Reflections on the Gospel

October 10, 2021: A Reflection for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in OT, Yr B Mark 10:17-30 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me. (Mk 10:21) Jesus, you see into our hearts, all the way down to our motives and intentions. And…

October 3, 2021: A Reflection for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 10:2-16 What God has joined together, no human being must separate.  (Mk 10:9) At first glance, today’s Gospel appears to be about marriage and divorce.  But a closer look reveals that what Jesus is really trying to teach is about the Kingdom of God.  He is approached by some Pharisees whose intent is to trip…

September 26, 2021: A Reflection for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward.  (Mk 9:43) We’re all in this journey of life together, connected at the deepest level in Christ.  We are permeated with God, whether we realize it…

September 19, 2021: A Reflection for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 9:30-37 Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not be but the One who sent me. (Mark 9:37) Like a bright stream alive with music, you wash upon…

September 12, 2021: A Reflection for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 8:27-35 Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me Satan.  You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.'  (Mk 8:32-34) Jesus, you speak the deepest, most sublime and difficult things to us…

Blessed are you who are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. (Luke 1:42) Today we celebrate the assumption of Mary into the fulness of life in God – body and soul into heaven at the end of her life. In our love for you, Mary, we call to mind your privileges and they are indeed beautiful and great. But you speak…

July 25, 2021: A Reflection for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Ephesians 4:1-6 John 6:1-15 There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what good are these for so many? (John 6:9) “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what good are these for so many?” In one sense, a very practical sense, your…

February 28, 2021: A Reflection for the Second Sunday of Lent, Year B Mark 9:2-10 … he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them; from the cloud came a voice, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” (Mk 9:3, 8) Jesus, it was done unto to you. You…

February 21, 2021: A Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent, Year B Mark 1:12-15 The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert. (Mk 1:12) Into the desert. The Spirit drove you there, Jesus. From deep within, you experienced the imperative – for what? You are like us in all things but sin. Did you also, like us, feel the pull to connect with God and abide there? To descend…

February 14, 2021: A Reflection for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 1:40-45 Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him… (Mk 1:41) He sat by the side of the road, looking into the faces of the passers-by for some shred of recognition and maybe a coin or two that would provide sustenance. Most hurried by, eager to be as far as possible from…