The angel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.” Luke 1.30-31 To the angel’s greeting, Mary responds with wordless perplexity. To Gabriel’s invitation to give birth to God’s Son, Mary questions, “How can this […]
Gospel Reflection for December 18th, Fourth Sunday in Advent Read More »
John the Baptist said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Holy One.’” John 1.23 John the Baptist speaks in continuity with the prophets in Israel’s history. In fact, Christian tradition hears in his preaching an echo of the voice of Second Isaiah who called
Gospel Reflection for December 11, 3rd Sunday in Advent Read More »
John the Baptist said, “I have baptized you in water; the one who is coming will baptize you in the Holy Spirit.” Mark 1.8 John the Baptist preaches repentance and has people who repent wash in water to symbolize their resolve to turn toward God. Bathing washes away the sweat, dirt, and smell of past
Gospel Reflection for December 4th, 2nd Sunday in Advent Read More »
Watch! Stay awake! You do not know when the appointed time will come. Mark 13.33 Like us, Jesus’ disciples in Sunday’s gospel want to know what the future will bring. In Mark 13 they ask Jesus when the end will happen. Jesus answers that no one knows when the end will be, not the day,
Gospel Reflection for November 27th, First Sunday of Advent Read More »
The just ask, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you were a stranger and welcome you or naked and give you clothing? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?” “I assure you,
Gospel Reflection for November 20, Feast of Christ the King Read More »
Jesus said, “To those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing; even what they have will be taken away.” Matthew 25.29 The moral of this Sunday’s parable seems counter-intuitive to the Gospel messages to which we are most accustomed. What happened to “the last
Gospel Reflection for November 13th, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
In the gospel for August 21 Peter is a rock; the Sunday after that Peter is a stumbling block. This Sunday Peter is the heroic first believer, the leader among the disciples, who steps forward to answer Jesus’ question, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter answers, “You are the Messiah, the son of