Christians believe God’s love is displayed in the life and death of Jesus. At the Sunday Eucharist they rejoice in this love, and celebrate the victory over sin and death won for them. God’s challenging word is read and the Bread of Life shared by all who gather.
Today’s Scriptures send out two quite different signals about the future. Zechariah’s prophecy is strong in symbolic expressions of hope, while Jesus speaks bluntly and sternly about his death. Without the sobering reminder of death, the hopes expressed by the prophecy might deserve the
All of life’s stages are represented in today’s texts. Even though each of us individually may identify with only one of these stages at this particular moment, we must come to a peaceful acceptance of our past and we need to prepare in advance for what lies ahead. Moreover as each of us lives in
People can be faced with economic confusion, as reflected in the prophecy of Haggai; or again their religion may consist of mere curiosity, born of moral confusion, as was the case with Herod the tetrarch. But no situation is hopeless, for the Bible is not the story of sin and hell but of sin and conversion.
Eph 4:1-7,11-13. Of the many gifts of God to the Church, the apostles are of the foremost importance for the spread of the faith.
Mt 9:9-13. The call of the tax-collector, to be an apostle.
Today’s Reading shows in what a variety of ways the will of God is made known and accomplished. Ezra refers to imperial decrees from the Persian kings Cyrus and Darius, messages of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah (which will begin later this week), and financial help from Persian taxes, as supporting the sanctuary liturgy and the functions of priests and Levites.
Jesus’ word about the lampstand is clear, though startling in its implications; his next word, however, about having and gaining, or not-having and losing even that little, is enigmatic and baffling, like so many of the best proverbs in the sapiential literature.
“Seek the Lord while he may be found” is one side of today’s readings. The other facet of the coin is that God’s mercy is beyond measure, so that even those who come late to his vineyard will be welcomed by his infinite love. We all have some reason to identify with those workers of the eleventh hour,
The unusual parable of the payment of workers in the vineyard is told in the Gospel of today’s Mass. It challenges those who gather for worship to see that ‘God’s ways are not our ways. God’s love and generosity are beyond our understanding.’
A divine potential simmers in the depths of each human being. Both Jesus and his apostle Paul compare it to a seed, buried in the ground. Looking at the seed before it is planted, one hardly suspects what a flower is to develop from it. The process by which the seed “dies” or disintegrates within the earth
Contrasting with the sombre reading from Timothy, is the tone of enthusiasm, hope and achievement in today’s Gospel story. While the Gospel has more appeal, the other text also have its necessary place in church life. Sometimes we need to be sobered up from intense excitement.
The Seven Sorrows of Mary are a popular devotion in the Catholic Church. There is a devotional prayer which consists of meditation on her Seven Sorrows. They are events in the life of the Blessed Virgin Mary which are a popular devotion and are frequently depicted in art. . Also, there is a corresponding devotion to the Seven Joys of Mary.
It might seem an anachronism, trying to celebrate our passion for life while stressing the victory of the Cross, a sordid instrument of death. We’ve declared our position regarding torture and the
1 Tim 3:1ff. The qualities of bishop, deacon and deaconess – hospitable, respected, truthful, good managers.
Lk 7:11ff. Jesus raises to life the dead son of a widow at Naim. The people respond with awe.
If we read today’s scriptural selection in reverse, beginning with the Gospel, and then First Timothy, we detect stages of development in church leadership. In the Gospel, at the sight of
1 Tim 2:1ff. Prayers for the civil authorities that life may be peaceful, since God desires the good of all.
Lk 7:1ff. The Roman centurion has greater faith than all Israel and receives from Jesus the cure of his servant.
Different sides of the Church’s mission are seen in today’s texts.
It is false to celebrate our God as the Lord of compassion and love, unless we show mercy to those who have wronged us. Today’s Gospel calls us to forgive others as Christ forgives us. Some of the finer minds among the Old Testament writers already perceived this connection:
The anniversary of the attack on New York falls on a Sunday this year —and it coincides with Mass readings that focus on forgiveness as a Christian virtue. In the liturgy this Sunday, those who gather for worship will celebrate God’s mercy, and ask for the grace to pass it on to those who cause hurt.
1 Tim 1:15ff. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. Anyone – even Paul – can have the grace of conversion.
Lk 6:43ff. The house of faith built securely on rock, survives the flood.
A centre for our meditation today is how Jesus Christ displays his infinite patience .
A centre for our meditation today is how Jesus Christ displays his infinite patience . Patience is the virtue of that person who has built on rock. When evil times hit, when the heavens pour down uncontrollable floods, that house remains standing if it is built with deep foundations in the rocky subterrain.
The readings centre mostly on leadership but their application reaches out to all human relationships. Very positively too we are asked to interact with one another, not so much as superior to inferior but as recognizing the unique gift of each person. It is because of diversity of strength and grace that problems arise and helpful direction is necessary.
