Scripture Readings: Job 7.1-4,6-7; 1 Corinthians 9.16-19,22-23; Mark 1.29-39 “On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. Jesus came, took her by the hand, and raised her up. The fever left her and she […]
Gospel Reflection for February 4, 2018, 5th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Deuteronomy 18.15-20; 1 Corinthians 7.32-35; Mark 1.28 “What is this? A new teaching–with authority!” – Mark 1.27 An unholy spirit cries out in the synagogue where Jesus preaches in Sunday’s gospel. Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit, a word that also means to silence, muzzle, tie shut. The unclean spirit will not be Jesus’
Gospel Reflection for January 28, 2018, 4th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Jonah 3.1-5, 10; 1 Corinthians 7.29-31; Mark 1.14-20 “Come after me, and I will make you fishers of people.” – Mark 1.17 The gospel writer Mark includes few details in the spare story of Jesus calling four fishermen to follow him. Jesus’ call is direct; their responses, quick and decisive. They do not
Gospel Reflection for January 21, 2018, 3rd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: 1 Samuel 3.3-10, 19; 1 Corinthians 6.13-15, 17-20; John 1.35-42 “Come and see.” – John 1.29 “Come and see,” Jesus says when Andrew wants to learn about him in Sunday’s gospel. “Come and see” is a call to encounter. Come, talk, stay, meet face to face, interact, discover who I am and what
Gospel Reflection for January 14, 2018, 2nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9.1-6; Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-20 “Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2.7 Jesus’ birth story in Luke’s gospel anticipates Jesus’ whole life and emphasizes his mission to
Gospel Reflection for December 25th, Christmas Read More »
Sunday Readings: 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8-12, 14-16; Romans 26.25-27; Luke 1.26-38 “Nothing is impossible with God.” – Luke 1.37 In Mary, the Most High overshadows and dwells in a human person, intensifying God’s presence among us. The same God who created all that is makes the impossible come to be in Mary, who is young
Gospel Reflection for December 24, 2017, 4th Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 61.1-2,10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24; John 1.6-8, 19-28 “A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.” – John 1.6-7 John’s gospel begins with 18 verses about the preexistent Word who becomes flesh in Jesus. These verses include
Gospel Reflection for December 17, 2017, 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 40.1-5,9-11; 2 Peter 3.8-14; Mark 1.1-8 “One more powerful than I will come after me.” – Matthew 1.7 Advent prepares us o celebrate the incarnation–God becoming one of us. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, the one Israel’s prophet Isaiah promised God would send. By loving us as one of us, Jesus
Gospel Reflection for December 10, 2017, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 63.16-17,19; 64.2-7; 1 Corinthians 1.3-9; Mark 13.33-37 “Stay awake, for you do not know when the owner of the house will come.” – Matthew 13.35 Advent begins a new Church year with a gospel about the end of all things. Instead of a date for the end, Jesus gives us a
Gospel Reflection for December 3, 2017, 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
Scripture Readings: Wisdom 6.12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18; Matthew 25.1-13 “The wise girls brought flasks of oil along with their lamps.” – Matthew 25.4 When Matthew writes more than 50 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Christians no longer expect Jesus’ immanent return. Instead, they are reflecting on how to live wisely and faithfully during the
Gospel Reflection for November 12, 2017, 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »