Scripture: Sirach 48:1-14Matthew 6:7-15 Reflection: The readings for today offer us quite a contrast. The first reading from the Book of Sirach we are presented with the fiery prophet Elijah and his impact on Israel while the Gospel reading offers…
Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1, 6-14Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Reflection: At one time during the First World War a young British Army surgeon was accompanying his senior officer-surgeon around the wards of the wounded soldiers. They had completed the wards housing the…
Scripture: 1 Kings 21:17-29 Matthew 5:43-48 Reflection: Jesus said to his disciples: “You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those…
Scripture: 1 Kings 21:1-16Matthew 5:38-42 Reflection: The gospels operate by a different logic, a startlingly different understanding of what makes sense, and nowhere is this more vividly displayed than in Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount from which today’s gospel is…
Scripture: Ezekiel 17:22-242 Corinthians 5:6-10Mark 4:26-34 Reflection: In our Gospel reding for this Sunday (Mark 4:26-34), Jesus tells two parables about the kingdom of heaven. I would like to start with the second parable first. In that parable, Jesus likens…
Scripture: 1 Kings 19:19-21Matthew 5:33-37 Reflection: Sometimes the Lord surprises us with just the kind of push we need once in a while! And not all of us like surprises either! Samuel was in the cave and the Lord called…
Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9a, 11-16Matthew 5:27-32 Reflection: As empowering and liberating as Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount was, he made no bones about adultery and divorce. “Tear out your right eye,” he said. “Cut off your right hand,” he said.…
Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua Scripture: 1 Kings 18:41-46Matthew 5:20-26 Reflection: Today’s gospel continues moving through the Sermon on the Mount. Here we are presented with the first of six “antitheses,” which essentially are a fuller understanding of the…
Scripture: 1 Kings 18:20-39Matthew 5:17-19 Reflection: Today we are called to make resolute decisions about our life’s faith journey. In the first reading from the 1st Book of Kings, “Elijah appealed to all the people and said, How long will…
Scripture: Acts 11:21b-26; 13:1-3Matthew 5:13-16 Reflection: We have all heard the derogatory term, “playing second fiddle.” As in: “I’m the star of this show, and I’m not playing second fiddle to anyone.” To play second fiddle means to play a…