Gospel Reflections for Challenging Times

  Friday after Ash Wednesday First Reading – Isaiah 58:1-9a Giving Up and Giving! Caiphas’ House, Jerusalem Be honest!   When we were younger, we all did this during Lent.   We gave up something we liked – chocolate, TV (back when it was the only viewing option),   desserts, etc.   And it hurt!   And then we spent those 40 days moaning and groaning to anyone with ears – this hurts, why did I do this.   We wore our ‘fasting’ like a sweater for all to see (and hear)!   We made it sound like fasting was all about ME! Isaiah makes it clear in the first reading!   It is not about ME; it’s about US!   Is this the manner of fasting I wish, of keeping a day of penance: That a man bow his head like a reed and lie in sackcloth and ashes? Do you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; Setting free the oppressed, brea...

  Thursday after Ash Wednesday Gospel – Luke 9:22-25 Choose! Via Dolorosa, Jerusalem We all have our crosses to bear!   Some are health-related; some deal with family or job issues!   We all carry a number of crosses or burdens daily.   Many of them we never asked for; honestly, many of them we complain about on a daily basis.   Some days our crosses are heavier than others.   Some days we stumble from their weight and feel like giving up.   And some days we feel like we are carrying multiple crosses.   Some days they make us angry, resentful, confused and exhausted. Some days we get impatient or consider just giving up! What Jesus is reminding us in today’s Gospel is that, if we want to follow Him, if we want to be His disciple, we must take up the cross!   We must CHOOSE to take up the cross daily!   We must be willing to accept the burden as we journey toward eternal life.   Will that be easy?   Of course not!...

  Ash Wednesday Gospel – Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Two Wolves Capernaum, along the Sea of Galilee I know I’ve told this story before but it seems rather appropriate for today.   A young Cherokee boy came to his Grandfather, filled with anger at another boy who had done him an injustice.   The old Grandfather said to his grandson, "Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and hate does not hurt your enemy. Hate is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times."   "It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one wolf is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offence when no offence was intended.   That wolf is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. But the ot...

  Tuesday 7 th Week in Ordinary Time Gospel – Mark 9:30-37 I’m the Greatest; No, I Am! Peter’s House, Capernaum A little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strutted through the backyard, wearing his baseball cap and toting a ball and bat. “I’m the greatest hitter in the world,” he announced. Then, he tossed the ball into the air, swung at it, and missed. “Strike One!” he yelled. Undaunted, he picked up the ball and said again, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!” He tossed the ball into the air. When it came down he swung again and missed. “Strike Two!” he cried out. The boy then paused a moment to examine his bat and ball carefully. He spit on his hands and rubbed them together. He straightened his cap and said once more, “I’m the greatest hitter in the world!” Again he tossed the ball up in the air and swung at it. He missed. “Strike Three!” “Wow!” he exclaimed. “I’m the greatest pitcher in the world!” We all want to the best at something; we a...