Scripture Readings: Isaiah 60.1-6; Ephesians 3.2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2.1-12 “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We observed his star at its rising and have come to pay him homage.” – Matthew 2.2 Epiphany celebrate the manifestation of Jesus to Gentile seekers. Learned Gentiles discover through their study of the heavens a new star […]
Gospel Reflection for January 7, 2018, Epiphany Read More »
Scripture Readings: Isaiah 9.1-6; Titus 2.11-14; Luke 2.1-20 “Mary gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2.7 Jesus’ birth story in Luke’s gospel anticipates Jesus’ whole life and emphasizes his mission to
Gospel Reflection for December 25th, Christmas Read More »
Sunday Readings: 2 Samuel 7.1-5, 8-12, 14-16; Romans 26.25-27; Luke 1.26-38 “Nothing is impossible with God.” – Luke 1.37 In Mary, the Most High overshadows and dwells in a human person, intensifying God’s presence among us. The same God who created all that is makes the impossible come to be in Mary, who is young
Gospel Reflection for December 24, 2017, 4th Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 61.1-2,10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5.16-24; John 1.6-8, 19-28 “A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.” – John 1.6-7 John’s gospel begins with 18 verses about the preexistent Word who becomes flesh in Jesus. These verses include
Gospel Reflection for December 17, 2017, 3rd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 40.1-5,9-11; 2 Peter 3.8-14; Mark 1.1-8 “One more powerful than I will come after me.” – Matthew 1.7 Advent prepares us o celebrate the incarnation–God becoming one of us. Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us, the one Israel’s prophet Isaiah promised God would send. By loving us as one of us, Jesus
Gospel Reflection for December 10, 2017, 2nd Sunday of Advent Read More »
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 63.16-17,19; 64.2-7; 1 Corinthians 1.3-9; Mark 13.33-37 “Stay awake, for you do not know when the owner of the house will come.” – Matthew 13.35 Advent begins a new Church year with a gospel about the end of all things. Instead of a date for the end, Jesus gives us a
Gospel Reflection for December 3, 2017, 1st Sunday of Advent Read More »
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 »