A grain of wheat: On this 5th Sunday of Lent, Jesus tells us that “unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat, but if it dies, it produces much fruit.” When a kernel of wheat dies in the ground, mysteriously life is released from its […]
Rich: On this Laetare Sunday we hear St. Paul tell us that “God is rich in mercy.” Jesus tells us, “For God so loved the world that He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” Pope Francis puts it daringly: “When everything is […]
Overturned: On this third Sunday of Lent we hear the Gospel story of Jesus going to the temple in Jerusalem and driving out from the temple area the money changers and those who sold oxen, sheep and doves, saying, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.” Pope Francis remarked […]
Listening: This Sunday is one of my favorite Gospels. Prior to today’s Gospel on the Transfiguration, Jesus had asked his disciples “who do you say that I am?” Peter got the answer right—Jesus is the Son of God. But then Jesus explains that he will suffer and die. And then he tells his disciples that […]
Desert: On this first Sunday of Lent we hear St. Mark’s version of the temptation of Jesus in the desert. Jesus spent forty days in the desert fasting and praying and being tempted by Satan. Lent is a time of “spiritual battle against the spirit of evil.” Pope Francis remarked that “during the period in […]
Unclean: Leprosy is a very uncomfortable disease that leaves people disfigured. Today we hear not only of Jesus coming up to the leper but actually touching him. Leprosy is contagious, but not for Jesus. He doesn’t become unclean by encountering the leper. The same can be said for our sinfulness. Jesus is not afraid to […]
Healing: This weekend our first reading is from the Book of Job. We recall how he experienced incredible sufferings and hardship in his life—even though he didn’t do anything wrong. He remarks that in the “days, months, nights, and the dawn” there is no moment which he can be free from his agony. Job pours […]
Amazed: In this Sunday’s Gospel we hear how Jesus heals a man with an unclean spirit. The people were “amazed” by what Jesus had done. Pope Francis remarked that “Jesus wasn’t allergic to people. Touching lepers, the sick did not disgust him, whereas the Pharisees — who strolled around in fine clothes — looked down […]
The Calling: This weekend we once again hear Jesus calling his disciples, this time from the Gospel of Mark. Jesus invites fishermen Peter, Andrew, James and John to abandon their nets and follow him. Pope Francis commented on this text: “God in his love prepares the way, and he prepares our lives for each of […]
Ordinary: We are now in Ordinary Time in the Liturgical year. This weekend is the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Ordinary Time began on Jan. 9). I will miss the Christmas flowers (thank you again to our wonderful liturgical environment volunteers). “What happens in our churches every Sunday is the fruit of our week. What […]