Sunday Reflections

Unfortunately, in our human condition, it is a temptation toward minimalism.  It may take the form of a student who wants to do as little work as possible, but to reap the rewards of serious study.  Or the adult, who also allows minimalism to enter into his workplace ethics, and (even worse) his interpersonal relationships.  The words of Jesus in the gospel may surprise us, because He calls us beyond a minimalism to see the full ramifications and consequences of our words and actions.  He calls us to the fullness of life, as this minimalism is holding us back, enslaving

            The Resurrectionist Charism Statement reminds all the members of the Congregation of the Resurrection that they are called “to BE community, which is a living sign of the gospel values or justice, truth and love.”  This sentence suggests that the gospel values need to be embodied in some way so that they will be VISIBLE for others to SEE.  Jesus maintains the same thing in the gospel today when he urges his disciples to be light for the world and salt of the earth.  Interestingly, this admonition come

The feast today shows Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus to God in the Temple after Christ’s birth.  They do so with a proper sacrifice according to their Jewish Faith by presenting their newly-born Son to God, the Source of All Life.

The ministry of John the Baptist was to call us out of darkness, and prepare us for the light of Christ.  What a beautiful image!  This darkness of sin enslaves us, and the light of Christ – His love and truth – liberate us and make us truly free as children of God.  In the gospel Jesus calls His first disciples.  In this ‘Ordinary Time’ Jesus will continue to call us to be his disciples, to follow him and his ‘discipline’ in order to share more fully in his light and life, and to share it with others.  Just as coming into the light has transformed us, we know and b

The Church has returned to Ordinary Time this week after the celebration of the wonder of Christ’s birth, his revelation to the nations and the relationship with the Father that he opened his heart to at his baptism in the Jordan.

The readings during Ordinary Time focus on God’s people being sent forth into the world to proclaim the Good News that Christ has come among us. The Spirit that rested on Jesus at his baptism that called him forth to build his kingdom is the Spirit we have been given in baptism to further that mission that he left us.

Note:As you read today’s Scriptures’ texts of the Liturgy, please leave behind what you know about the Sacrament of Baptism for a moment.  The Sacrament removes all sin and sinfulness on our part as we become children of God (see the Prayer After Communion).  Obviously Christ does not need the Sacrament as we all do because He is perfect.  Christ’s Baptism is a powerful statement and proclamation on His part to every one of us that He wants to become intimately close to each of us and to all of us.  Please sense here how hungry Christ is for e

Some people are star gazers, those who know the celestial patterns.  Such were the Magi.  That star gazing led them to Bethlehem, and to the child wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manger.  The star told them that here was born the King of the Jews.  This great feast allows us to also be star gazers, and to come to the Christ Child, bearing the gift of ourselves, not gold, frankincense and myrrh.  The Epiphany celebrates that the coming of the Lord Jesus is for all people, beginning with the adoration of Him by these three pagans.  This is a challeng

Especially at this time of year, I suspect that most of us have savored the fruits of a “family recipe,” whether an appetizer, main course, or dessert. Even if the ingredients are not a secret, we know that each and every one of them contributes to the food that we look forward to preparing and eating. St. Paul, in our second reading, provides us with the ingredients that make for a “family recipe” that produces good and generous relationships that we can also savor.

Especially at this time of year, I suspect that most of us have savored the fruits of a “family recipe,” whether an appetizer, main course, or dessert. Even if the ingredients are not a secret, we know that each and every one of them contributes to the food that we look forward to preparing and eating. St. Paul, in our second reading, provides us with the ingredients that make for a “family recipe” that produces good and generous relationships that we can also savor.

We are coming to the end of this beautiful and joyful season of Advent which stresses how much God wants to be with us in unceasing Love.  Advent is part of the Liturgical Year’s Christmas Cycle.

According to the new Ordo (page 13), the four weeks of Advent are divided into two stages: