About three o’clock Jesus cried out in a loud tone, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” This means, “My God, my God. Why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27.46 The events of the passion test and manifest Jesus’ love for God, for the world, for his friends, and for the community that still gathers in his name. […]
Gospel Reflection for April 13, 2014, Palm/Passion Sunday Read More »
Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life: whoever believes in me, though they will die, will come to life; and whoever is alive and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Martha responded, “Yes, Lord, I have come to believe that you are the messiah, the son of God: he
Gospel Reflection for April 6, 5th Sunday of Lent Read More »
Jesus gave sight to a man born blind. The Pharisees questioned the man as to who could perform this miracle. The man said he did not know, but the person capable of such things must come from God. This outraged the Pharisees. Jesus heard about this and went to the man born blind. Jesus said,
Gospel Reflection for March 30, 2014, 4th Sunday of Lent Read More »
Jesus was transfigured in front of his disciples. Out of the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son, on whom my favor rests. Listen to him.” Matthew 17.5 His transfiguration takes place just after Jesus tells his disciples for the first time he will suffer, die, and rise on the third day. This
Gospel Reflection for March 16, 2014, 2nd Sunday of Lent Read More »
Jesus said, “Scripture says, ‘Not by bread alone do people live but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4.4 Jesus lives by God’s word not by bread alone. He refuses to put God to the test. He worships God alone, the first commandment. His testimony calls us to welcome and
Gospel Reflection for March 9, 1st Sunday of Lent Read More »
Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters. People who try either hate one and love the other or pay attention to one and despise the other. You cannot give yourself to God and money.” Matthew 6:24 Sunday’s gospel begins with a generic saying: No one can serve two masters. What makes the saying memorable
Gospel Reflection for March 2nd, 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
I went trick-or-treating for the first time when I was just over one year old, dressed as a clown and carrying my orange plastic pumpkin in which my parents had placed a few pieces of candy before I left the house. At my first stop, when presented with the tray of candy from which to
Perfect God, Good Enough Humanity Read More »
Jesus said, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Matthew 5:44 Jesus rejects conventional wisdom and accepted cultural values. He offers a prophetic alternative to payback; he wants us to make neighbors even of enemies. He pushes the law beyond simply keeping the rules and being obedient.
Gospel Reflection for February 23, 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Recently I boarded a puddle jumper at 10:30 p.m. for the last leg of a trip to Lexington, KY. I would not get in until midnight and knew I had an eight hour day of teaching beginning at 8 a.m. the following morning. Not long after I slumped into my seat, hoping at least to
Speaking the Truth Read More »
Jesus taught his disciples about the law saying, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill them.” Matthew 5:17 Jesus is a wise man, a teacher, and wisdom figure. Jesus interprets the law of Moses in unconventional ways. He contrasts
Gospel Reflection for February 16, 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »