Sunday Reflections

                 The readings this Sunday remind us of how difficult it can be to follow God’s ways, especially when God’s ways do not seem to conform to our way of seeing and doing things.  Like the princes who complained to King Zedekiah about Jeremiah, we may even want to—as we say today—shoot the messenger.  At times it is easier to criticize or sabotage the one who is making God’s ways more apparent to us than it is to listen intently and to discern how we are called

A popular developing theology in the Church today is that of Stewardship.  In the gospel today Jesus speaks to us about being responsible stewards.   His examples call to our attention the need to be vigilant and responsible.  We are entrusted with gifts, talents and treasure to be used not only for our good, but for the good of others.  Sometimes we may think that we do not have much to share, however the Lord tells us that "Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more." &n

The parable about the friend going to his neighbor late at night to ask for bread provides an interesting image of God if we think that we are the “friend” and God is the “neighbor.”  If this is the case, then it seems that we need to “bother” and “bug” God for what we need.  While this schema seems to fit with the first reading where Abraham “bothers” and “bargains” with God to save the town, it does not fit with the rest of the gospel passage.  Here, Jesus asks: “What father among you would hand h

The persons of Martha and Mary, the sisters of Lazarus, make me think of these famous lines of Shakespeare’s Hamlet – “To be or not to be”.  Martha is hoping Jesus will support her in telling her sister Mary to help her with the hospitality towards the many guests in their home.  Instead (much to her disappointment, I can imagine) Jesus tells Martha that Mary “has chosen the better part”.  Mary is all about ‘being’, and Martha is all about ‘doing’.  Mary is the image of the classical disciple, seated at the feet

Jesus sends the disciples out in pairs to proclaim that the Kingdom of God is at hand.  The disciples are preparing places for Jesus, who is, indeed, the presence of God.  So, God’s reign or God’s presence is near at hand for all these people, as it has been for every person that Jesus has healed of sickness, freed from a demon, or welcomed back into God’s people from the margins of society.  Interestingly, the disciples experience much joy in this proclamation.  Like the disciples, the earth itself is rejoicing, something which is reflected in the resp

  The call of Jesus is powerful and direct.  However, in our human condition, our response can be weak and confused.  Fortunately, Jesus continues to call, continues to try ‘to get through’ to us.  He is calling us to a deeper life with him, and to go beyond that, to share his life with others.  After we push aside all the excuses (like those in the gospel) we are left with the question, “Will I follow him?”  God would not ask us to do something  if he did not give us the graces to carry out what he asks.  So, … what are

A man was running down the concourse, late for his train.  On the way he accidentally bumped into a child selling apples.  The apples went all over the place.  The man stopped, missed his train, and helped the little boy gather up his fruit.  He then gave the child $20.  “God would take care,” he said.  The little boy was so amazed – “God would take care,” said the other passengers.  The child, seeing his windfall asked, “Was that man Jesus?”  Everyone laughed, but the man asked himself: not if he was Jesus bu

There is, of course, something ironic in the gospel reading for this weekend.  Simon is thinking to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him; that she is a sinner.”  Jesus is indeed a prophet, which he demonstrates by responding aloud to what Simon has been thinking!  He points out that this sinful woman has carried out all the measures of hospitality that Simon himself, as host, did not carry out.  Jesus points out that she must have been forgiven much because she loves much.  In