Gospel Reflections for Challenging Times

  Monday – 13 th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel – Matthew 8:18-22 Weary Bones Heiskell, TN The amount of local wildlife continues to amaze and energize us here in Tennessee. Last year it was just a single woodchuck; now it’s a family of 4 with burrows in a number of places, although not good for the garden. Young deer prancing around in the morning!   Dozens of varieties of birds!   And now apparently a couple of red foxes are making their den near the old barn (not a good thing for the future chicken coop).   And that doesn’t even include the domestic livestock – horses, mules, cows, sheep!   Life is ‘full of life’!   Everyone in their place and a place for everyone! 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 lik...

  Sunday– 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, friend.   Still others might say teacher, police officer, carpenter, lawyer, nurse, student, bus driver, web designer, 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 relationships 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 – Yo...

  Saturday - 12 th Week in Ordinary Time     Gospel – Matthew 8:5-17 Words, Words, Words   Capernaum   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 mov...