Sunday Readings: Joshua 24.1-2, 15-17, 18; Ephesians 5.21-32; John 6.60-69 “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life.” John 6.63 Jesus’ words in last Sunday’s gospel jar his disciples. “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat […]
Gospel Reflection for August 26, 2012, 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. John 6.53 Eucharist feeds a kingdom-building church that erupts with breathtaking force when the same food touches and fuels many together at once. Eucharist is an act of solidarity with
Gospel Reflection for August 19, 2012, 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh. John 6.51 Jesus argues that the revelation of God in Israel’s holy history and law ought to lead real believers to
Gospel Reflection for August 12, 2012, 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never hungry, and whoever believes in my will never be thirsty. John 6.35 When Jesus sat at a table with his friends 2,000 years ago, he had little more to say to them than what he had been trying to say through the whole
Gospel Reflection for August 5, 2012, 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
A crowd that numbers 5,000 men is following Jesus and his disciples and needs to be fed. They have only five barley loaves and two fish. Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed them to those who were seated; so also the fish, as much as they wanted. When they had their fill, Jesus
Gospel Reflection for July 29, 2012, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
When the apostles returned from their first mission, Jesus tried to help them get to an isolated place so they could rest. They couldn’t escape the crowds. As he went ashore, Jesus saw a great crowd. He had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them many
Gospel Reflection for July 22, 2012, 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus called the twelve, began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts. Mark 6.7-8 The simple but demanding ethical standards Jesus gives his disciples challenge them
Gospel Reflection for July 15th, 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus came back to his hometown and began to teach. Jesus could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. He was amazed at their unbelief. Mark 6.5-6 Jesus’ preaching and healing arouse concern among members of his own family and criticism among
Gospel Reflection for July 8, 2012, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” Matthew 28.19 Christians follow Jesus’ example in naming God in intimate, relational terms. As baptized Christians, we follow Jesus in calling God Father; we claim kinship with God,
Gospel Reflection for June 3, 2012, Trinity Sunday Read More »
Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15.5 The image of the vine communicates the risen Jesus’ sustaining love for the Christian community. Disciples tap into the common vein of life
Gospel Reflection for May 6, 2012, 5th Sunday of Easter Read More »