Sunday Readings: Ezekiel 34.11-12,15-17; 1 Corinthians 15.20-26,28; Matthew 25.31-46 “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we you were a stranger and welcome you or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and visit […]
Gospel Reflection for November 26, 2017, Feast of Christ the King Read More »
Scripture Readings: Proverbs 31.1-13, 19-20, 30-31; 1 Thessalonians 5.1-6; Matthew 25.14-30 “The servant who received one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and buried the master’s money.” – Matthew 25.19 The master in the parable of the talents puts servants in charge of huge amounts of money. A worker in Jesus’ time
Gospel Reflection for November 19, 2017, 33rd Sunday Ordinary Time 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 »
Sunday Readings: Malachi 1.14; 2.2, 8-10; Thessalonians 2.7-9.3; Matthew 23.1-12 “The greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest.” – Matthew 23.11 Perhaps some people in the early Christian communities claim more importance than others. When Matthew writes more than 50 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection, Christians may be living the
Gospel Reflection for November 5, 2017, 31st Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Exodus 22.20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1.5-10; Matthew 22.34-40 “Teacher, which commandment of the law is greatest?” – Matthew 22.36 Love God and neighbor without distinction. This is the distilled version of the mission of the Sisters of St. Joseph, the religious community to which I belong. The mission calls us to act—to love and form
Gospel Reflection for October 29, 2017, 30th Sunday Ordinary time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 45.1,4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1.1-5; Matthew 22.15-21 “Whose image is on the coin and whose inscription?” – Matthew 22.20 In Sunday’s gospel Jesus confronts a worldview about who images God. Jesus insists that we cannot keep separate our obligations to God and those to government. God blesses and calls us to integrate
Gospel Reflection for October 22, 2017, 29th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 25.6-10; Philippians 4.12-14,19-20; Matthew 22.1-10 “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, ‘Tell those who have
Gospel Reflection for October 15, 2017, 28th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 5.1-7; Philippians 4.6-9; Matthew 21.33-43 “The kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will yield a rich harvest.” – Matthew 21.43 Economically in Jesus’ time, 95% of the people were poor peasants who worked hard to survive. Roman soldiers from the occupying army
Gospel Reflection for October 8, 2017, 27th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture readings: Ezekiel 18.25-28; Philippians 2.1-11; Matthew 21.28-32 Jesus told this parable. A man had two sons. He said to the first, “Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.” “No, I will not,” the first son said. But afterwards the son regretted it and went. The father asked the second son to do
Gospel Reflection for October 1, 2017, 26th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 55.6-9; Philippians 1.20-24,27; Matthew 20.1-16 “So the last will be first and the first will be last.” – Matthew 20.16 The vineyard owner in Sunday’s gospel has a unique pay scale. The owner pays the full-day wage to those who find work only at the last hour. Some will perhaps count these
Gospel Reflection for September 24, 2017, 25th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »