In examining today’s Gospel reading (Matthew 17:22-27), two major themes emerge. The first theme is the second time that Jesus announces his impending death and resurrection. The first time he did, Jesus met with a strong reaction and even denial from Peter (Matthew 16:21-22); this second announcement is met more by grief. I am […]
Redemption And The Trivial – Stay Focused On God And His Teachings Read More »
Six weeks ago, on the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Gospel told us that Jesus “resolutely determined to go to Jerusalem.” In the succeeding weeks, he has been gathering disciples to follow him and giving them instruction. Last week and this, Jesus warns his disciples about the influence of the material world and
Place Yourselves In The Hands Of God Read More »
It is remarkable to see how little we change from one generation to the next. The message Moses gives (Deuteronomy 6: 4-13) could as easily have been written today, as we live and move, seemingly without stopping, so much of the time. The message is so practical and down-to-earth. When the Lord delivers
Keeping The Faith – He Really Was Human And Had To Suffer Read More »
In the Gospel reading from yesterday (Matthew 16: 13-23), we have a crisis of faith. Jesus asks his disciples who they think he is, and Peter comes up with the right answer, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” When Jesus continues and tells them that he will die and rise again,
There Is No Other God – To Show That He Was The Only True God Read More »
The passage from Wednesday of Week 18 of Ordinary Time is followed in Numbers by a long section of laws governing sacrifices, powers of priests and powers of the Levites (chapters 15—19 inclusive). The main theme of the section we are entering in today’s reading (Numbers 20:1-13) is the steady advance of God’s chosen people,
Waters Of Meribah – Command The Rock Before Their Eyes To Yield Its Water Read More »
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. Accounts of the event are described in each of the three synoptic gospels (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; and Luke 9:28-36); and alluded to in John’s gospel (John 1:14) and in Peter’s second letter (2 Peter 1:16-18). The Transfiguration takes place at a point in
The Transfiguration – A Reminder To The Disciples To Live AS IF GOD IS Read More »
Rather frightening scenes in our scripture readings for today. What is frightening is that the stories being told are really about us, and how we behave, as much as they are about the characters involved. Most of us are probably unfamiliar with the episode in today’s first reading (Numbers 12:1-13). It contains a very practical
Obscure And Familiar – Genuinely Forgive And Even Pray For Our Detractors Read More »
After a very short visit to the Book of Leviticus, this week we start readings from the fourth book of the Pentateuch, the five Old Testament books attributed to Moses. “Numbers” is a book filled with statistics: population counts, tribal and priestly statistics, and other numerical data. The book also follows the Israelites
Sharing What We Have – A Renewed Sense Of God’s Delight In Obedience Read More »
Our attitude to material things is the subject of today’s readings. It is about the things that we regard as important in our lives. The readings also suggest that what we are is of far greater importance than what we have. The Gospel (Luke 12:13-21) begins by introducing a man who wants Jesus to act as a mediator
Where Our Treasure Lies – An Opposite Alternative To Security And Happiness-Sharing Read More »
Today, in our second and last reading from the Book of Leviticus (Leviticus 25:1, 8-17), we read about the tradition of the Jubilee. The Jubilee was calculated to start at the end of seven times seven sabbatical years, in other words, at the end of every 49th year. Thus, the Jubilee was the 50th year of the
Jubilee And Herod – All Israelite Slaves Were To Be Set Free Read More »