Sunday Reflections

In our readings this Sunday there is an underlying theme of perseverance that has three unique expressions. In our first reading Abraham and Sarah persevered in bringing a longing for land and offspring to God for many decades. Through a covenant made to them in a time of God's choosing the deepest longings of their hearts come to pass. 

Written by Dee Sproule - Apostle of the Resurrection

To live a life in union with Jesus Christ is never easy, because He will continually call us to ‘be’ and ‘do’ more.  The call to conversion is constant, calling us to a greater perfection in our faithfully following of Jesus.  Jesus challenges in the gospel to this task.  The many images he uses call us to renewal and change.  We are to learn from Him.  The First Reading from the Book of Sirach also introduces others image of change.  The use of the image of the sieve calls us to leave behind “the rubbish” and embrace the love and truth of God.  We are to

Part of the Charism Statement for the Congregation of the Resurrection reads: “We believe that God’s love for us is merciful and unfailing. We have not earned his love. We are nothing, have nothing, and can do nothing without God. We are attracted to evil. We are sinners. Yet, God continues to draw us to himself.”

Our world today is confused and confusing.  What the world tells us makes us happy, is not on the list of gospel values that lead to true happiness.  In fact some of the things most looked down upon in our society – humility, forgiveness, compassion, generosity, dependence – are high on the list that the Lord proclaims not only by his teaching, but by his life, suffering, death and resurrection.  I am sure that those who listened to Jesus on that day were also confused, as he proclaimed the reward that awaited the “poor, “hungry”, those “who weep”, and those “hated”.  Eq

The readings today take us from the sublime to the mundane; from the six-winged Seraphs singing around a heavenly throne, to the down to earth smells and sounds of a fishing boat on the lake of Gennesaret. They have one thing in common, though: In each reading, God has called someone, asking them to do the work of building God’s kingdom on earth.

In our human condition it is easy to feel rejected.   When we base our ‘worth’ or ‘value’ on things like how much money we have, or what we possess, or how we look, it is easy to feel in last place like a ‘loser’, and feel rejected by the ‘winners’.  Jeremiah, and the prophets experienced rejection, as they were called by God to often give ‘bad news’ to the people of God, calling them back to faithfulness to the covenant.  There was no line-up behind them to be prophets.  Jesus experienced rejection by not only the religious leaders of his time and place, but by eve

The last verses from the Prophet Malachi, which concludes the Old Testament, looks forward to the “Day of the Lord.” This is the long-awaited day of salvation. It is the day when God will turn the hearts of fathers and mothers to their sons and daughters, and the hearts of sons and daughters to their fathers and mothers. This day will be a day of peace and of great rejoicing for God will visit God’s people!

The reading from John 2 is very well known and certainly a profound example of one of Jesus's many spiritual gifts.  But as Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians every one of us has received at least one gift from the Holy Spirit be it: wisdom, faith, healing, and prophecy to name just a few.  Our challenge regarding these gifts is two-fold.  First of all we should be discerning (through in part asking the Holy Spirit) which of our gifts is called for in a specific situation and how should we employ it.  Second of all and especially regarding those who we may not hold in high

There usually comes a time in one’s life when one asks “Who am I?”  Our response is dependent, greatly, upon not only what we have discovered, but what other people have told us about who we are.  In our gospel today, Jesus hears who He is.  The voice of the Father proclaims: “This is my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased”.  Indeed, he was the Son of God, and He came to fulfill the will of the Father.  Our First Reading, from the Prophet Isaiah, speaks so beautifully about how we are “endowed with His spirit” and “formed” us, to become who He has created us to