Maryknoll Seminarian Joe Odundo in Chicago reflects on God’s temple. One of my favorite African theologians, John Mbiti, said in his book, African Religion and Philosophy, “Africans are notoriously religious.” This is neither an exaggeration nor a coincidence. Regardless of the religion people convert to, wherever Africans are, they carry their religiosity with them. This…
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Kathy Bond reflects on God’s love for us all. “Brothers and sisters: Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5) Today’s second reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans speaks to us…
Maryknoll Sr. Maureen Hanahoe reflects on God’s merciful love. How do we evaluate the quality of our lives? Is it through our comparison with others and a sense of self- righteousness, or is it through the willingness to accept who we are with honesty and transparency, embracing both our strengths and limitations, knowing we are…
Maryknoll Fr. Joseph Healey works with small Christian communities in Africa and online. He invited members of one such community, the St. Isidore of Seville International Online Small Christian Community, with members in Ireland, Kenya, Tanzania and the United States, to write this week’s reflection. Here is a personal witness story. I am 22-year-old Mary…
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Sarah Bueter reflects on the power of God’s grace. In this week’s readings, those explicitly on the “outside”–the Syrian, the Samaritan, the foreigner– show us that God desires healing for all, and teach us about a faith that “saves”—a surrender of the self, a disposition of humility and trust, and gratitude that…
Maryknoll Sr. Leonor Montiel reflections on God’s vision of love. The first reading and the gospel for the twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time provide us a glimpse of the reality of the people at the time. The first reading mentions violence, destruction, discord, strife and misery. The gospel describes a world of servants and masters…
Maryknoll Fr. Frank Breen reflects on the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. Today’s gospel from Luke, about the rich man and Lazarus the poor man, is one of many passages that highlight a major thematic issue in Luke, namely the relationship between wealth and poverty. The gospels in general do not give a…
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Gabe Hurrish in South Sudan reflects on the Parable of the Unjust Steward. Today’s Sunday readings struck me right in the face. I live in South Sudan where almost everything written in the readings resonates with the current struggles of the people. The leaders of this extremely poor East African country have…
Returned Maryknoll Lay Missioner Kathy McNeely tells a story from Guatemala. We all have our stories. These stories are shaped by our cultural experience, by what our parents teach us and by the way we choose to respond to the world around us. While living and working in Guatemala among indigenous Qeqchi’ people the stories I…
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Julie Lawler in Cambodia reflects on the need to retreat and re-center on God’s call. Today’s gospel reading leads us to reflect on and examine our priorities. What is most important? It is hard to choose between God and other commitments, but God is inviting us to choose God above all else,…
Maryknoll Fr. John Siyumbu reflects on the gift of encountering God in new ways when experiencing racial and cultural differences. I lived in Cochabamba, Bolivia, as part of my formation and preparation for ordination to the Maryknoll missionary priesthood. Having lived with the Dazas, a wonderful host family, during my language school program, I moved…
Who is saved? Jesus was asked if the saved will be many or a few. “You might be surprised,” Jesus responds. Don’t be too sure of yourself. There is a door in today’s gospel story; it is open for some, and closed for others. Strangely, those who are the most confident of entering the house…
Maryknoll Sister Mary Ellen Manz reflects on God’s call to care for the earth, our common home. When I read today’s Scripture readings, at first I found them rather grim, but it didn’t take too much thinking about it for me to realize how very appropriate they are for us in our world, today. …
Today’s readings made me ask myself, “What exactly is faith?” How would you define faith? Christians often reference Hebrews 11:1 which offers this explanation: “Faith is confident assurance concerning what we hope for, and conviction about things we do not see.” This raises the question, “How confident is my assurance concerning what I hope for?”…
“Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” I have a vivid recollection of what moved me to realize my calling to dedicate myself to God’s service as a religious sister some 41 years ago. It relates well to the readings this Sunday….
Maryknoll Lay Missioner Heidi Cerneka reflects on the Gospel call to respond to our neighbors in need.
This Sunday’s gospel story of Mary and Martha has long been one of the passages of scripture I have identified with the most. Martha complains to Jesus that her younger sister, Mary, has chosen to sit at his feet listening to him instead of assisting in the chores of serving their guest. “Tell her to…
Our readings today are concerned with interpretation. The phrase “it is not in heaven” from Deuteronomy (30:12) served as a kind of watch-word for the ancient rabbis. There is a famous story in the Talmud of a discussion concerning proper ritualistic behavior. Rabbi Eleazar called forth a series of miracles and finally a heavenly voice…
