5th Sunday Lent C '19 - Forgiven

Jesus is confronted with a test regarding a woman caught in adultery. He gives her forgiveness, and sets a model for us. Readings are found at http://bit.ly/2I5V8Yv Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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4th Sunday Lent C '19 - Reckless

Jesus invites us to reflect on our relationship with the Father in the parable of the "Prodigal Son", rather the "Lost Sons and Prodigal Father". Do we accept the reckless love of the Father, and rejoice when others turn back to Him? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2FRkJkL Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Lent and Transfiguration

Yearly, on the Second Sunday of Lent, the Catholic Lectionary has the Gospel passage of the Transfiguration from one of the three synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark or Luke). This might seem a little odd. After all, the Transfiguration, on its surface, seems so distant from the spiritual preparations of Lent. It seems too hopeful, too positive to fit. But that would be a mischaracterization of the Transfiguration. First, what is the Transfiguration? Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He shares the same divinity, the same nature as God the Father and the Holy Spirit, but they are three persons. He became incarnate, taking on human nature with all that goes with it except sin. He has a human body and soul, intellect and will. This humanity ‘hid’ His divinity. In the Transfiguration, occurring on Mount Tabor, that divinity was allowed to shine forth. He became dazzling. But more important, He conversed with Moses (giver of the Law) and Elijah (the most important of the prophets) from the Old Testament, both symbols of Jesus’ mission and ministry, that He would fulfill the Law and the prophets. The apostles Peter, James and John witnessed this vision of Christ in His glory. Peter did not know how to respond - he states, “Lord, it is good that we are here. Let us build three tents…” He recognizes the beauty of the revelation, but desires to stay there (though the tents might refer to the Jewish Festival of Booths, when they lived in tents in honor of the harvest). But Jesus was about something else. Especially in Luke’s account, it is clear that Moses and Elijah are speaking of His “Exodus” - that He was going to be the way to salvation through His death on the Cross. The Transfiguration was a means of preparing for the scandal of the Cross. St. Peter says as much in his letter, when he wrote that we are not following cleverly devised myths because he was a witness of the glory of Jesus Christ’s glory in the Transfiguration (2 Peter). What does this have to do with us and our Lenten preparations? We might be like St. Peter. We might recognize the beauty of the Risen Christ, and we might become too comfortable, we want to stay comfortable. But Christ invites us to enter into His death and resurrection, especially in this Lenten season. Hearing of the Transfiguration might invite us to consider the glory we have witnessed in the Resurrection, and remind ourselves that the glory we see is preparing us for something greater. We must be willing to follow Christ through this Lenten season into the glory not only of His Resurrection, but to the eternal life He died to give us. The Transfiguration reminds us that something more, something greater, awaits. We need to get uncomfortable, though. But we might recall, as Pope Benedict XVI stated, we are not made for comfort. We are made for greatness. We prepare for greatness in Lent!

3rd Sunday Lent C '19 - Figs

Using the news of the day, Jesus tells his hearers to produce fruits of repentance. His image of figs reminds us not to get comfortable. Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2UUCCFk Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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2nd Sunday Lent C '19 - Comfort

As the Lord is transfigured in the presence of Peter, James, and John, He reminds them of who He is and prepares them for the discomfort of the Cross, but the glory of the Kingdom. Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2THvmAm Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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1st Sunday Lent C '19 - Temptation

Jesus Christ endures temptation, and provides the model for us. Do we see how our temptations are to selfishness? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2XHeKXQ Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Ash Wednesday C '19 - Melt

As we enter the sacred season of Lent, are we able to let the Lord melt us? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2XHeKXQ Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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8th Sunday C '19 - Blind

Jesus teaches that the blind cannot lead the blind, and that those blinded by their own faults cannot heal others of theirs. Where are we blind? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2Vx7Pyd Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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7th Sunday C '19 - Mercy

David is a man after God's own heart, but not because of what he did in sin, but how he treated others with mercy. Christ calls us to mercy and forgiveness, too. Do we see it as strength? Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2E4Yjvg Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Dominion

Recently, in the Catholic Lectionary for the daily Scripture readings for Mass, we began reading in Genesis. So much could be written about these first few chapters – from creation and intelligent desing (especially as opposed to atheistic evolution), to the dignity of human beings, to the Fall and disgrace of sin. We could discuss the nature of humanity itself – the differences between male and female, and the complementarity of the sexes. We could discuss the whole idea of evolution as the means that God our Creator used to bring about the life we see around us. In this latest reading, however, what struck me is the idea of “dominion”. Twice, the author writes that the Creator gave man dominion over the fish, birds and beasts. First, is a statement of God’s intent, but the second time an extension of God’s blessing. How are we to understand this? After all, in our modern ears, dominion is a bad thing. It seems to be to rule it, to use and discard according to one’s own desires and wishes. It is viewed as an unchecked industrialization and capitalist endeavor. Its extreme opposite is one that leads to seeking to eliminate humanity and a rejection of any authority over creation. We would not leave a single mark on the world. Dominion is in between – it means leaving the world better, both by the wise use of resources and trying to limit waste. We should seek to protect the earth. The root of “Dominion” means to ‘lord’. It implies that to have dominion is a participation in the very action of God in subduing, protecting, and guiding. Dominion does not allow wanton destruction, but rather creativity. It is a form of stewardship, which is to take care of the things that we have been given by the Creator, and to pass them on to our youth. To have dominion is to use wisely. Why might this notion be important? First, it is God’s will that we as human we participate in His continuing creative action. After all, while we hear of how He rested on the seventh day, He did not cease to guide and create. So we are given dominion to aid. We build roads, create technology, grow our food just as examples, to have dominion and subdue. But the other reason is that to participate in the dominion is an acceptance of God’s blessing. If it is God’s will, and His blessing, it is then a sacred duty. It is one that we cannot neglect. Perhaps with this idea, we can seek better ways of environmentalism and green deals.

6th Sunday C '19 - Trust

Jesus teaches the Beatitudes, which invite us to discern what and who we trust. Readings are found at http://bit.ly/2Iip3hk Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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5th Sunday C '19 - In The Boat

As St. Peter pulls in the miraculous catch of fish, he recognizes who has entered his boat. Do we allow the Lord to enter our boats? Readings are found at http://bit.ly/2RRPVE5 Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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4th Sunday C '19 - Love

St. Paul reminds the Corinthians of a more excellent way to live the Christian life than arguing about which charisms are the best. Do we know that love is a choice? Readings are found at http://bit.ly/2G5S0Lg Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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3rd Sunday C '19 - Certianty

St. Luke records the Gospel for Theophilus, so that he would have certainty in the teachings he has received. Do we receive them as we ought? Readings are found at http://bit.ly/2UnJ7jx Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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2nd Sunday OT C '19 - Do Whatever He Says

Jesus asks for ordinary water, almost 180 gallons, to be brought. What He does is extraordinary. The Blessed Mother encouraged the servers, and us, to do whatever He asks. Readings are found at http://bit.ly/2TZHDeY Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Baptism of The Lord Sunday C '19 - Baptism

The Lord is baptized, and transforms the waters of the world to cleanse us of sin. Readings are found at http://bit.ly/2SQbeqW Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Epiphany C '19 - Offering

The wise men brought their offerings to the Christ Child, offerings that had both practical and theological use. What do we offer? Readings are found at http://bit.ly/2AvNmlE Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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Christmas Midnight '18 - More Than a Story

Merry Christmas. As we hear the Christmas story, we are reminded that it is so much more than a story. http://bit.ly/2GEtFgG Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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4th Sunday Advent C '18 - Recognize

As St. Elizabeth recognizes Jesus Christ in the womb of His mother Mary, she can intercede for us to recognize Him. Readings are found at http://bit.ly/2Ag0yL0 Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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3rd Sunday Advent C '19 - Normal

John the Baptist is asked how the people should prepare - and his answer is pretty basic - do the normal things, the moral things. St. Joseph is a great model of that. Readings are found at https://ift.tt/2rEwxjC Give feedback at https://goo.gl/forms/iG1Tvk4cHTGhdOWz2
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