Jim Wayne

When we decide to emotionally detach ourselves from all we cling to for safety and meaning, we open ourselves to a liberated life lived for God.

Something is radically changing. The lid on the church’s powerful social teachings, rooted in the commands of Jesus, is being blown off.

Jesus’ prophetic mission statement in the synagogue is our mission statement, for we are his body in our moment in history.

In deep prayer, we let us open our hearts to God, seeking guidance on how best to respond to the command “Give them some food yourselves.”

Today’s readings call us to pay attention to what God wants us to see. To do so, we must look in the correct direction.

We are called to notice where and when a merciful God is present in our lives.

But God did work as God always does: He touched deep inside a Samaritan’s heart to do the work of God, to provide healing.

Today’s Gospel selection reminds me of how Christ-like Francis was. The religious establishment of Jesus’ time had expectations, norms, that every good Jew was to accept as part of daily living.