Sunday Reflections

Reading Jesus’s parable about the Pharisee and the tax collector reminded me of an old signature song of Tom Jones that includes the words, “O Lord, it is hard to be humble when you are perfect in every way.”  The Pharisee, although he probably would not admit this, seems to be laying out all his goodness before God.  In the face of this, what can God do but love him….after all he has “earned” or “deserved” or “merited” this love based upon all his good works! 

                The Constitutions of the Congregation of the Resurrection begin with the acknowledgment that “God loves each of us with a personal, unconditional love.”  A few sentences later, the Constitutions insist that a “life-long process is involved in our coming to know God’s unconditional love for each of us as the most fundamental fact of our lives.”  The gospel this Sunday might suggest that this life-long process will take much persistence on our pa

The images of Jesus in his parables are universal and eternal, speaking to us in every time and place.  Indeed, the mustard seed is so small, yet Jesus tells us that if we have faith it will grow and develop as large as the mulberry tree.  True faith is not only an intellectual exercise, but bears fruit in action.  Our life with God should lead us to responsible use and sharing of our gifts and talents.  Let us work on that balance of faith and action, to fulfill the will of God and to bear witness to Jesus.   

A number of years ago when I was in Peru I was part of an earthquake.  Everything shook, nothing was stable, walls came down.  Worse - there was nothing to hang onto.  There was nothing that would give hope, except we could support one another.  Lord, help my unbelief.  Have you experienced something like this in your life?  When everything is falling apart – nothing is stable, all is collapsing – what do we do?  Where does our strength and hope come from?  Health, relationships, failures – how do we cope?

                The Resurrectionist Mission Statement calls for us to “join in solidarity with people diminished by unjust structures.”  Attempts to do this would find support from the prophet Amos who, in the first reading, chastises the rich for taking care of themselves in luxurious ways, while neglecting the poor.  Similarly, our Gospel presents the challenging story of the rich man Dives, who seems to enjoy all the luxuries of the world, and the poor man Lazarus who is covered with

The gospels speak to us often of stewardship, the wise and prudent use of our time, talents and treasure.  This is a challenge for all of us.  The parable of Jesus speaks to us of stewardship gone wrong.  The steward has not been responsible, but rather has abused his power and leadership.  By following Jesus faithfully we will fulfill our responsibilities, and (Jesus tells us) we will be blessed and given more responsibility.  Let us 'count our blessings' and be responsible stewards of God's many gifts. 

A lady died and was greeted by St. Peter at the gates to heaven.  She was told that to get into heaven she would need 100 points – results of her life on earth.  However, St. Peter added up her points – so sad, she only had 18 points.  “What”, said Peter “Are you going to do?”  She smiled and responded, “I guess I will just have to rely on God’s mercy.’ “Aha,” said Peter, “That’s worth a 100 points!”  Welcome home! With mercy God’s bucket list is filled.

                 We were a hockey family growing up.  We moved when I was 13 years old, and in our new neighborhood I met teenager boys who played soccer.  Soon, I wanted to play soccer as well, but it took some convincing of my father.  I am sure he was thinking that it was just one more sport that he would have to drive one of us to play, but, in any case, he was not very enthusiastic.  His last stab at dissuading me was the comment he made with his most serious looking face: “I sure

This weekend our gospel speaks to us of the virtue of humility.  This is a significant virtue in the kingdom of God - at the top of our list - but in our society it is seen as a weakness, and is at the bottom of people's list.  Pope Francis has shown us what humility looks like in our time.  Whereas in the world people are told to 'look after number one', and that to be proud is essential, the life and teachings of Jesus show us that humility is the way to holiness in our relation with God, and  solidarity in relation to others.  Whereas pride creates ob

A man had a nightmare.  He awoke to find himself at the “pearly gates”. St. Peter asked him if he would like to look around first.  He said, “Yes.”  But as he looked around he saw some people in heaven who he thought should not be there – what a surprise!  And then he looked for some people he knew.  They were not there. What a surprise!  And then, to his surprise, HE WAS THERE!