Gospel Reflections for Challenging Times

  Monday First Week of Advent Gospel – Matthew 8:5-11 Words, Words, Words Entering Capernaum Back in the 1960’s and early 1970’s, my dad and I did not see eye to eye about the Vietnam War. It got so bad that I told him that, if I was drafted, I would not serve.   His response?   Well that is your decision but then you would no longer be my son!     Tough times!   Tough words!   I was never drafted but the hurt feelings persisted!   And it was only many years later when we were chatting on the phone that the issue was resolved.   In just a few simple words, he told me “You know that whole Vietnam War thing; well, 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, division and despair.   They can bring unity or resentment.

  First Sunday of Advent Gospel – Luke 21:25-28,34-36 Signs and Omens The Walls of Jerusalem Years ago one of my best friends passed away after a long and painful battle with cancer.   On that last day, his wife called me from the hospital and asked me to pick up their 3 little girls from school and bring them to say their last goodbyes.   Needless to say, it was a difficult drive and a painful conversation. After we arrived, we all gathered around his bedside and said prayers and farewells as he slowly took his last breath.   Did we know that day was coming?   Of course!   Were we prepared?   Hardly!   Are we ever really and fully prepared? Endings are hard no matter the circumstances.   Some endings take us completely unawares, like my Dad’s passing.   It comes out of nowhere and hits us like a lightning bolt.    Other endings we know are coming. We see the signs and yet we remain completely unprepared and devastated!   Case in point, we just celebrated our first Than