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 »
Scripture Readings: Deuteronomy 6.2-6; Hebrews 7.23-28; Mark 12.28-34 A scribe ask Jesus, “What is the greatest of all the commandments?” Jesus answers, “The greatest of all the commandments is ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is Lord alone. Therefore, love the Holy One your God with all your soul, with all your mind, and with
Gospel Reflection for November 4, 2018, 31st Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Jeremiah 31.7-9; Hebrews 5.1-6; Mark 10.46-52 Jesus said to Bartimaeus, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to Jesus, “Teacher, let me see again.” “Go, your faith has healed you,” Jesus said to him. At once Bartimaeus was able to see and followed Jesus up the road – Mark 10.51-52
Gospel Reflection for October 28, 2018, 30th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 53.10-11; Hebrews 4.14-16; Mark 10.35-44 Jesus says to James and John, who ask to sit at his right and left hand in his kingdom, “You do not know what your are asking. Are you able to drink the cup I will drink?” – Mark 10.38 It’s ironic that James and John answer Jesus’ question,
Gospel Reflection for October 21, 2018, 29th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Wisdom 7.7-11; Hebrews 4.12-13; Mark 10.17-27 “You need do only one thing more.” – Mark 10.21 The young man in Sunday’s gospel wants to know what he can do to receive eternal life. Jesus names six of the ten commandments–no to killing, adultery, stealing, giving false witness, and cheating, and yes to honoring one’s parents.
Gospel Reflection for October 14, 2018, 28th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »
Sunday Readings: Genesis 2.18-24; Hebrews 2.9-11; Mark 10.2-12 “God made humans male and female, and for this reason men and woman leave their fathers and mothers and the two become one.” – Mark 10.6-8 Some Pharisees ask Jesus in Sunday’s gospel, “Does the law permit divorce?” This question is still controversial today. The law of Moses does permit
Gospel Reflection for October 7, 2018, 27th Sunday Ordinary Time Read More »