Gospel Reflections for Challenging Times

  Friday – 7 th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel – Mark 10:2-12 In Good Times and In Bad…. Wedding Chapel at Cana I have a confession to make.   I live in a divided house, and it’s been that way for over 50 years.   Ginger and I are on opposite sides of a disagreement and both of us are resolute and infinitely stubborn.   Nothing I do can change her mind and the same with her.   Most days the argument is left unspoken but it’s always there.   Day after day, I try to get Ginger to accept my point of view but it only falls on deaf ears.   And so it is with her arguments for me!   After all these years, it seems the issue will never be resolved!   You see, I’m a coffee-drinker and Ginger only drinks tea!   It seems such a minor issue but I think it is at the heart of what Jesus is addressing in today’s Gospel when He is asked about divorce.   We are meant to be together; we are meant to commit ourselves to each other. ...

  Thursday – 7 th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel – Mark 9:41-50 Heavy Lifting    Calvary Stone, Church of Holy Sepulchre As I read today’s Gospel, there is one word that resonates with me – millstones!   Millstones are huge circles of stones used to grind grain down into flour.   In the ancient world, millstones weighed hundreds of pounds.   Just imagine one of them draped around your neck.   Today’s Gospel uses them as a punishment for those who cause sin to others, especially children. But consider, if you will, the millstones that we are all shackled with.   Some are of our own making – selfishness, greed, jealousy, ambition and pettiness.   These we have deliberately chosen, and they distract us from our true mission of love and compassion.   Other millstones may have been thrust upon us – dealing with a crippling disease or loss, fear of the future or our job or finances, or worries about our country and our world. ...

  Wednesday – 7 th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel – Mark 9:38-40   God’s Mysterious Ways Mass at Capernaum I got a phone call last night from a parishioner.   Never talked to her before, never even met her!   But she wanted to offer her thanks.   Somehow, some way, in the process of hearing the proclamation of Sunday’s Gospel (turn the other cheek, forgive and you will be forgiven), she saw the light.   After a long-held grudge against someone (she was right, they were wrong), after hearing that Gospel dozens of times over the years, the light of the Word shone through!   She finally let go of the burden; she finally forgave the other person and forgave herself.   Talk about the power of the Word!   Not the words of the homily!   The Word itself! God certainly works in mysterious ways.   Just like in today’s Gospel where someone is using Jesus’ name and casting out demons.   The Apostles are upset because they we...