“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” John 3.14 Sunday’s gospel refers to Jesus’ crucifixion as a “lifting up.” Being lifted up condenses within a single verb the whole paschal mystery—Jesus’ crucifixion and death,Continue reading “Gospel Reflection for September 14, 2014, Exaltation of the Holy Cross”
Tag Archives: Catholic
Gospel Reflection for August 17, 2014, 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time
“It’s not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” Matthew 15.26 Perhaps it is the rudeness of Jesus’ words that impels Matthew to edit Mark’s earlier version of this story. Matthew provides a reason for Jesus’ refusal to help this Gentile woman, whose daughter is tormented by a demon.Continue reading “Gospel Reflection for August 17, 2014, 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time”
Gospel Reflection for July 27, 2014, 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time
The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, which collects fish of every kind. When it is full, they haul it ashore and sit down to put what is good in buckets. What is bad they throw away. Matthew 13.47-48 Matthew never knows when to quit. Rather than end his chapterContinue reading “Gospel Reflection for July 27, 2014, 17th Sunday of Ordinary Time”
One Year of Pope Francis
On the day it was announced that Jorge Bergoglio was elected, the immediate reaction was, “Francis! Oh this is Revolutionary!” A year later, we reflect. Is Pope Francis revolutionary? He asks for our prayers before he blesses us. He hugs us, appears in selfies with youth and washes our feet. He continues to look toContinue reading “One Year of Pope Francis”
Feminism in Faith
In honor of International Women’s Day on March 8th, I wanted to promote Buzzfeed’s article Feminism in Faith: Four Women Who Are Revolutionizing Organized Religion. The article highlights four women working within their faith community to bring about change: Sara Hurwitz: the first publicly ordained Orthodox Jewish Rabba Kate Kelly: an attorney getting the issue ofContinue reading “Feminism in Faith”
Gospel Reflection for February 9, 2014, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus said, “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket. The place for a lamp is on a stand where it gives light to all in the house.” Matthew 5:15 Jesus compares his disciples to light. People made lamps in Jesus’ day from clay. Household lamps were small enough for thoseContinue reading “Gospel Reflection for February 9, 2014, 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time”
Gospel Reflection for February 2, 2014, Feast of the Presentation
An old man, Simeon, received and blessed Jesus when Mary and Joseph presented him at the temple. “Lord, you can let your servant go in peace; you have fulfilled your word. My eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared before all the nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for gloryContinue reading “Gospel Reflection for February 2, 2014, Feast of the Presentation”
Gospel Reflection for November 17, 2013, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus asks, “Take care not to be misled. Many will come in my name saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is at hand.’ Do not run after them.” Many people speak in Jesus’ name today, quoting passages like Sunday’s gospel. Luke is writing his gospel for people like us, living in the time betweenContinue reading “Gospel Reflection for November 17, 2013, 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time”
Gospel Reflection for November 10, 2013, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
Jesus said, “God is not God of the dead but of the living. All are alive to God.” Luke 20.38 In Sunday’s gospel a Sadducee poses a question to Jesus regarding the law of Moses. The law states a man is to marry his brother’s widow if she is childless. The Sadducee presents a caseContinue reading “Gospel Reflection for November 10, 2013, 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time”
Gospel Reflection for November 3, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time
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, theContinue reading “Gospel Reflection for November 3, 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time”
Keeping Faith Today 