January 31, 2011
A major motif of Hebrews is that in Jesus we have something better than the Jews of the Old Covenant had. Today we hear again of the faith of the people of Israel who even suffered martyrdom. “Yet all these did not receive what was promised…” Perhaps this is the scripture from which this piece of creed springs: “He descended into hell…”
Read more
January 30, 2011
Each evangelist and his community see Jesus through a particular lens. For Matthew Jesus is the new Moses. Instead of ascending Mount Sinai to receive the Law, Jesus seats himself on a hillside and begins to teach the crowd a new way of being
Read more
January 28, 2011
Today we continue to be urged to encouragement. “You endured a hard struggle with sufferings, sometimes being publicly being exposed to abuse and persecution, sometimes being partners with those so treated. You had compassion for those who were in prison, and you cheerfully accepted the plundering of your possessions…” Being “partners” with means being in solidarity with those suffering abuse, having com-passion, feeling with them.
Read more
January 27, 2011
We enter the sanctuary through the flesh of Jesus, a new and living way. We approach “with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Then the author calls out those who neglect to attend meetings. These meetings (such as our family/community/parish meetings) are for the purpose of encouraging one another “to love and good deeds.”
Read more
January 26, 2011
Although this feast of Timothy and Titus is only a memorial, there is a reading from each, only one to be chosen. These are not authentic letters of Paiul to his co-workers as we can tell from the Greek vocabulary, style and even theology. We call the author of three letters The Pastor, probably a disciple of Paul’s
Read more
January 25, 2011
In Acts, Luke offers us three accounts of Paul’s religious experience that changed his mind and heart, leading him to cling to Jesus and no longer to the Law. In the account we read today, Paul is sharing his experience with the Jews, and perhaps a few Christians who were still there.
Read more
January 24, 2011
Hebrews indicates how the saving experience of the paschal lamb began to symbolize Jesus, the Lamb of God. Now Jesus “appears in the presence of God on our behalf.” And we, we are “eagerly waiting for him to return.”
Read more
January 23, 2011
This week is devoted to Christian unity most likely because the feast of St. Paul is celebrated, for it was Father Paul Wattson, a former Episcopal priest, who inaugurated such a week of prayer. Only Paul’s reading today is explicitly about unity.
Read more
January 22, 2011
Christ has come as high priest of the good things that are to come (hope). Let there be trumpets, loud songs of joy, clapping of hands, for God has gone up and is king of all the earth! proclaims the psalmist.
Read more
January 21, 2011
“Jesus has now obtained a more excellent ministry than the priests who offer gifts according to the Law…” and is mediator of the new covenant. In the gospel, Jesus chooses twelve men “to be with him and to be sent out to proclaim the message.”
Read more
January 19, 2011
The author of Hebrews, so eager to show that the new covenant has been subsumed in the covenant made by our High Priest, Jesus, uses Melchizedek as an example.
Read more
January 18, 2011
Our obedience gives us hope. Hebrews encourages us to “seize the hope that is set before us…a steadfast anchor…a hope that enters the inner shrine…where Jesus, a pioneer on our behalf has entered.”
Read more
January 17, 2011
What is the will of God in which Jesus delights? It is to become “subject to weakness” so that he “is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward.”
Read more
January 16, 2011
Called to be “light to the nations,” says God through Isaiah. Called to “delight in God’s will,” sings the psalmist. “Called to be saints,” asserts St. Paul.
Read more
January 15, 2011
Psalm 19 can be difficult for Christians because it is praise of God’s Law. As Paul insists, the Law is for the Jews, and the Spirit is our new “Law.”
Read more
January 14, 2011
The author of Hebrews invites us to enter into God’s rest. Jesus gets no rest, teaching in his own home, so crowded that the door is blocked. Enter four people carrying a paralyzed friend
Read more
January 13, 2011
Hebrews quotes God as being angry during the exodus. Mark shows Jesus being angry with a leper. The leper approaches, falls to his knees and says, “If you want to, you can make me clean.”
Read more
January 12, 2011
Jesus “had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest…Tempted by what he suffered, he is able to help those being tempted.”
Read more
January 11, 2011
Technically Christmas season does not end until February 2, but when we begin
Read more
January 10, 2011
Many of us think that prophecy is prediction of the future. No, it is the making full God’s word to us.
Read more
January 9, 2011
“The voice of God is over the waters…” cries the palmist, and in the gospel we hear God’s words: “This is my Beloved in whom I am well pleased.”
Read more
January 8, 2011
We end our continuous reading of John’s first letter today with the words: “Little children, keep away from idols.”
Read more
January 7, 2011
The psalm declares that God grants peace within our borders and fills us with the finest wheat. Since there is little peace within any nation’s borders, since 1/3 or more of the world is starving to death, what are we to do?
Read more
January 6, 2011
From 1 John 4 we learn that we cannot say that we love God if we hate (refuse to tolerate, carry a grudge, disrespect) our brother or sister, even one, let alone a whole people. Dorothy Day said: “I really only love God as much as I love the person I love the least."
Read more
January 5, 2011
How is this story of Jesus’ walking on water a mission statement? Notice, Jesus and his disciples separate so that Jesus can go up the mountain to pray. That is God’s mission for him, to pray
Read more
January 4, 2011
Today, Mark tells us that Jesus’ mission is to feed people. That does correspond with Jesus’ commission to Peter after the resurrection: feed my sheep.
Read more
January 3, 2011
This week we will hear Jesus’ mission statement from Mark, Luke and John. A theme of many Allelluia verses in this season will be: “Jesus preached the good news of the kin-dom and healed all who were sick.”
Read more
January 2, 2011
It does not matter whether this feast is based on an historical event. As post-Vatican II scholars remind us, Scripture offers the truth we need for our salvation, for our being set free.
Read more
January 1, 2011
We begin this World Day for Peace with a blessing from Numbers. For the Jews, to bless meant to surrender of all that one is and has.
Read more