Scripture Reflections

1991

30th Sunday in Ordinary time

Fr. Ken Thesing spent many years as a missioner in East Africa, and now works in Rome. “Our scriptures often use contrasts – like the theme of darkness and light, or as we see in the readings for today’s liturgy, the theme of ‘blindness’ and ‘sight’ to show that process of growth in understanding for the disciples or for anyone who wants to follow Jesus … These are the people God brings back and restores – not just the strong, the gifted, and those who can pay for assistance but the frail and vulnerable – no one is left out.”

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28th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dave Kane, who recently left the Maryknoll lay missioners after many years (mostly in Brazil, followed by a stint at the Global Concerns office), wrote today’s reflection.

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26th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This week’s reflection is written by Maryknoll Fr. Joe Veneroso: “Our life of prayers and good works comes in response to grace, not as its pre-requisite.”

Guatemalan Woman photo by Bob Phares

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Joe Towle writes this week’s reflection, and shares some memories from his time as a missioner in Latin America.

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22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

This week’s reflection is from Sr. Madeline Dorsey, who spent many years of her mission life in war-torn El Salvador.

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21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Fr. Jack Northrup reflects on his ministry in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico: “The God of our Lord Jesus Christ is constantly drawing all of us to life, no matter what bleak prisons we may have made for ourselves. Because of God’s choice to constantly offer the free gift of grace to the most needy, we can wake from our sleep, from the illusions of happiness that this world offers. At this very moment we can choose life in its fullness.”

Photo by Moyan Brenn

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Susan Weissert, who worked as a lay missioner for many years in South America and at the Maryknoll center in New York, asks: Can we look back on our actions/words/decisions today and see that they were shaped by love of God and love of neighbor?

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19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Former lay missioner Jean Walsh shares a reflection on her time in Oaxaca, Mexico, and how the lessons from the Oaxacan farmers’ commitment to the Earth can lead us to more sustainable, integrated lives.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sr. Luise Ahrens, who has spent many years in Cambodia, writes in this week’s reflections about the challenges of living in a interconnected world … How do we make choices that are clarified by God’s wisdom? How can we live a life formed and informed by the Spirit of Jesus?

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17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In this week’s reflection, Fr. Tom Marti recalls his service in the Philippines, and that beautiful nation’s efforts to reverse the devastating ecological destruction it has experienced in recent decades.

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16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The scripture reflection for July 22 is written by Sr. Rebecca Macugay, who writes of her native Philippines and her mission home in Namibia: “How do we shepherd each other in the paths of justice, in our communities and in our home, planet earth?”

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15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This week’s reflection was written by Maryknoll lay missioner Heidi Cerneka, who works in prison ministry in Brazil.

Birth of John the Baptist

Sr. Roni Schweyen writes this week’s reflection, drawing on her years of mission work in Tanzania.

Pentecost Sunday

This week’s reflection is written by Sr. Euphrasia Nyaki, who lives and works in João Pessoa, Brazil.