Posts

Image
  Thursday - 28 th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel – Luke 11:47-54 Once Is Not Enough Chapel of Tears, Jerusalem   I admit it!   When I was little, I had to be told multiple times before I finally got my jobs done.   Cut the grass!   Clean your room!   Brush your teeth!   Do your homework!   It took me a number of ‘reminders’ before it finally sunk in and I got around to finishing my chores.   Once was not enough. I don’t think I realized, until these past couple of days, how extended of a discourse Jesus had with the Pharisees. It was not just a one shot and done.   He went on and on at length, repeating what hypocrites they were and chastising them because their actions were at such odds with their teachings.   He condemns them for demanding strict observance of the Law from the people but they themselves flaunt the Law in their own lives.   Time and time again His harsh language calls them out as hypocrites.   ...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  Wednesday - 28 th Week in Ordinary Time - revisited Gospel – Luke 11:42-46 All For Show Tristan’s Baptism Back when I was teaching World Religions, I would have this group project where the students acted out a ritual from the religion we were studying, such as a Hindu wedding ceremony or a Buddhist meditation.   For the most part, they did a fabulous job.   But there were a couple of groups who seemed more interested in the visuals and not the substance! They got so caught up in dressing for the part, all flashy and bright, that they completely lacked any depth of understanding. They looked great but there was no ritual, no words or action.   What should have been a good half-hour presentation was over in 5 minutes.   Smoke and mirrors! Jesus continues His condemnation of the Pharisees in today’s Gospel calling them out for the same thing.   You put on a good show publicly paying your taxes for something insignificant and you choose the best sea...
Post a Comment
Read more
Image
  Tuesday - 28 th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel – Luke 11:37-41 Tea and Sympathy Dad’s Cup So this is your house-cleaning observation of the day.   Tea Stains Are The Worst!   I know this to be true from first-hand experience.   I’ve taken on a few more chores around the house these last 7 months, washing the dishes being one of them.   And trying to remove tea stains from the inside of a teacup is relentless and unending.   They never seem to go completely away.   It makes me glad I am a coffee guy; otherwise, there would be twice as many teacups to clean.   The outside of the cup – no problem!   But the inside, ugh!   I finally found a dishwasher detergent that worked perfectly.   But then I made the mistake of buying something cheaper – ugh!   Back to square 1 Given today’s Gospel, it makes me wonder if Mary had Jesus do the dishes on a regular basis.   It also makes you wonder why people would keep inviting Him...
Post a Comment
Read more