke 21.25-28, 34-36 “Stay watchful, praying for strength to escape what will happen and to stand before the Son of Man.” – Luke 21.36 Advent begins the Church year with a gospel that fairly froths with frightful images. The gospel […]
Gospel Reflection for December 2, 2018, 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
Scripture Readings: Acts 2.1-11; 1 Corinthians 12.3-7, 12-13; John 20.19-23 This weekend the Church celebrates Pentecost, the climax of the Easter season and the birthday of the Christian community. In Acts, Luke describes 120 disciples awaiting the Holy Spirit. They have no cell phones for messaging, no practiced words for public speaking, no organizational flow
Gospel Reflection for June 4, 2017, Pentecost Read More »
Sunday Readings: Acts.34, 37-43; Colossians 3.1-4; John 20.1-9 (and John 20.10-18 to read Mary Magdalene’s part in the Easter story) “Then the disciple who arrived first at the tomb went in, saw, and believed.” – John 20.9 “Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the lord.” – John 20.18 The Easter
Gospel Reflection for April 16, 2017, Easter Sunday Read More »
Easter is where Christian faith begins. It celebrates Jesus’ resurrection. The Church often baptizes new believers at Easter time. Spirit is about a young woman who wakes up to what she believes at a baptism. For some people, believing is as natural as breathing; others journey a longer way through doubting and questioning. They may
Music and the Gospel: “Open Hands,” Urban Rescue, Easter Sunday Read More »
Scripture Readings: Exodus 17.3-7; Romans 5.1-2, 5-8; John 4.5-42 “Many Samaritans from that village believed in Jesus on the strength of the woman’s testimony.” – John 4.39 The Samaritan woman meets Jesus at Jacob’s well. He asks for a drink. In their conversation the woman from Samaria moves from misunderstanding to seeking living water, coming
Gospel Reflection for March 19, 2017, 3rd Sunday of Lent Read More »
Scripture Readings: Genesis 2.1-4; 2 Timothy 1.8-10; Matthew 17.1-9 “This is my beloved Son, on whom my favor rests. Listen to him.” – Matthew 17.5 Matthew’s account of the Jesus’ transfiguration is the preeminent story of transformation, a crossroads event. Just a few verses earlier Jesus tells his followers for the first time that he
Gospel Reflection for March 12, 2017, 2nd Sunday of Lent Read More »
Scripture Readings: Genesis 2.7-9; 3.1-7; Romans 5.12-19; Matthew 4.1-11 “Away with you, Satan. Scripture says, ‘You shall worship the Holy One your God; only God shall you adore.’” – Matthew 4.10 Each year the temptation story from one of the synoptic gospels is the gospel for the 1st Sunday of Lent. The devil in the
Gospel Reflection for March 5, 2017, 1st Sunday of Lent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 49.1-5; 1 Corinthians 4.1-5; Matthew 6.24-24 “Which of you by worrying can add a moment to his or her lifespan? As for clothes, why be concerned? Learn a lesson from the way the wild flowers grow. They don’t work; they don’t spin. Yet I assure you, not even Solomon in all his
Gospel Reflection for February 26, 2017, 8th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
In the day-to-day shuffle, we cyberbeings often forget to unplug and recognize the beauty in the world around us. Sometimes that beauty takes a little work to uncover, whether it’s cleaning up a road ditch or a deserted piece of land. This week’s Spirit reminds us that we live in communion with Earth and that
Music and the Gospel: “The Garden,” Kari Jobe Read More »
Scripture Readings: Leviticus 19.1-2, 17-18; 1 Corinthians 3.16-23; Matthew 5.38-48 “You have heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy,’ but I say to your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for God makes the sun to rise
Gospel Reflection for February 19, 2017, 7th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »