Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 20.10-13; Romans 5.12-15; Matthew 10.26-33 “Everyone who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” – Matthew 10.32 Jesus’ saying turns on the principle of reciprocity. Jesus will treat us the way we treat others. We recognize this principle every time we pray the Our Father, “Forgive […]
Gospel Reflection for June 25, 2017, 12th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 8.2-3, 14-16; 1 Corinthians 10.16-17; John 6.51-58 “Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them.” – John 6.56 We misunderstand Jesus if we think the eating bread and drinking wine that Christians do is cannibalism. However, Jesus did choose eating and drinking as the
Gospel Reflection for June 18, 2017, Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ Read More »
Scripture Readings: Exodus 34.4-6, 8-9; 2 Corinthians 13.11-13; John 3.16-18 “God so loved the world that God sent the only Son that whoever believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” – John 3.16 During Jesus’ lifetime his disciples recognize he is an exceptional man who has come in God’s name and calls
Gospel Reflection for June 11, 2017, Trinity Sunday Read More »
Scripture Readings: Acts 2.1-11; 1 Corinthians 12.3-7, 12-13; John 20.19-23 This weekend the Church celebrates Pentecost, the climax of the Easter season and the birthday of the Christian community. In Acts, Luke describes 120 disciples awaiting the Holy Spirit. They have no cell phones for messaging, no practiced words for public speaking, no organizational flow
Gospel Reflection for June 4, 2017, Pentecost Read More »
Sunday Readings: Acts 1.1-11; Ephesians 1.17-23; Matthew 28.16-20 “I am with you always, to the end of the ages.” – Matthew 28.20 In our cyber age it’s easy to find reason to dismiss a dream before we try. Online forecasts show too many lawyers. Or, studies show the capacity to learn a language plummets after
Gospel Reflection for May 28, 2017, Ascension Read More »
Scripture Readings: Acts 8.5-8, 14-17; 1 Peter 315-18; John 14.15-21 “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.” – John 14.18 Thanks to the pervasive power of God’s love, there is no where Jesus’ friends can go where God is not, and nowhere they can go where the Spirit is not, or
Gospel Reflection for May 21, 2017, 6th Sunday of Easter Read More »
Scripture Readings: Acts 6.1-7; 1 Peter 2.4-9; John 14.1-12 “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places. If this were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” – John 14.2 Jesus fills his long leave taking after the last supper with advice for his friends and the
Gospel Reflection for May 14, 2017, 5th Sunday of Easter Read More »
Sunday Readings: Acts. 2.14, 36-41; 1 Peter 2.20-25; John 10.1-10 “I came that my sheep might have life and have it more abundantly.” – John 10.10 Walking together is what tracts Pope Francis to the good shepherd image. In speaking to parish priests, Pope Francis reflects, “What could be more beautiful than this: walking with
Gospel Reflection for Sunday, May 7, 2017, 4th Sunday of Easter Read More »
Sunday Readings: Acts 2.14,22-23; 1 Peter 1.17-21; Luke 24.13-35 “Stay with us.” – Luke 24.29 The walk to Emmaus in Sunday’s gospel becomes a liturgy on foot for two of Jesus’ disciples. They talk about the scriptures (liturgy of the word) and break bread together (liturgy of the Eucharist). As they tell how Jesus took
Gospel Reflection for April 30, 2017, 3rd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Acts 2.42-47; 1 Peter 1.3-9; John 20.19-31 Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” – John 20.21-22 On the evening of the first Easter,
Gospel Reflection for April 23, 2017, 2nd Sunday of Easter Read More »