Jesus asks, “Today salvation has come to this house for he, too, is a son of Abraham. The Son of Man has come to seek out and save the lost.” Luke 19.9-10 Jesus’ final statement in the gospel makes his mission clear: he comes to seek out and save the lost. Jesus draws Zacchaeus, the […]
Gospel Reflection for November 3, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus asks, “All who make little of themselves will be lifted up, but all who make much of themselves will be brought down.” Luke 18.14 In this Sunday’s gospel Jesus tells the story of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee supposes the very prayer that distanced him from the tax collector brings him
Gospel Reflection for October 27, 2013, 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus tells the parable of the unjust judge who gives in to a widow who persists in seeking her rights. Jesus asks, “Will God not do justice to those chosen ones who call out day and night? Will God delay justice for them?” Luke 18.7 In Luke’s time widows have little place in society but
Gospel Reflection for October 20, 2013, 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
On his way to Jerusalem, Jesus encountered ten people with leprosy who asked for his healing. He sent them on and they then recognized they had been cured. One returned to thank Jesus. Jesus said, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Did none return to give glory to God but this man who
Gospel Reflection for October 13, 2013, 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus told the apostles, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, 1Be uprooted and planted in the sea,1 and it would obey you.” Luke 17.6 Jesus’ saying about faith insists that faith can command a sycamore to be uprooted from the ground and replanted in
Gospel Reflection for October 6, 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus tells the story of a poor beggar name Lazarus and a rich man. Both died and their roles reverse. The rich man suffers while Lazarus rests in the arms of Abraham. The rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus to bring him some water. Abraham replied, “Remember how well you lived when you were
Gospel Reflection for September 29, 2013, 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus said, “No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. Neither can you serve both God and wealth.” Luke 16.13 In the parable that forms Sunday’s gospel (Luke 16.1-13), Jesus surprisingly holds up an embezzler
Gospel Reflection for September 22, 2013, 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus tells three parables in Sunday’s gospel, ending with the story of the prodigal son. “My son, you are with me always, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice! This brother of yours was dead, and has come back to life. He was lost, and is found.” Luke 15.31-32
Gospel Reflection for September 15, 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus said, “Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14.27 Crucifixion was an excruciatingly painful and shameful form of execution, reserved for Rome’s vilest criminals and insurrectionists, cruelly calculated to deter imitators. Jesus’ teaching to carry the cross would have shocked and rocked his listeners. Understanding that exaggeration
Gospel Reflection for September 8, 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »
Jesus said, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. You will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14.13-14 In his advice for making guest lists, Jesus prefers those who cannot repay their hosts with
Gospel Reflection for September 1, 2013, 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Read More »