Gospel Reflections for Challenging Times

  Saturday – 21st Week in Ordinary Time Gospel – Matthew 25:14-30 Using Our Talents Wisely Grotto of St. Jerome, Bethlehem                                                                                                                             An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building busines...

Friday – St. Augustine Gospel - Matthew 25:1-13 Tough Love Church of Peter Primacy, Sea of Galilee I think we have all been there.   It’s Friday and there is a big test today in our worst subject.   But for one reason or another, we didn’t study; we didn’t fully prepare for it.   We either figured it was no big deal, or we had better things to do the night before – like spending hours on our Xbox or binging our favorite show.   And then reality hits us in the face when we come face to face with the test.   We look around for help, a hint, anything that could get us through the mess that we created!   In the end, we failed the test, miserably!   Later on, we yell at our friends for not bailing us out, for not helping us with a cheat or two.   Some friend you are!   We think that somehow they are responsible for the mess that we ourselves created! I think that’s what’s happening today in the Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins. ...

  Thursday – St. Monica Gospel - Matthew 24:24-51 Ready?   Set!   Go! Caesarea Philippi Remember that first day of school when we were little?   Maybe we were excited?   Maybe upset that the summer was over?   Maybe glad that we get to see our friends again?   Maybe nervous about a new teacher, new classes, new homework!   But do you remember all the work, all the preparation that our parents went through to get us ready for that day?   Shopping for school supplies, new clothes!   Trips to the grocery store for extra food to make for school lunches!   Maybe even getting us up early weeks before school started so that we were back on schedule.   Our parents probably spent weeks getting us ready for that first day of school.    And for many of you, you were doing exactly the same thing this week, getting your kids ready for school So much preparation!   And why do we do it?   Because we love our kids a...