Gospel Reflections for Challenging Times

  Saturday – Feast of St. Andrew Gospel – Mark 1:14-20 Who?   Me? Boat Chapel, Magdala     It’s a familiar story.   Jesus has just been baptized by His cousin John.   His ministry is just getting started.   And as He is walking along the Sea of Galilee, He calls Peter and Andrew, James and John to follow Him.   And they do!   They said yes!   Immediately!   And they leave everything behind – friends, family, work - everything!   At this point, I’m supposed to say – what about us?   Have we said YES to Jesus?   Are we willing and able to follow Jesus?   I am sure we have all heard that homily before, many times.   So let’s try something different and look at the story from Jesus’ perspective. Instead of asking whether we can answer His call, ask ourselves what leads Jesus to invite these men on the mission in the first place?   Why does Jesus pick these poor uneducated fishermen?   W...

  Friday – 34 th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel – Luke 21:29-33 Words, Words, Words Jesus’ Tomb, Church of Holy Sepulchre     As I was sitting at my computer this morning and working on today’s reflection, I happened to notice something down at the left-side bottom of the page.   It was a running count of pages and words for this document.   Over 1200 pages and over 700,000 words!   Seriously?   After over 4 ½ years of daily reflections, that total is rather overwhelming and a bit embarrassing.   How did that happen? Words!   Words!   Words!   They can be hurtful or helpful!   They can be memorable and stick in our brains.   They can be challenging, encouraging us to look at ourselves and reflect on who we are and what we need to change in our lives.   And that is what Jesus is telling us today about His words!   The world will pass away!   The sky will pass away!   We will pass away! ...

  Thursday – Day of Thanksgiving Gospel – Luke 17:11-19 Giving Thanks St. Kateri Center Chapel And so we celebrate this Day of Giving Thanks!   It is a day that recalls that event 400 years ago when the Wampanoag people (People of the First Light) shared a meal with the Pilgrims to celebrate the simple gifts of life – shelter, the fruits of the harvest, family and friends, life itself.   It was a meal that held so much promise and hope for the future but, even today, that hope for Native Americans remains unrealized and largely ignored! Forget about all the cleaning and prep work!   Forget about setting the table and assigning seats!   Forget about the appetizers and putting the bird in the oven!   Forget about the mashed potatoes and gravy!   Forget about that ‘secret’ family recipe for the green bean casserole!   Forget about the drumsticks and sweet potatoes!   Forget about the stuffing and the pumpkin pie!  ...