Scripture: Jonah 3:1-5, 101 Corinthians 7:29-31Mark1:14-20 Reflection: Since childhood I have been fascinated by the Jonah story in the book of Jonah. In The first reading God is asking Jonah for the second time to preach the message that God…
Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:3-21Mark 3:13-19 Reflection: R. Alleluia, alleluia. God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. R. Alleluia, alleluia. (2 Corinthians 5:19) As I read the Word of God for…
Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:6-9; 19:1-7Mark 3:7-12 Reflection: …for he had healed many…all who had diseases pressed upon him… Thus far in Mark’s gospel, Jesus has been on a whirlwind of healing. Everywhere he went he healed and cast out demons. …
Scripture: 1 Samuel 17:32-33, 37, 40-51Mark 3:1-6 Reflection: Everything that Jesus sought in his life and ministry is revealed in today’s gospel. Jesus walks into a synagogue where there is a man “who had a withered hand.” Like so many…
Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13Mark 2:23-28 Reflection: Pope Francis, in his weekly audience, continued his series on virtues and vices. His brief address concerned gluttony. Pope Francis notes the stark contrast between John the Baptist and Jesus pertaining to food. John…
Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:16-23 Mark 2:18-22 Reflection: Obedience is better than sacrificeWhile respecting his traditions and history, Jesus definitely seemed to have a preference for the new over the old. His stories and teaching reveal this again and again. But…
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 191 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20John 1:35-42 Reflection: Today’s readings are introductory pieces that will tell of punishments rendered by God for sins. In upcoming verses and chapters of the Bible—Old and New Testaments—the Philistines devastatingly defeat the…
Scripture: 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19; 10:1aMark 2:13-17 Reflection: “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners” (v.17). In these two simple verses, Jesus invites the…
Scripture: 1 Samuel 8:4-7, 10-22aMark 2:1-12 Reflection: “When Jesus returned to Capernaum after some days, it became known that he was at home. Many gathered together so that there was no longer room for them, not even around the door,…
Scripture: 1 Samuel 4:1-11Mark 1:40-45 Reflection: In today’s Gospel of Mark, Jesus dramatically begins his public ministry in Capernaum where he has established his residence. It is there on the Sabbath in the synagogue that Jesus astonishes all those assembled…