Gospel Reflections for Challenging Times

  Thursday – 4th Week of Lent     -   revisited Gospel – John 5:31-47 Words and Works Boat Chapel, Magdala   Jesus tells the crowds that essentially this is how you see the Father – through my words and through my works. What I say and what I do give testimony to the Father. That reminds us that words are not enough. It is not enough to say we are Christian; our actions need to reflect our Christian faith. So in this time of isolation and separation, we may find it is easy for the words to come, for the time to pray! But how do we put our faith into action when we are so limited in movement. How about calling loved ones to check on their well-being? What about a live chat with that best friend? How about making “thinking of you” cards for the neighbors? How about just playing an old fashioned board game with the family or putting together a jigsaw puzzle? Simple things that reflect our love and concern! So what are you going to do today??

  Wednesday 4 th Week of Lent    -    revisited Gospel – John 5: 17-30 I Am My Father’s Son Church of St. Joseph, Nazareth I know I have shared quite a few stories about my Dad over the past year, probably repeating myself more than once as well.   But some things are worth repeating. From an early age, I worked in his country store and I learned to stock shelves, pump gas, cut grass, burn trash and give change for a $20 bill. Dad told me the last time we talked how much he regretted we didn’t have much time together, that the store took so much time that we didn’t have as many moments together as other fathers and sons.   I reminded him that, because of the store, I got to see him each and every day, more often than most other sons, and that I got to work alongside him.   And then there were the endless games of softball on Sundays, quick trips over to the store to get something mom needed, and also to grab some ice cream, and the early morning runs to Washington for sup

  Tuesday – 4th Week of Lent    -    revisited Gospel – John 5:1-16 Cure of the Sick Man On the Shores of Sea of Galilee The man in today’s Gospel is sick and needs help for even the simplest of tasks. And he has been that way for 38 years. He hasn’t just lost the ability to walk; he has lost the will to walk! How many times have we been in the same circumstance? Weighed down by the stresses of life, whether it’s physical or emotional, we just can’t move. Paralyzed by fear, anger, loss, depression, overwhelmed by the demands of a complicated life and a crazy mixed-up world, we just don’t want to move. Rather we pull the covers over our head and try to shut the world out! And yet all it took for that man was a few words from Jesus – Rise and walk! Jesus speaks those same words to us, sometimes in our prayers, sometimes in the voice of a child or a best friend. Be strong, get up and walk, lean on me if you have to, you are not alone! You are never alone!

  Monday 4 th Week of Lent – revisited 2021 Gospel – John 4:43-54 The Long and Winding Road! Palm Sunday Road, Jerusalem One year ago yesterday, the world came to a screeching halt.   Churches shut their doors!   Masses, Baptisms, weddings and funerals were cancelled!   Youth ministry, faith formation classes, schools and businesses closed!   We were all sheltering in place at home, venturing out only when absolutely necessary.   And when we did leave the safety of our home, we were masked, we sanitized our hands before, during and after, and we kept our 6 foot distance.   Grocery store lines were long and the shelves were empty. One year ago today, March 15, 2020, I posted my first on-line daily Gospel reflection.   And here we are today, 365 Gospel homilies later!   Safe to say, I had no idea how these daily musings would be received much less whether they would resonate with a world so stressed and so fearful of the future, a time filled with loss and separation.   I

  4 th Sunday in Lent Gospel – John 9:1-41 Can’t See the Forest for the Trees Blessing at Anointing Stone Church of Holy Sepulchre One evening, the whole family went out to dinner at a local restaurant.  Everyone got a menu, even the youngest, Aimee, who was 6 years old.  Since the conversation was an ‘adult’ one, Aimee sat there feeling ignored.  When the waitress took their orders, she came to Aimee last. “And, what would you like to eat, young lady?”  she asked.  Aimee answered, “I will have a hamburger, French fries and a large coke”. “No” , said her mother.  “She will have a small salad with low fat dressing, baked chicken, carrots and boiled rice”.  “And milk to drink” , chimed in her father. The waitress looked at Aimee and asked, “Would you like catsup or mustard on your hamburger”?  She said, “Catsup with some fried onions on top please.  Oh, and put a very small piece of lettuce on top to please my parents.  Thank you very much”.   Her parents sat ther