Month: July 2019

Fr Ted points out that we, like the Pharisees in today’s gospel, have a choice. The kingdom of God is at hand – whether we’re ready for it or not. We can sulk on the sidelines or, like the crowds, rejoice that Jesus has come into our lives.

Today’s Readings

“You shall no longer be spoken of as Jacob, but as Israel, because you have contended with divine and human beings and have prevailed.”
GN 32:23-33

A demoniac who could not speak was brought to Jesus, and when the demon was driven out the mute man spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel. “But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the prince of demons.”
MT 9:32-38

Jacob’s dream in today’s first reading seem so real to him that he declares that the “shrine” where he slept was nothing less than the “abode of God” and the “gateway to heaven.”  Fr Greg points out that we, like Jacob, can find the “abode of God” if we desire to.  For the “shrine” where heaven meets earth lies within each of us.  We are God’s dwelling place. We are his holy ground.

Today’s Readings

“How awesome is this shrine! This is nothing else but an abode of God, and that is the gateway to heaven!”
GN 28:10-22A

[A woman suffering hemorrhages] said to herself, “If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured.” Jesus turned around and saw her, and said, “Courage, daughter!  Your faith has saved you.”
MT 9:18-26

Fr Ted points outs that Jesus’ appointing of the seventy[-two]* disciples in today’s gospel was only the beginning.  We, too, have been sent to prepare the way for Jesus – wherever we live and with whomever we meet.

*Some Alexandrian and Caesarean text types have “seventy,” while other Alexandrian texts and Western readings have “seventy-two.”

Today’s Readings

Thus says the Lord… As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.
IS 66:10-14C

Brothers and sisters: May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
GAL 6:14-18

At that time the Lord appointed seventy[-two] others whom he sent ahead of him in pairs to every town and place he intended to visit. 
LK 10:1-12, 17-20

The Pharisees in today’s gospel find Jesus’ association with tax collectors and sinners morally repugnant. The Pharisees, Fr Charlie points out, are taking a moral inventory – of Jesus. While taking a moral inventory can be a helpful step, it can be so only if it’s directed towards ourselves and not others.

Today’s Readings

Isaac took Rebekah into his tent; he married her, and thus she became his wife. In his love for her, Isaac found solace after the death of his mother Sarah.
GN 23:1-4, 19; 24:1-8, 62-67

Many tax collectors and sinners came and sat with Jesus and his disciples. The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
MT 9:9-13

 

Fr Paul believes that whether we’re “gazelling” through a field of flowers, feeding the homeless, or exploring “Plentiful Redemption” in Jesus, we are trying to satisfy a deep longing for fullness within us. As today’s gospel points out, God has made his dwelling place within us.  And in so doing, as the Declaration of Independence points out, he endows us with certain “unalienable Rights” among which are “Life Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Today’s Readings (IS 57:15-19; PS 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14; PHIL 4:6-9; JN 14:23-29)

For thus says the high and lofty One… I dwell in a high and holy place, but also with the contrite and lowly of spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, to revive the heart of the crushed.
IS 57:15-19

Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
PHIL 4:6-9

“Whoever loves me will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our dwelling with him.”
JN 14:23-29

Thomas’ doubt in today’s gospel is so deep that, without his seeing Jesus, he is in danger of loosing his faith all together. But, after experiencing the risen Jesus, Thomas proclaims him as “My Lord and my God.” Fr Charlie notes that while unaddressed doubts can destroy faith, honest questioning only deepens it.

Today’s Readings

You are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God.
EPH 2:19-22

Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands and put my finger into the nailmarks and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
JN 20:24-29

As the disciples in today’s gospel discover, no matter how turbulent or crazy our lives become, Jesus can bring calm and sanity. The really wonderful thing, Fr Greg notes, is that Jesus is always in our boat.

Today’s Readings

[God] was mindful of Abraham by sending Lot away from the upheaval by which [He] overthrew the cities where Lot had been living..
GN 19:15-29

[Jesus] said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was great calm.
MT 8:23-27

Fr Ted believes that today’s first reading tells us more about Abraham than it does about God.  But Abraham did start us down the path to understanding that God cares about and loves us all. 1700 years later, Jesus, Abraham’s descendent and God’s own son, would lay down his life for us all – whether we are righteous or not.

Today’s Readings

Then Abraham drew nearer to [the Lord] and said: “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty? Suppose there were fifty innocent people in [Sodom]; would you wipe out the place, rather than spare it?
GN 18:16-33

“Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.”
MT 8:18-22