Jesus said, “Scripture says, ‘Not by bread alone do people live but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4.4 Jesus lives by God’s word not by bread alone. He refuses to put God to the test. He worships God alone, the first commandment. His testimony calls us to welcome and […]
Gospel Reflection for March 9, 1st Sunday of Lent Read More »
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. People who try either hate one and love the other or pay attention to one and despise the other. You cannot give yourself to God and money.” Matthew 6:24 Sunday’s gospel begins with a generic saying: No one can serve two masters. What makes the saying memorable
Gospel Reflection for March 2nd, 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 Jesus rejects conventional wisdom and accepted cultural values. He offers a prophetic alternative to payback; he wants us to make neighbors even of enemies. He pushes the law beyond simply keeping the rules and being obedient.
Gospel Reflection for February 23, 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket. The place for a lamp is on a stand where it gives light to all in the house.” Matthew 5:15 Jesus compares his disciples to light. People made lamps in Jesus’ day from clay. Household lamps were small enough for those
Gospel Reflection for February 9, 2014, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
An old man, Simeon, received and blessed Jesus when Mary and Joseph presented him at the temple. “Lord, you can let your servant go in peace; you have fulfilled your word. My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before all the nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory
Gospel Reflection for February 2, 2014, Feast of the Presentation Read More »
Jesus said to the fishermen, “Come follow me. I want you to gather people in your nets.” Matthew 4.19 Christians today may wonder why the four fishermen so unhesitatingly follow a man who comes walking along the lake shore and invites them to, “Follow me.” Matthew is writing about the call of Peter, Andrew,
Gospel Reflection for January 26, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
The fourth gospel begins in God time and enters history only in verse 6, when “a man named John was sent from God…to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him” (1.6-7). Jesus has no birth story and no parents at the beginning of this gospel. Instead he has a dedicated public
Gospel Reflection for January 19, 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
After Jesus was baptized be John, a voice from the heavens spoke. “This is my beloved Son. My favor rests on him.” Matthew 3.17 In receiving John’s baptism, Jesus passes from private life in Galilee to public life characterized by humility and compassionate justice. At his baptism the Spirit of God commissions him for his
Gospel Reflection for January 12, 2014, Baptism of the Lord Read More »
Magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” Matthew 2.2 The gospel tells us little about the foreigners who come to worship Jesus, but we have clothed them in rich detail. Why?
Gospel Reflection for January 5, Epiphany Sunday Read More »
The angel of God appeared to Joseph with this command. “Get up, take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you otherwise. Herod is searching for the child to destroy him.” Matthew 2.13 In Sunday’s gospel the Holy Family is on the run to protect Jesus’ life. King
Gospel Reflection for December 29, Feast of the Holy Family Read More »