Gospel Reflections for Challenging Times

  Wednesday – 13 th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel – Matthew 8:28-34 The Demons Inside Mount Precipice, outside Nazareth Back when Ginger and I were first dating, I decided to take her to see the movie “The Exorcist”.   It was an unsettling and terrifying experience.   And being the gentleman I was (still am), I decided to accompany her home even though it was in the opposite direction of my apartment.   Truth be told, being a gentleman had absolutely nothing to do with it.   I was just as unnerved by the movie and had no desire to be by myself any longer than necessary. While they may not be the sort that we saw in the Exorcist, we are all, in some way, fighting demons.   They may be in the form of addictions to alcohol or drugs.   They may be painful moments from the past that haunt us daily and prevent us from moving forward.   They may be unhealthy personal relationships that we just don’t have the strength to break away from.   They may be habits like anger or selfishness

  Tuesday – Feast of Sts. Peter and Paul Gospel – Matthew 16:13-19 Who Are You? Church of St. Peter Primacy, Sea of Galilee Who are you?   No, I don’t mean the theme song from CSI!   I mean, if someone asked you who you are, how would you answer?   Some would respond simply with their name.   Others might say I’m a father, a wife, a son, grandma, cousin, or friend.   Still others might say teacher, police officer, carpenter, lawyer, nurse, student, bus driver, web designer, or athlete. No matter what the answer, each response speaks of a relationship, a connection to others.   Each response ties us to others in unique and personal ways.   None of us live in isolation; we all live in relationship with others. Jesus asks a similar question in today’s Gospel.   Who do people say I am?   Some say John the Baptist reborn, or Elijah or Jeremiah or a prophet.   Jesus then asks - who do YOU say I am?   And it’s Peter who responds – You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!   P

  Monday – 13 th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel – Matthew 8:18-22 Weary Bones Musicians at Jaffa Gate, Jerusalem Are you tired?   No energy and no drive?   I don’t mean sleepy, not that kind of tired.   I mean exhausted, can’t lift a finger or move a muscle.   Down to the bone weary! Is it any wonder after these past 15 months of stress, fear and separation?   It seems like we can’t find the strength to do even the simplest of tasks. That seems to be what we hear in today’s Gospel.   “Foxes have dens and birds have nests.   But the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”   You can just hear the weariness in Jesus’ words.   And is it any wonder?   Moving from town to town, healing and preaching, curing illness and raising the dead!   And it never ends!   And yet somehow Jesus always finds the strength, need I say faith, to continue and carry on to the next town.   Our parish said our farewells to our pastor yesterday as he offered his final Mass.   We then gathered ou

  13 th Sunday in Ordinary Time Gospel – Mark 5:21-43 Touchy!   Touchy! Raising of Jairus’ Daughter, Magdala Almost 3 years ago, a good friend and fellow parishioner passed away from cancer.   He was an all-around handyman and volunteer at St. Roberts.   You could always count on him to jump in and help out, especially when it came to anything related to wood-working or carpentry.   Frank always reminded me a lot of my grandfather who was a master carpenter.   There was one thing you could always expect from Frank – a big smile and a warm handshake.   I don’t mean a simple perfunctory and quick clasping of hands.   I mean a hearty, two-handed, grip like you mean it, firm and slightly crushing handshake.   When Frank shook your hand, you knew it was coming from his heart and soul!   It meant something special to him and he wanted you to know how special you were to him! We all know the value and meaning of gestures like that.   That pat on the back that encourages!   That

  Saturday – 12 th Week in Ordinary Time   6/26     (revisited) Gospel – Matthew 8:5-17 Words, Words, Words Nazareth Synagogue Back in the 1960’s and early 1970's, my dad and I did not see eye to eye about the Vietnam War.   But it was only many years later when we were chatting on the phone that the disagreement was resolved.   In just a few simple words, he told me “You were right, I was wrong.”   Those words remain in my memory and heart to this day.   Words!   They can cut to the heart of the matter or they can cut a relationship in two.   They can bring comfort, hope, encouragement, support, and love.   But they can also be the source of anger, hatred, jealousy, disinterest and despair.   They can bring unity and peace or division and resentment.   They can bring faith and healing. We all know this to be true.   The kind word when we are in pain.   The words of encouragement from a teacher that emboldens us to move forward.   The gentle words of a loving p