The Parable of the Prodigal Son, this Sunday’s gospel reading, is a story so familiar that it is easy to feel immune to both the breadth and depth of its message. It is the story of three people, a father and his two sons, and the actions and reactions of each of them in an…
This reflection was published as part of the Lenten Reflection Guide: A Jubilee of Hope. There are two terrible tragedies: the Romans kill Galileans at a religious festival on the Temple grounds, and then a tower wall collapses crushing 18 people to death in Siloam. Miles away from Jerusalem, however, the crowd with Jesus feels…
This reflection was published as part of the Lenten Reflection Guide: A Jubilee of Hope. In Myanmar, it is difficult for people to count on a steady income, land, even food or education. When their families, clan or communities cannot meet their basic needs, they rely on their faith in God and their deeply ingrained…
This reflection was published as part of the Lenten Reflection Guide: A Jubilee of Hope. The devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world in a single instant. The devil said to Jesus, “I shall give you all this power and the glory… All this will be yours, if you worship me.” But Jesus…
This reflection was published as part of the Lenten Reflection Guide: A Jubilee of Hope. Today’s readings call the community of believers to pious communal actions demonstrating penitence and prayer for God’s deliverance. The admonitions against hypocrisy indicate that it is not the actions that are criticized but the underlying motivation for doing them. Almsgiving,…
The images in Sirach and Luke’s Gospel in this Sunday’s readings create quite a mosaic collection of ‘fullness of heart’. The rhythm of winnowing, a potter’s preparation, and gathering fruit are not lofty images; they have been normal tasks for so many. What are we missing as symbols where we are and in the midst…
The people praised David for his bravery in defeating and slaying Goliath. We know through scripture that King Saul was very jealous of David’s success and eventually sought to kill him. David had to run. But, in today’s reading, David is given the chance to turn the tide and slay King Saul. He refuses to…
Last year at a social event where I was bored making small talk, I spotted a black man wearing a t-shirt that read, “Get your knee off my neck.” Assuming he might be a firebrand with interesting things to say, I struck up a conversation with him. It turned out he was a professor at…
One theme from today’s Scripture readings appears crystal clear – Call. Today’s sacred stories also seem clear about the circumstances in which the Call was given and received; Isaiah, Paul, and Simon experienced something extraordinary. They couldn’t miss hearing God’s voice in unusual external events, and they probably couldn’t say no. Isaiah was confronted by…
Available for Service and Mission Today the Church celebrates the Lord’s Presentation. The narrative is only found in Luke’s gospel. It was Jewish Law that the first-born son belonged to God and had to be “bought back” from God forty days after birth. Thus, today, forty days after Christmas, Mary and Joseph, faith-filled Jews, bring…
In the readings for this week, the “body” and the “spirit” are mentioned multiple times. What a juxtaposition! In mainstream Western culture, we idolize the body. How we look, how much we weigh, how we feel, (or at least how we are supposed to feel according to our wearable devices,) all lead us to obsess…
Our first reading describes God’s covenant with his people through a marital metaphor, in which God is the bridegroom and the people are the bride. Isaiah says: “No more shall people call you ‘Forsaken,’ or your land ‘Desolate,’ but you shall be called ‘My Delight.’” This is truly an amazing way of thinking. Our creator,…
In today’s gospel, a contrast is presented between the baptism that John the Baptist did in the Jordan, a baptism of repentance, and the baptism that Jesus would offer, one of the Holy Spirit and fire. We skip over the verses in Luke chapter 3, where the imprisonment of John is narrated, because of his…
Expect the Unexpected My husband, three kids, and I have been serving as Maryknoll lay missioners in Tanzania, East Africa for the past two years. I work as a nurse and help coordinate healthcare for children with disabilities. The children and families I work with on a weekly basis live very much on the margins…
Once, when I was very small, my mom washed my mouth out with soap. Those of you who remember more traditional forms of child-rearing will recall this custom. To others, I must explain: she had caught me using a ‘bad word’ and washing mouths with soap was the traditional remedy. I do not remember the…
Some years ago, I was browsing through a clothes rack in a department store when a woman suddenly darted by me in great distress, looking here, there, and at no one in particular. “My little girl, have you seen my little girl? Where is, she was, where?” Mouthing monosyllables in her frenzy, she darted off…
This reflection was originally published in the 2024 Advent Reflection Guide: One Family of God. “And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” LUKE 1:43 Sometimes an encounter with a person fills me with wonder and gratitude and opens my heart to a long-lasting friendship. It…
This reflection was originally published in the 2024 Advent Reflection Guide: One Family of God. God indeed is my salvation; I am confident and unafraid. ISAIAH 12:2 What should we do? A people “filled with expectation” pose this question to John the Baptist. How often do our own hearts burn with the same question? Look…
