Author: ra

The Israelites grumble against Moses and Aaron – and God – in today’s first reading fearing that they were going to die of famine in the desert. Instead of grumbling like the Israelites about what we don’t have and can’t control, Fr Charlie suggests we try being grateful for what do have and can control and do what we can, with God’s help, to change the situation.

Today’s Readings

Here in the desert the whole assembly of the children of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron…. “Would that we had died at the LORD’s hand in the land of Egypt, as we sat by our fleshpots and ate our fill of bread! But you had to lead us into this desert to make the whole community die of famine!”
EX 16:1-5, 9-15

Such large crowds gathered around [Jesus] that he got into a boat and sat down, and the whole crowd stood along the shore. And he spoke to them at length in parables. 
MT 13:1-9

The LORD creates a path through the sea allowing the Israelites to escape Pharaoh’s army in today’s first reading. Jesus includes all who do the will of the Father in his family in the gospel – even if our own blood relatives disown us. No matter how desperate our situation is, God creates other possibilities. God can make a way even out of no way.

Today’s Readings

The LORD swept the sea with a strong east wind throughout the night and so turned it into dry land. When the water was thus divided, the children of Israel marched into the midst of the sea on dry land, with the water like a wall to their right and to their left.
EX 14:21—15:1

“Whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
MT 12:46-50

You can almost hear Mary Magdalene’s heart breaking in today’s gospel as she asks the “gardener” if he has taken the body of her beloved Lord. The scene reminds Fr Paul of the lament from Ecce Cor Meum (“Behold My Heart”) – composed by Paul McCartney as a eulogy to his wife Linda. With Mary Magdalene, Paul McCartney and countless others, our hearts, instead of breaking, can be filled with hope.  For in rising, Jesus defeated death – for us all.

Today’s Readings

Have you seen him whom my heart loves?
SGS 3:1-4B

“Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”
JN 20:1-2, 11-18

Are we are we more like Martha or Mary in today’s gospel?  Fr Paul points out that we really need to be like them both.  There are times in our lives when, like Martha, we have to accomplish things. There are also times when we need to pause, like Mary, so that we can discover who we are and what our lives are all about.

Today’s Readings

The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre, as he sat in the entrance of his tent, while the day was growing hot. Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby. 
GN 18:1-10A

It is Christ in you, the hope for glory. It is he whom we proclaim,
COL 1:24-28

“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
LK 10:38-42

Jesus reminds us in today’s gospel that it’s mercy that God desires, not the sacrifice of a burnt offering or a scape-goat. While Jesus redeems us from the eternal consequences of our sins, Fr Charlie points out, we still retain responsibility for them – and for making right what can be made right.

Today’s Readings

“Seeing the blood [of the lamb], I will pass over you; thus, when I strike the land of Egypt, no destructive blow will come upon you.”
EX 11:10—12:14

“If you knew what this meant, I desire mercy, not sacrifice, you would not have condemned these innocent men.”
MT 12:1-8

In today’s gospel, Jesus invites us to come to him when we feel burdened.  Fr Ted points out, from a recent experience, that whatever we’re doing can be overwhelming when we try to do it alone.  But, when we do whatever we’re doing with Jesus, anything is possible. 

Today’s Readings

“This is what you shall tell the children of Israel: I AM sent me to you.”
EX 3:13-20

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me.”
MT 11:28-30

Moses resists God’s selection of him as the one to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt in today’s first reading. Moses doesn’t trust God’s judgment, Fr Charlie believes, because Moses doesn’t trust himself. In the end, Moses agrees to lead Israel because “I AM” promises to be with him.  We, too, can accomplish anything God asks of us because, like Moses, “I AM” is always with us.

Today’s Readings

“I am the God of your father [the Lord said to Moses,] … I will send you to Pharaoh to lead my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. “But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and lead the children of Israel out of Egypt?” He answered, “I will be with you.”
EX 3:1-6, 9-12

“No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him.”
MT 11:25-27

The lack of repentance of Chorazin’s first century inhabitants is not likely to have led to it’s destruction in a fourth century earthquake.* Nevertheless, Fr Peter notes, our refusal to repent does have serious personal consequences. Why not avoid them, accept Jesus’ invitation, and return to God? 

*Eusebius writes that around 330AD the city was in ruins as a result of a devastating earthquake which was attributed to the punishment of God and the fulfillment of Jesus’ “curse.”

Today’s Readings

When the child grew, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, who adopted him as her son and called him Moses; for she said, “I drew him out of the water.”
EX 2:1-15A

Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!”
MT 11:20-24

Matthew recounts Jesus’ warning to his apostles – and to us – to expect serious opposition in proclaiming God’s kingdom in today’s gospel.  Matthew knows how the story ends. Yet, Fr Ted points out, as Jesus loses his life on the cross, he never stops reaching out in love to those around him – even when the only ones left are his enemies.

Today’s Readings

Pharaoh then commanded all his subjects, “Throw into the river every boy that is born to the Hebrews, but you may let all the girls live.”
EX 1:8-14, 22

Jesus said to his Apostles… “Whoever finds his life will lose it,
and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
MT 10:34—11:1

A scholar of the law asks Jesus who his neighbor is in today’s gospel. What he really wants to know, Fr Greg points out, is where his responsibility ends – who is not his neighbor. Jesus’ answers with the parable of the Good Samaritan. The scholar’s responsibly – and ours – extends to anyone in need.  Everyone is our neighbor.

Today’s Readings

“For this command [of the Lord] that I enjoin on you today is not too mysterious and remote for you… No, it is something very near to you, already in your mouths and in your hearts.”
DT 30:10-14

Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
COL 1:15-20

But because [the scholar of the law] wished to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
LK 10:25-37