Sunday Readings: Isaiah 42.1-4,6-7; Titus 2.11-14,3.4-7; Luke 3.15-16,21-22 “As the people were filled with expectation and all were questioning in their hearts whether John might be the messiah, John answered ‘I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.’” – Luke 3.16 […]
Gospel Reflection for January 13, 2019, Baptism of the Lord Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 60.1-6, Ephesians 3.2-3, 5-6, Matthew 2.1-12 Magi from the East arrive in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” – Matthew 2.1-2 Only Matthew tells the story of the wise visitors from the East. They are students
Gospel Reflection for January 6, 2019, Epiphany Read More »
Sunday Readings: 1 Samuel 1.20-22, 24-28; 1 John 3.1-2, 21-24, Luke 2.41-52 Jesus went down with Mary and Joseph and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart. Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor. – Luke 2.51-52 Only Luke tells a story about
Gospel Reflection for December 30, 2018, Holy Family Read More »
Sunday Readings: Micah 5.1-4; Hebrews 10.5-10; Luke 1.39-45 “Blessed is she who trusts God’s words to her will be fulfilled.” – Luke 1.45 The Advent gospels lead us toward Christmas with thoughts of Jesus’ coming in glory and with John the Baptist’s urgent preaching to repent. Those of us who have not yet agreed to let God’s
Gospel Reflection for December 23, 2018, 4th Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Zephaniah 3.14-18; Philippians 4.4-7; Luke 3.10-18 The crowd asks John the Baptist, “What should we do?” Let people with two coats give to people who have none. People who have lots of food should do the same.” – Luke 3.10-11 Crowds are listening to John the Baptist scold his hearers because they come seeking baptism,
Gospel Reflection for December 16, 2018, 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Baruch 5.1-9; Philippians 1.4-6, 8-11; Luke 3.1-6 “A herald’s voice in the desert cries out: ‘Make ready a road for God. Clear a straight path for God. Every valley shall be filled; every mountain and hill shall be leveled.’” – Luke 3.4-5 John the Baptist heralds the turning point in history by which much of the
Gospel Reflection for December 9, 2018, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
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 »
Sunday Readings: Daniel 7.13-14, Revelation 1.5-8, John 18.33-37 Pilate said to Jesus, “So then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “It is you what say I am a king. The reason I was born, the reason why I came into the world, is to testify to the truth.” – John 18.36-37 In his exchange with Pilate, Jesus
Gospel Reflection for November 25, 2018, Feast of Christ the King Read More »
Sunday Readings: Daniel 12.1-3; Hebrews 10.11-14,18; Mark 13.24-32 “The heavens and the earth will pass away but my words will not.” – Mark 13.31 Sunday’s gospel contains two answers to the question of when Jesus will come again. One answer is very soon, in this generation, and the second is no one knows. We live during
Gospel Reflection for November 18, 2018, 33rd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: 1 Kings 17.10-16; Hebrews 9.24-28; Mark 12.38-44 In the course of his teaching, Jesus said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext,
Gospel Reflection for November 11, 2018, 32nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »