Category Archives: Year of Mercy

Gospel Reflection for November 20, 2016, Christ the King

Sunday Readings: 2 Samuel 5.1-3; Colossians 1.12-20; Luke 23.35-43 “Jesus is the face of God’s mercy,” Pope Francis writes in announcing the Jubilee Year of Mercy that ends this Sunday. “These words might well sum up the mystery of Christian faith. Mercy has become living and visible in Jesus of Nazareth, reaching its culmination inContinue reading “Gospel Reflection for November 20, 2016, Christ the King”

Gospel Reflection for September 11, 2016, 24th Sunday Ordinary Time

Sunday Readings: Exodus 32.7-11, 13-14; 1 Timothy 1.12-17; Luke 15.1-32 “Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep…..Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.” (Luke 15.6, 9) Losing, finding, rejoicing — that is the pattern in each of the three parables Jesus tells in chapter 15. Who doesn’t bother toContinue reading “Gospel Reflection for September 11, 2016, 24th Sunday Ordinary Time”

Gospel Reflection for April 3, 2016, 2nd Sunday of Easter

Sunday Readings: Acts 5.12-16; Revelation 1.9-11, 12-13, 17-19; John 20.19-31 Jesus breathed on his disciples and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained.” (John 20.22-23) Bible scholar Sandra Schneiders observes that the Greek word translated as retained above or sometimes boundContinue reading “Gospel Reflection for April 3, 2016, 2nd Sunday of Easter”

Finish coloring in your Lenten cross!

These are the last suggestions for your Lenten cross. PLANT Plant heirloom or organic seeds. Start annuals from seed instead of buying flats at the greenhouse. SIMPLIFY Sort through your clothes and shoes. Donate what you don’t need. Minimize the electricity you use for a day. Eat by candlelight. PRAY Count your blessings. Develop aContinue reading “Finish coloring in your Lenten cross!”

Celebrate Mercy

When Pope Francis announced the Year of Mercy last April he said, “Wherever the Church is present, the mercy of the Father must be evident.  Wherever there are Christians, everyone should find an oasis of mercy.”  The Gospels for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays of Lent have vivid pictures of mercy.  One more chanceContinue reading “Celebrate Mercy”

Gospel Reflection for February 28, 2016, 3rd Sunday of Lent

Sunday Readings: Exodus 3.1-8, 13-15; 1 Corinthians 10.1-6, 10-12; Luke 13.1-9 “For three years now I have come looking for figs on this tree and found none. Cut it down. Why should it take up space?” (Luke 13.7) Jesus’ parable of the fig tree reveals God’s hope and compassion for people. The gardener who caresContinue reading “Gospel Reflection for February 28, 2016, 3rd Sunday of Lent”

Gospel Reflection for January 31, 2016, 4th Sunday Ordinary Time

Scripture Readings: Jeremiah 1.4-5, 17-19; 1 Corinthians 13.4-13; Luke 4.21-30 “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4.21) These words begin Jesus’ inaugural sermon in Luke’s gospel. In last Sunday’s gospel Jesus read a passage from Isaiah that describes a prophet whom the Spirit anoints and appoints to bring good news to theContinue reading “Gospel Reflection for January 31, 2016, 4th Sunday Ordinary Time”

Year of Mercy

Our Year of Mercy begins December 8th! Pope Francis wants each of us to be “an oasis of mercy.” Keep his wish alive in your home, school, or parish with this beautiful poster. Together we can bring Jesus’ spirit of love to our world. Click here to download your FREE poster and forward it toContinue reading “Year of Mercy”