Scripture: Ezekiel 18:21-28Matthew 5:20-26 Reflection: In recent weeks, we’ve encountered Jesus’s sharp critique of hypocrisy, mainly directed at the religious leaders of his time. In modern English, he called them phonies, lip-servers and imposters. This naturally prompts a difficult question:…
Scripture: Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25Matthew 7:7-12 Reflection: Several years ago, the husband of a dear friend was hospitalized suddenly in serious condition. Before taking him to surgery, the surgeon told my friend that he couldn’t guarantee a good outcome. When…
Scripture: Jonah 3:1-10Luke 11:29-32 Reflection: The Old Testament reading from the Book of Jonah describes Nineveh as “an enormously large city: it took three days to go through it”. In fact, for some number of years, the city of Nineveh…
Scripture: Isaiah 55:10-11Matthew 6:7-15 Reflection: Hidden in Plain Sight The Lord’s Prayer, as we know, contains seven petitions: Our father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom comeThy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.Give…
Scripture: Leviticus 19:1-2, 11-18Matthew 25:31-46 Reflection: Justice, mercy, honesty, and self-sacrificing service – these are the themes of Christian discipleship throughout Scripture, and very pointedly today. The reading from Leviticus gives an entire list of “shall nots” – we are…
First Sunday of Lent Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:4-10Romans 10:8-13Luke 4:1-13 Reflection: Our Desert Journey Begins Our first Sunday of Lent always brings us to the desert where Jesus is tempted. On Ash Wednesday our foreheads were marked, ‘Remember man that you…
Scripture: Isaiah 58:9b-14Luke 5:27-32 Reflection The Lenten message is simple, but easily missed and almost always quickly forgotten: If we do good things—if we especially seek justice for the poor and afflicted—we will be renewed. If we stop dancing with…
Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9aMatthew 9:14-15 Reflection: Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me,and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;and whoever does not take up his crossand follow after…
Scripture: Deuteronomy 30:15-20Luke 9:22-25 Reflection: As 2025 began, fires in Southern California devastated thousands of communities. Homes, schools, community centers, businesses small and large, museums, and historic buildings were burnt to a crisp in minutes. The Passionist Retreat Center near…
Scripture: Joel 2:12-182 Corinthians 5:20 – 6:2Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Reflection: You are merciful to all, O Lord, and despise nothing that you have made. You overlook people’s sins, to bring them to repentance, and you spare them, for you are…