Sunday Readings: Isaiah 58.7-10, 1 Corinthians 2.1-5; Matthew 5.13-16 “You are the salt of the earth.…You are the light of the world.” – Matthew 5.13-14 Two thousand years ago, people had no refrigeration. People who survived on fish had to eat them immediately after catching them. Hunters had to eat meat as soon as they […]
Gospel Reflection for February 9, 2020, 5th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Malachi 3.1-4; Hebrews 2.14-18; Luke 2.22-40 Simeon took the child Jesus in his arms and praised God, saying, “Now you are dismissing your servant in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation for the Gentiles
Gospel Reflection for February 2, 2020, Feast of the Presentation Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 8.23-9.3; 1 Corinthians 1.10-13, 17; Matthew 4.12-23 From the time John the Baptist’s arrest, Jesus began to proclaim, “Reform your lives! The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” As Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon known as Peter, and his brother Andrew, who were casting a net into
Gospel Reflection for January 26, 2020, 3rd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 49.3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 1.1-3; John 1.29-34 “Now I have seen for myself and have testified, ‘This is God’s chosen one.’” – John 1.34 Theology is faith seeking understanding. Christology is faith in Jesus seeking to understand who he is and his purposes for us. Christologies grow out of images and insights we draw from
Gospel Reflection for January 19, 2020, 2nd Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 42.1-4, 6-7; Acts 10.34-38; Matthew 3.13-17 Jesus appeared before John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. John resisted, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” “Let it be this way for now. It is fitting to fulfill all God’s demands,” Jesus said. After Jesus
Gospel Reflection for January 12, 2019, Baptism of the Lord Read More »
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 60.1-6; Ephesians 3.2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2.1-12 After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem of Judea, magi from the east arrived on day in Jerusalem, saying, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage” (Matthew 2.1-2). The magi are not Jews;
Gospel Reflection for January 5, 2019, Feast of Epiphany Read More »
Gospel Reflection for December 15, 2019, 3rd Sunday of Advent Sunday Readings: Isaiah 35.1-6,10; James 5.7-10; Matthew 11.2-11 In his ministry Jesus is not hacking dead branches off the family tree of Israel nor winnowing hypocrites from among repentant sinners as John expected he would. Jesus is so different from the axe-wielding, chaff-winnowing judge that
Gospel Reflection for December 15, 2019, 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Gospel Reflection for December 8, 2019, 2nd Sunday of Advent Sunday Readings: Isaiah 2.1-5; Romans 13.11-14; Matthew 23.37-44 Ours are not the only troubled times. The prophet Isaiah describes in Sunday’s first reading an ideal king and a peaceable kin*dom. Small wonder, Isaiah lives in the years following the Assyria army’s destruction of the northern
Gospel Reflection for December 8, 2019, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 2.1-5; Romans 13.11-14; Matthew 23.37-44 “Be sure of this: If the owner of the house knew when the thief was coming he or she would keep a watchful eye and not allow the house to be broken into. You must be prepared in the same way. The Son of Man is coming
Gospel Reflection for December 1, 2019, 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: 2 Samuel 5.1-3; Colossians 1.12-20; Luke 23.35-43 Jesus was crucified with two criminals. One reviled Jesus, saying, “Aren’t you the messiah? Then save yourself and us.” The other criminal rebuked the first, saying, “Don’t you even fear God? … This man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your
Gospel Reflection for November 24, 2019, Feast of Christ the King Read More »