My reflections for this week’s readings and gospel are focused on the First Reading from the book of Proverbs. The first reading talks about a woman who is valuable in many ways. She’s trustworthy, hardworking, and caring. This isn’t just about being a good wife, but also about being a strong individual. Her skills are practical; she can work “with wool and flax” and she helps the less fortunate. This paints a picture of a person who is balanced …
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Today, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord. After forty days (a number indicating preparation in the Bible) Jesus ascended into Heaven, leaving the mission of the church under the care of the Apostles, and promising to send the Holy Spirit as their guide on Pentecost (which we will celebrate next Sunday). I remember as a very young girl, picturing Jesus ascending into the clouds and I naively thought that if I could get above the …
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Back in 2017, I was responsible for the reflection for this same Sunday – the Lazarus story. I wrote, “I am the resurrection and the light, and whoever believes in me, though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” These are the words that can sustain us at a time when we are vulnerable to feelings of shock, numbness, sadness, loneliness, helplessness, anger – all part of the grieving process for …
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Today’s Gospel reading highlights the familiar Beatitudes we have all encountered as Catholics. As a pupil growing up in the Catholic school system, (in Ontario) I had to memorize the Beatitudes because the Beatitudes were a way to teach about who will find favor with God. I remember thinking, “How can you be “blessed” if you are poor in spirit, or meek, or persecuted then be “blessed” if you are pure in heart or be peacemakers?” My mother was very good …
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In the second reading for today it states, “Brothers and sisters, whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have HOPE.” That word ‘HOPE’ seems to be what we need to have in these difficult days, in the days leading up to Christmas when we celebrate the birth of Jesus. To be a person who lives HOPE in life, it is likely that one …
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Today’s gospel relates the story of Jesus and the 10 lepers. Jesus heard their prayer, their cry of mercy and sent them immediately to the priests (who were designated by law, to certify healings that had occurred). Those 10 lepers trusted; they did not remain there until they were cured, no: they trusted and went immediately and, while on their way, they were cured. Only one of the lepers – a Samaritan, returned to thank Jesus for healing him. …
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Actually, in 2016, I wrote the reflection for Holy Trinity Sunday. I looked back and remembered writing about the priest in my small Catholic high school who challenged us to practice our faith. He told us, that rather than getting caught up in the explanation of the mystery of the Trinity or trying to understand everything about God like one would explain a scientific theory, we needed to just remember that He is our God. He said God is balanced …
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Today, in the Gospel according to John, we hear of the story of the woman caught in adultery. It reminds us that sin, turning away from God and acting against our own dignity and worth, is not an ending. Jesus’ response to those who accuse the woman is more than a caution to us about making judgement of others. It is a profound lesson in divine mercy and forgiveness. As sinners, we are all unworthy to judge the sins …
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In today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims the “good news” to the poor. Jesus went to the synagogue in Nazareth, unrolled the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and found the place where it was written. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year …
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For this week’s reflection, I am going to digress a little from reflecting on the reading/gospel theme, though there is mention of ‘priests’, as has been a current theme these past few weeks, and I would like to reflect on what it means to be a PRIEST.
Priests are there for Baptism, First Penance, First Communion, Confirmation; for some, commitment in marriage; when the elderly or infirmed are anointed with the oil of the sick, presiding …
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