The opening line from today’s reading from 2nd Corinthians is quite a profound assertion by Paul, “Such confidence we have through Christ toward God.” We certainly did not earn that confidence. It is a gift of grace bestowed on us by God in Christ. It gives us the ability to cry out, “Abba,” knowing with […]

In today’s Gospel we are invited into a vineyard in which the vine grower cuts and prunes the vines to grow more and better fruit. Jesus identifies himself as the vine and his followers the branches. The followers draw their life from him. His focus is on how the branches of the pruned vine die […]

“You cannot imprison the word of the lord.” The above quote is taken from Leonard Bernstein’s musical piece, “The Mass.” This haunting refrain in Bernstein’s piece is a belief that echoes throughout the New Testament and far beyond as the Word of God is continually persecuted, attacked, and rebuffed, and yet triumphs. In today’s first […]

How often have we read and reflected on this post-resurrection appearance with its Eucharistic undertones. In this reflection I would like to focus on one line that is often passed over, “but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.” Suppose that this “blindness” to Jesus was not imposed on the disciples from outside. Perhaps there […]

“If you remain in my word, you will be my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” This promise of the power of truth drew me further in John’s Gospel to Jesus before Pilate. In response to Pilate’s question, Jesus responds, “I came into the world for this; […]

In today’s first reading, Moses’ acclamation to the people as they are gathered to hear the statutes and decrees is indeed a profound one. “For what great nation is there that has gods so close to it as the Lord, our God is to us whenever we call upon him?” This is the God who, […]

There are two themes that run through today’s reading from the prophet Jonah, and both are worth our reflection. The first is the sort of whimsical story of Jonah’s trials. God sends him on a mission to convert the Ninevites. If they refuse to reform, God would destroy them. Jonah had no love for the […]

Today’s reflection has been the most difficult one for me to write. I read and reflected on the text of the gospel many times. The scene is unusual. Apparently the disciples hear about a man who is casting out demons in Jesus’ name and he is not part of their company. They seemed to be […]

In today’s first reading we are introduced to a God who creates the environment of the earth filled with beauty and goodness. God creates and places the first man into this Eden and invites him to cultivate and enjoy this world with but one caveat: he was not to eat of the tree of the […]

In today’s reading we see a man with a withered hand standing in front of Jesus on the Sabbath. Just before this incident in Mark’s gospel, the religious leaders asked Jesus why his disciples were not following the required fast, and then they confronted him that his disciples were picking and eating corn on the […]