Luke 1:26-38 Mary Says Yes Lord

In the sixth month,
the angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."

But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."

Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.

In this passage we learn about Mary's total surrender to God's will. Here the Angle Gabriel presents her with a difficult situation, being pregnant with someone else' child. Joseph could have easily dismissed her or accused her publicly of adultery. Her family and the towns people would have been scandalized. Yet Mary agrees and says "May it be done to me according to your word." This is a reminder to all of us that when one serves God it requires total surrendering of the self. Selfishness must give way to the Word Incarnate, God's active agent in the world. We must be like Mary and say "Yes Lord".

Luke 1:5-25 Elizabeth's conception reminds us of God's abounding love

In the days of Herod, King of Judea,
there was a priest named Zechariah
of the priestly division of Abijah;
his wife was from the daughters of Aaron,
and her name was Elizabeth.
Both were righteous in the eyes of God,
observing all the commandments
and ordinances of the Lord blamelessly.
But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren
and both were advanced in years.

Once when he was serving as priest
in his division's turn before God,
according to the practice of the priestly service,
he was chosen by lot
to enter the sanctuary of the Lord to burn incense.
Then, when the whole assembly of the people was praying outside
at the hour of the incense offering,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him,
standing at the right of the altar of incense.
Zechariah was troubled by what he saw, and fear came upon him.

But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah,
because your prayer has been heard.
Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
and you shall name him John.
And you will have joy and gladness,
and many will rejoice at his birth,
for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
He will drink neither wine nor strong drink.
He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother's womb,
and he will turn many of the children of Israel
to the Lord their God.
He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah
to turn the hearts of fathers toward children
and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous,
to prepare a people fit for the Lord."

Then Zechariah said to the angel,
"How shall I know this?
For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years."
And the angel said to him in reply,
"I am Gabriel, who stand before God.
I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news.
But now you will be speechless and unable to talk
until the day these things take place,
because you did not believe my words,
which will be fulfilled at their proper time."
Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah
and were amazed that he stayed so long in the sanctuary.
But when he came out, he was unable to speak to them,
and they realized that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary.
He was gesturing to them but remained mute.

Then, when his days of ministry were completed, he went home.

After this time his wife Elizabeth conceived,
and she went into seclusion for five months, saying,
"So has the Lord done for me at a time when he has seen fit
to take away my disgrace before others."

This passage is often read one week prior to Christmas. Here we see the celebration of the faith of Elizabeth being contrasted with the lack of faith from Zechariah. Elizabeth's conception reminds us of stories from Abraham when his wife was old a barren. It was through God's help that Abraham was able to have a son. Here Elizabeth gives birth to John the Baptist, the forerunner to the messiah. John is described as someone who will bring people to God. He will not eat nor drink but be filled with the Holy Spirit. We can't help but be reminded that John is often compared to Jesus and yet both of them lead people to God. It is very likely the historical John the Baptizer was well known during the time of Jesus because not only is his ministry mentioned multiple times in the gospels, he is even enshrined in two independent birth narratives.  Let us celebrate the mystery that is God and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:26-38 Mary Mother of God "May it be done to me according to your word"

The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.

In this passage we see how God came to Mary and called her to be the theotokos, the god bearer. Mary's response "May it be done to me according to your word" is a very profound response because she makes herself an instrument of God. She totally surrenders herself to God's will. Here in this passage we are reminded of God's amazing powers and the parallels between this call story and the call of Abraham. Elizabeth, like Abraham's wife was barren and then conceived in old age.  Mary, like Abraham fully responds to God's call even though, by following God's call, both Mary and Abraham are placed in a difficult situation. So let us remember that when God calls, we must respond like Mary and allow God enter our hearts and God will provide.

Matthew 1:1-17 Jesus, Descendent of the House of David, Messiah

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.
Abraham became the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar.
Perez became the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king.
David became the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amos,
Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers
at the time of the Babylonian exile.
After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.
Abiud became the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok.
Zadok became the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar became the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.
Thus the total number of generations
from Abraham to David
is fourteen generations;
from David to the Babylonian exile, fourteen generations;
from the Babylonian exile to the Christ,
fourteen generations.

In this passage we see that Matthew focuses on Jesus` relationship to the great patriarchs of Judaism. Here we see his connection to the house of David, his connection to Abraham, Isac, and Solomon.  Here another interesting note is that Mary is mentioned in reference to Joseph. Normally it would not be necessary to note Mary at all but Joseph is defined not as related to David but described as the husband of Mary.

Jn 5:33-36 John the Baptist is like a burning and shining lamp

 
Jesus said to the Jews:
"You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.
I do not accept testimony from a human being,
but I say this so that you may be saved.
John was a burning and shining lamp,
and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.
But I have testimony greater than John's.
The works that the Father gave me to accomplish,
these works that I perform testify on my behalf
that the Father has sent me."

Here we see Jesus celebrates John's role as the forerunner of the Messiah and then explains that it is not through words but deeds that prove he is the Messiah. His focus is on "works" reminds us that in the Gospel of John, people are brought to faith through works. In this passage we are also reminded that John the Baptist helps illuminate the Kingdom of God.

Luke 7:24-30 Who is John the Baptist? "More than a Prophet"

When the messengers of John the Baptist had left,
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John.
"What did you go out to the desert to see a reed swayed by the wind?
Then what did you go out to see?
Someone dressed in fine garments?
Those who dress luxuriously and live sumptuously
are found in royal palaces.
Then what did you go out to see?
A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.
This is the one about whom Scripture says:

Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
he will prepare your way before you.

I tell you,
among those born of women, no one is greater than John;
yet the least in the Kingdom of God is greater than he."
(All the people who listened, including the tax collectors,
who were baptized with the baptism of John,
acknowledged the righteousness of God;
but the Pharisees and scholars of the law,
who were not baptized by him,
rejected the plan of God for themselves.)

Today's passage reminds us of the importance of John the Baptist, Forerunner of Christ. John holds a precious place in the Gospels. M. Stienhouser believes that John actually ministered with Jesus and they baptized together prior to Jesus' individual ministry. In this passage we see that John the Baptist has stayed away from urban areas and did not dress in fine garments nor did he live sumptuously. This is why some scholars believe John the Baptist may have been associated with the Essenes Community.

Luke 7:18b-23: Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?

 At that time,
John summoned two of his disciples and sent them to the Lord to ask,
"Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
When the men came to the Lord, they said,
"John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask,
'Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?'"
At that time Jesus cured many of their diseases, sufferings, and evil spirits;
he also granted sight to many who were blind.
And Jesus said to them in reply,
"Go and tell John what you have seen and heard:
the blind regain their sight,
the lame walk,
lepers are cleansed,
the deaf hear, the dead are raised,
the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."

In this passage we see a genuine question being asked of Jesus. During Jesus' time this must have been a hot topic because it is asked in Luke exactly word for word twice. Here, like in the other synoptic gospels, there is some confusion as to who is Jesus' identity. Disciples from John the Baptist's community appear to be wondering if Jesus is the Messiah and what his relationship is to John the Baptist. Here Jesus makes it very clear, he is curing the blind, raising the dead, and cleansing the sick. In other words he is the messiah as depicted in the Old Testament. The reason this passage is often used in Advent is because, John the Baptist, is the forerunner to the messiah. During Advent we are not only preparing for the Birth of Jesus, we are preparing for Jesus to return in glory in the Escaton.

Matthew 21:28-32 Parable of the Two Sons: When God calls, We Must Respond

 
Jesus said to the chief priests and the elders of the people:
"What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'
The son said in reply, 'I will not,'
but afterwards he changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, 'Yes, sir,' but did not go.
Which of the two did his father's will?"
They answered, "The first."
Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the Kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him."

In today's passage we are reminded that we are called to be holy and righteous at all times. So often we say we pray for the poor and that we pray for those who have nothing but how often do we do something about it? Christ calls us to be holy both on the inside and outside. We cannot say one thing and do another. Like the first son, we must respond to God fully and answer God's call with an open heart even if we don't like the direction we are sent. We must be very careful not to be like the second son and only paying lip service to our Lord.  

Luke 1:26-38: May it be done to me according to your word

 The angel Gabriel was sent from God
to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,
to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph,
of the house of David,
and the virgin's name was Mary.
And coming to her, he said,
"Hail, full of grace! The Lord is with you."
But she was greatly troubled at what was said
and pondered what sort of greeting this might be.
Then the angel said to her,
"Do not be afraid, Mary,
for you have found favor with God.
Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son,
and you shall name him Jesus.
He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High,
and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father,
and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever,
and of his Kingdom there will be no end."
But Mary said to the angel,
"How can this be,
since I have no relations with a man?"
And the angel said to her in reply,
"The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
Therefore the child to be born
will be called holy, the Son of God.
And behold, Elizabeth, your relative,
has also conceived a son in her old age,
and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren;
for nothing will be impossible for God."
Mary said, "Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me according to your word."
Then the angel departed from her.

In this passage we see Mary's unbelievable virtue of faith. Here Mary totally surrenders herself to be the Theotokos, the God bearer. Mary's self surrender is a model for us all. "May it be done to me according to your word" should resonate with us because God's word is really God's active agent of change. This word is Jesus Christ. May the Lord give us the strength to say yes to God no matter the consequences.

Matthew 7:21, 24-27: Blessed is the man who builds his house on solid rock

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,'
will enter the Kingdom of heaven,
but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven.

"Everyone who listens to these words of mine and acts on them
will be like a wise man who built his house on rock.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
But it did not collapse; it had been set solidly on rock.
And everyone who listens to these words of mine
but does not act on them
will be like a fool who built his house on sand.
The rain fell, the floods came,
and the winds blew and buffeted the house.
And it collapsed and was completely ruined."

In this passage we are reminded that following Christ does not mean simply saying we believe. Following Christ means serving the will of the Father. Christ is the incarnation of the Father. Christ is the word made flesh. If we do not see God's will in Christ's message we miss the point. Christ is the visible sign of God's love for us. So not only are we called to follow God's will, God demands it from us so that we can make the Kingdom of God a reality. Like the man who builds his house on solid rock, so too shall we invest our time in God's kingdom rather than building our own.

Matthew 4:18-22 I will make you fishers of men

As Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers,
Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew,
casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen.
He said to them,
"Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men."
At once they left their nets and followed him.
He walked along from there and saw two other brothers,
James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John.
They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets.
He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father
and followed him.

In this passage we see the calling of Peter, James, and John. Peter, in his call story is told he will be fishers of men. He is no longer a fisherman but one who would lead men into the Kingdom of God. John and James when they are called immediately leave their boat, representing their livelihood, and their father, representing their family ties.  This story reminds us that when Christ calls us we too are called to stop everything and serve the Lord with all our hearts. In this time period, these fishermen would have been uneducated and unable to sustain themselves without their trade. Even worst, leaving their father meant that they would be alone and no longer part of the family, the basic unit of social organization. Today, we too are called to leave everything to serve Christ.

Mark 13:33-37 The Kingdom of God will arrive at an unknown hour, Watch and be ready

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Be watchful! Be alert!
You do not know when the time will come.
It is like a man traveling abroad.
He leaves home and places his servants in charge,
each with his own work,
and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch.
Watch, therefore;
you do not know when the Lord of the house is coming,
whether in the evening, or at midnight,
or at cockcrow, or in the morning.
May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping.
What I say to you, I say to all: 'Watch!'"

This reading marks the beginning of the Advent Season. Here Jesus reminds us that the escaton, or the coming of the Kingdom of God, will come at an unknown hour. Like servants awaiting their master to return, we too are called to be ready for when the end times arrive. Like the servants who have done their work, we will be rewarded if we have done ours, but those servants who did not do their work while their master was away, like them, if we fail to love our neighbour and our God, we too will need to explain our lack of action. Therefore, we must be ready and watch for the coming of the Son of Man. 

Matthew 25:13-30 Share your gifts with the world for they come from God

 Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one--
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master's money.

After a long time
the master of those servants came back
and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents came forward
bringing the additional five.
He said, 'Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
'Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.'
His master said to him, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master's joy.'
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
'Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.'
His master said to him in reply, 'You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.'"

In this parable, we are reminded that we are all given talents and gifts and that we are called by God to use these gifts to usher in the kingdom of God. Our gifts should be used for building community, serving the poor, caring for the sick, loving one another, and glorifying God. It is through the Holy Spirit that we are able to use our talents. What a waste, if we only focus on our selves or even worse, fail to have confidence in ourselves that we can do good. Let us make every effort to glorify God with the gifts He has bestowed on us. 

Luke 27:26-37 The Eschaton Can Happen at Any Moment. Stay Awake!

Jesus said to his disciples:
"As it was in the days of Noah,
so it will be in the days of the Son of Man;
they were eating and drinking,
marrying and giving in marriage up to the day
that Noah entered the ark,
and the flood came and destroyed them all.
Similarly, as it was in the days of Lot:
they were eating, drinking, buying,
selling, planting, building;
on the day when Lot left Sodom,
fire and brimstone rained from the sky to destroy them all.
So it will be on the day the Son of Man is revealed.
On that day, someone who is on the housetop
and whose belongings are in the house
must not go down to get them,
and likewise one in the field
must not return to what was left behind.
Remember the wife of Lot.
Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it,
but whoever loses it will save it.
I tell you, on that night there will be two people in one bed;
one will be taken, the other left.
And there will be two women grinding meal together;
one will be taken, the other left."
They said to him in reply, "Where, Lord?"
He said to them, "Where the body is,
there also the vultures will gather."

In this passage we are reminded that the Eschaton, or the coming of the Son of Man, can happen at any moment. This is why we are called to stay awake and be ready. We should not waste our lives serving our selves, working only for money, pleasure, or glory. We must focus on truly what is important, that is, serving one another and most importantly loving God.

Matthew 22:34-40: The two greatest commandments: Love God, Love Neighbour

When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees,
they gathered together, and one of them,
a scholar of the law tested him by asking,
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?"
He said to him,
"You shall love the Lord, your God,
with all your heart,
with all your soul,
and with all your mind.
This is the greatest and the first commandment.
The second is like it:
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments."

Here we see Jesus sum up the entire commandments in two commands: Love God and Love your neighbour. Jesus did not create this idea but simply echos the idea that is heavily entrenched by the Jewish Tradition. In the ten commandments it is broken down into three sections: Relationship to God, Relationship to Family, and Relationship to Neighbour. Here Jesus has combined neighbour and family to highlight the real purpose of these commandments. Without love of God there can never be love of neighbour, for it is through God that we love. Without love of neighbour, we become alone and isolated. It is through our neighbours we can encounter God's love for us.

Matthew 22:15-21 Pay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar

The Pharisees went off
and plotted how they might entrap Jesus in speech.
They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying,
"Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man
and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.
And you are not concerned with anyone's opinion,
for you do not regard a person's status.
Tell us, then, what is your opinion:
Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?"
Knowing their malice, Jesus said,
"Why are you testing me, you hypocrites?
Show me the coin that pays the census tax."
Then they handed him the Roman coin.
He said to them, "Whose image is this and whose inscription?"
They replied, "Caesar's."
At that he said to them,
"Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar
and to God what belongs to God."

Here Jesus side steps the obvious trap, that if he said pay taxes to Caesar he would betray the Jewish people and prop up his Roman oppressors, and if he says no to paying taxes he would be arrested instantly. Jesus' response is quite clever because he says that you can only pay worldly demands with worldly goods and heavenly things with heavenly goods. So Jesus' answer is pay your taxes to Caesar because they are his coins. This is a lesson to us all, that although we are a people of God, we should not forget that we belong in the world as well.

John 1:47-51 John's High Christology

Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him,
"Here is a true child of Israel.
There is no duplicity in him."
Nathanael said to him, "How do you know me?"
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree."
Nathanael answered him,
"Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."
Jesus answered and said to him,
"Do you believe
because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?
You will see greater things than this."
And he said to him, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
you will see heaven opened
and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man."

In this passage we see John's High Christological style.  Jesus is able to see Nathananel not with his eyes but with some type of supernatural power. Here Jesus' connection to God is highlighted and here we see the image of ascending and descending an allusion to Jacob's ladder where the individual grows closer to God through their suffering and humility.

Luke 9:57-62 The Kingdom of God Cannot Wait

As Jesus and his disciples were proceeding
on their journey, someone said to him,
"I will follow you wherever you go."
Jesus answered him,
"Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests,
but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head."
And to another he said, "Follow me."
But he replied, "Lord, let me go first and bury my father."
But he answered him, "Let the dead bury their dead.
But you, go and proclaim the Kingdom of God."
And another said, "I will follow you, Lord,
but first let me say farewell to my family at home."
Jesus answered him, "No one who sets a hand to the plow
and looks to what was left behind is fit for the Kingdom of God."

Here we are reminded that the call to user the Kingdom of God cannot wait. We must respond fully. We cannot be held back by family, culture, work, school, or any corporal attachments. Here Jesus reminds us that we must respond fully with our hearts. We cannot be divided and our decision must be made fully without looking back. Our God deserves our full undivided attention. May God give us the grace to answer His call like Mary, the Apostles, and all the Saints.

Luke 9:51-56 Called to be respectful when spreading the Gospel

When the days for Jesus to be taken up were fulfilled,
he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,
and he sent messengers ahead of him.
On the way they entered a Samaritan village
to prepare for his reception there,
but they would not welcome him
because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem.
When the disciples James and John saw this they asked,
"Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven
to consume them?"
Jesus turned and rebuked them,
and they journeyed to another village.

In this passage we are reminded that although we may wish to spread the good news to all the world, not everyone is willing to listen. It is not our place to scold them or wish bad things upon them for the Lord will provide to them what they need and when they need it. We are called to spread the gospel but also be respectful when people do not accept our message. For it is not us but Christ who makes the gospel known to the world.

Luke 9:46-50 Actions speak more about us than our ambitions

An argument arose among the disciples
about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest."

Then John said in reply,
"Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name
and we tried to prevent him
because he does not follow in our company."
Jesus said to him,
"Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you."

In this passage we are reminded that following Jesus does not mean growing in pride. Being a follower of Jesus does not mean we are any better than others who also serve the Lord in their own way. This text also reminds us that our actions speak more about us than our ambitions. Although we naturally wish to sit at the right hand of our Lord, we are reminded that it is only in serving others and being meek will we every enter the Kingdom of Heaven. So let us not fight over which Christian group possess the truth for all of our serve Christ and in this service we are all brothers and sisters. 

Luke 9:7-9 Who is Jesus?

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
"John has been raised from the dead;
others were saying, "Elijah has appeared;
still others, "One of the ancient prophets has arisen."
But Herod said, "John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?"
And he kept trying to see him.

Here it appears there is some confusion as to who is Jesus. Herod is quoted as saying if he is Elijah, John the Baptist, or one of the ancient prophets. This is very similar to the question who is John the Baptist in the Gospel of John. It appears that Jesus was possibly seen as a prophet by the people of his time. 

Matthew 9:9-13 Called to be like St. Matthew

As Jesus passed by,
he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.
He said to him, "Follow me."
And he got up and followed him.
While he was at table in his house,
many tax collectors and sinners came
and sat with Jesus and his disciples.
The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,
"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
He heard this and said,
"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.
Go and learn the meaning of the words,
I desire mercy, not sacrifice.
I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

In this passage we see the call of Matthew. Matthew was a tax collector, someone who was despised by the people of Israel because they were perceived to be a sell out and a cheat. Tax collectors did not get an income from the Roman Empire so they needed to inflate the taxes so they could make a living. Here Matthew's response to the word of God is simply pure obedience. We are all called to be like Matthew. We are called to respond instantly to God's call no matter our background or past. 

Luke 8:19-21 Jesus' Family?

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you."
He said to them in reply, "My mother and my brothers
are those who hear the word of God and act on it."

In this passage there are many opinions on the extended family of Jesus. Some scholars have noted that here "brothers" is referring to Jesus cousins since the term brothers can be used to refer to one's extended family. Others note that it is likely referring to Jesus' actual siblings, meaning Mary likely had children after Jesus.  Either way, what is important is that Jesus extends the concept of family beyond the biological to the entire people of God. Those who have faith are part of this family. More precisely, those who have faith and use it to user in the Kingdom of God is part of his holy family.

Matthew 21:28-32 Religiousness does not equal Faith

Jesus said to the chief priests and elders of the people:
"What is your opinion?
A man had two sons.
He came to the first and said,
'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.'
He said in reply, 'I will not, '
but afterwards changed his mind and went.
The man came to the other son and gave the same order.
He said in reply, 'Yes, sir, 'but did not go.
Which of the two did his father's will?"
They answered, "The first."
Jesus said to them, "Amen, I say to you,
tax collectors and prostitutes
are entering the kingdom of God before you.
When John came to you in the way of righteousness,
you did not believe him;
but tax collectors and prostitutes did.
Yet even when you saw that,
you did not later change your minds and believe him."

In this passage we are reminded that our religiousness does not equal faith. If we belong to an ecclesiastical community and participate in it every day, it does not bring us any closer to salvation if we do not have faith. Faith should be seen as a verb, something that is active. So often we volunteer at our church and slowly forget why we are doing it. We go to church out of routine, habit, or social pressure. This is why Jesus is so hard on the religious. He reminds us that faith is something that is active, done daily, and requires constant attention. If we don't have faith, how can we make the kingdom of God a reality? 

Luke 8:16-18 Our Talents are a Gift from God

Jesus said to the crowd:
"No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away."

This parable reminds us that we are called to share our love for God with the world. Our talents are a gift from God. They flow from the Holy Spirit and are ways in which we can share God's love for the world. Yet, so often we forget this point and either squander our talents or fail to used them to their fullest. There is no point in being a gifted musician when no one hears our music. So spread the good news however you can with the talents God has bestowed on you.

Matthew 20:1-16 Grace is Freely Given

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The kingdom of heaven is like a landowner
who went out at dawn to hire laborers for his vineyard.
After agreeing with them for the usual daily wage,
he sent them into his vineyard.
Going out about nine o'clock,
the landowner saw others standing idle in the marketplace,
and he said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard,
and I will give you what is just.'
So they went off.
And he went out again around noon,
and around three o'clock, and did likewise.
Going out about five o'clock,
the landowner found others standing around, and said to them,
'Why do you stand here idle all day?'
They answered, 'Because no one has hired us.'
He said to them, 'You too go into my vineyard.'
When it was evening the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,
'Summon the laborers and give them their pay,
beginning with the last and ending with the first.'
When those who had started about five o'clock came,
each received the usual daily wage.
So when the first came, they thought that they would receive more,
but each of them also got the usual wage.
And on receiving it they grumbled against the landowner, saying,
'These last ones worked only one hour,
and you have made them equal to us,
who bore the day's burden and the heat.'
He said to one of them in reply,
'My friend, I am not cheating you.
Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage?
Take what is yours and go.
What if I wish to give this last one the same as you?
Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money?
Are you envious because I am generous?'
Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last."

This parable reminds us that the Kingdom of God is about grace. Grace is something that is freely given. We do not earn grace and it is up to God to distribute it as God wishes. In this parable, we are reminded that although we often work hard for God's grace, love, and forgiveness, God is free to forgive, love, and aid with all people regardless of their faith, devotion, and theological background. We so often want God to follow our understanding of fairness. Yet here we are reminded that God's love is far more inclusive than we often want. God's love for us is profound and God's grace knows no end. 

Luke 8:4-15 The Words of Chirst are heard with the heart

When a large crowd gathered, with people from one town after another
journeying to Jesus, he spoke in a parable.
"A sower went out to sow his seed.
And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled,
and the birds of the sky ate it up.
Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew,
it withered for lack of moisture.
Some seed fell among thorns,
and the thorns grew with it and choked it.
And some seed fell on good soil, and when it grew,
it produced fruit a hundredfold."
After saying this, he called out,
"Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear."

Then his disciples asked him
what the meaning of this parable might be.
He answered,
"Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God
has been granted to you;
but to the rest, they are made known through parables
so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.

"This is the meaning of the parable.
The seed is the word of God.
Those on the path are the ones who have heard,
but the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts
that they may not believe and be saved.
Those on rocky ground are the ones who, when they hear,
receive the word with joy, but they have no root;
they believe only for a time and fall away in time of temptation.
As for the seed that fell among thorns,
they are the ones who have heard, but as they go along,
they are choked by the anxieties and riches and pleasures of life,
and they fail to produce mature fruit.
But as for the seed that fell on rich soil,
they are the ones who, when they have heard the word,
embrace it with a generous and good heart,
and bear fruit through perseverance."

This parable reminds us that although the message of the gospel is clear, even those who have heard it do not necessarily live it. So often we hear the words of Christ but fail to actually internalize it. The gospel often challenges us and forces us away from our selfish desires. When we hear it but fail to act we are like the seed that is sown on the rocky ground. Meditation, prayer, discernment, these are the fertilizers we can use to help grow in faith and hear the gospel with open hearts. The word of Christ is not something that is heard with ears but with the heart.

Matthew 15:21-28 Jesus Learns from the Canaanite Woman

²¹ Jesus left that place and went to the area of Tyre and Sidon.²² A Canaanite woman from that area came to Jesus and cried out, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter has a demon, and she is suffering very much." ²³ But Jesus did not answer the woman. So his followers came to Jesus and begged him, "Tell the woman to go away. She is following us and shouting."
 ²⁴ Jesus answered, "God sent me only to the lost sheep, the people of Israel."
 ²⁵ Then the woman came to Jesus again and bowed before him and said, "Lord, help me!"
 ²⁶ Jesus answered, "It is not right to take the children's bread and give it to the dogs."
 ²⁷ The woman said, "Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."
 ²⁸ Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! I will do what you asked." And at that moment the woman's daughter was healed.

In this passage, many scholars believe Jesus has learned something. Here Jesus appears to dismiss the woman, claiming he is here to serve the people of Israel, but her rebuke gets his attention and he heals here. This tells us that Jesus is able to learn and did not know everything from the beginning. Here her challenge drives him to invite all people and extend his ministry to all people. This is likely a real event because of its detail, its inconsistency with the rest of his gospel message, and its shocking counter cultural message. 

Luke 7:1-10 Jesus is the Word of God

When Jesus had finished all his words to the people,
he entered Capernaum.
A centurion there had a slave who was ill and about to die,
and he was valuable to him.
When he heard about Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him,
asking him to come and save the life of his slave.
They approached Jesus and strongly urged him to come, saying,
"He deserves to have you do this for him,
for he loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us."
And Jesus went with them,
but when he was only a short distance from the house,
the centurion sent friends to tell him,
"Lord, do not trouble yourself,
for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.
Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you;
but say the word and let my servant be healed.
For I too am a person subject to authority,
with soldiers subject to me.
And I say to one, Go, and he goes;
and to another, Come here, and he comes;
and to my slave, Do this, and he does it."
When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him
and, turning, said to the crowd following him,
"I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith."
When the messengers returned to the house,
they found the slave in good health.

In this passage, we see Jesus is being exalted as the Word of God. Similar to how God creates not with hands but with words, Jesus' word here heals the slave. Jesus is the incarnation of the Word of God. We also see in this passage a slight against the Jewish people. Here it is not the Jewish people who demonstrate faith in Jesus but a roman. These were people who were occupying the country and enslaving the Jewish people. 

Matthew 18:21-35 Love comes only after forgiveness

Peter approached Jesus and asked him,
"Lord, if my brother sins against me,
how often must I forgive?
As many as seven times?"
Jesus answered, "I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.
That is why the kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king
who decided to settle accounts with his servants.
When he began the accounting,
a debtor was brought before him who owed him a huge amount.
Since he had no way of paying it back,
his master ordered him to be sold,
along with his wife, his children, and all his property,
in payment of the debt.
At that, the servant fell down, did him homage, and said,
'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back in full.'
Moved with compassion the master of that servant
let him go and forgave him the loan.
When that servant had left, he found one of his fellow servants
who owed him a much smaller amount.
He seized him and started to choke him, demanding,
'Pay back what you owe.'
Falling to his knees, his fellow servant begged him,
'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
But he refused.
Instead, he had the fellow servant put in prison
until he paid back the debt.
Now when his fellow servants saw what had happened,
they were deeply disturbed, and went to their master
and reported the whole affair.
His master summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked servant!
I forgave you your entire debt because you begged me to.
Should you not have had pity on your fellow servant,
as I had pity on you?'
Then in anger his master handed him over to the torturers
until he should pay back the whole debt.
So will my heavenly Father do to you,
unless each of you forgives your brother from your heart."

This passage reminds us of the importance of forgiveness. So often when we get into a fight with another person or we believe another person has wronged us, we allow the hate to consume us and fester within us. Here Jesus reminds us that hate really is a poison that we take. Only through the act of forgiveness do we allow ourselves the relief of giving up the hate. Like the Zen Buddhist parable goes: "A knife can only stick in one's back, if there is a back for the knife to stick. If there is no back, where can the knife go?" So when Jesus says to Peter you should forgive "seventy-seven times" Jesus is saying one should forgive forever, or an infinite amount of times. Let us look to our heavenly father who always forgives us as an example to live by.

Luke 6:39-42 One cannot smell their own pee

Jesus told his disciples a parable:
"Can a blind person guide a blind person?
Will not both fall into a pit?
No disciple is superior to the teacher;
but when fully trained,
every disciple will be like his teacher.
Why do you notice the splinter in your brother's eye,
but do not perceive the wooden beam in your own?
How can you say to your brother,
"Brother, let me remove that splinter in your eye,"
when you do not even notice the wooden beam in your own eye?
You hypocrite!  Remove the wooden beam from your eye first;
then you will see clearly
to remove the splinter in your brother's eye."

In today's reading, Jesus reminds us that before we judge others, we must look carefully at our own actions. Jesus reminds us that it is unhealthy to constantly point out faults in others. It hurts communities and shifts the emphasis of responsibility from ourselves to others. Jesus' parable of the Log in the eye is very similar to a zen parable where the zen master says: "one cannot smell their own pee". Here both parables remind us that we are accountable for our own actions. When we judge others harshly while failing to take into account our own actions and behaviors we become hypocrites. We must always ask God for the grace to see clearly, act lovingly, and be with us when we make mistakes. We must never forget we are sinners and it is our sin that separates us from God.

Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23 Jesus comes from the line of King David

The Book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ,
the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Abraham became the father of Isaac,
Isaac the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.
Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah,
whose mother was Tamar.
Perez became the father of Hezron,
Hezron the father of Ram,
Ram the father of Amminadab.
Amminadab became the father of Nahshon,
Nahshon the father of Salmon,
Salmon the father of Boaz,
whose mother was Rahab.
Boaz became the father of Obed,
whose mother was Ruth.
Obed became the father of Jesse,
Jesse the father of David the king.

David became the father of Solomon,
whose mother had been the wife of Uriah.
Solomon became the father of Rehoboam,
Rehoboam the father of Abijah,
Abijah the father of Asaph.
Asaph became the father of Jehoshaphat,
Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,
Joram the father of Uzziah.
Uzziah became the father of Jotham,
Jotham the father of Ahaz,
Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.
Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh,
Manasseh the father of Amos,
Amos the father of Josiah.
Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers
at the time of the Babylonian exile.

After the Babylonian exile,
Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel,
Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Zerubbabel the father of Abiud.
Abiud became the father of Eliakim,
Eliakim the father of Azor,
Azor the father of Zadok.
Zadok became the father of Achim,
Achim the father of Eliud,
Eliud the father of Eleazar.
Eleazar became the father of Matthan,
Matthan the father of Jacob,
Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.
Of her was born Jesus who is called the Christ.

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,
but before they lived together,
she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,
decided to divorce her quietly.
Such was his intention when, behold,
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,
"Joseph, son of David,
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.
For it is through the Holy Spirit
that this child has been conceived in her.
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,
because he will save his people from their sins."
All this took place to fulfill
what the Lord had said through the prophet:
Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son,
and they shall name him Emmanuel,
which means "God is with us."

In this reading, we see the genealogy (a list of a family tree) of Jesus as followed through Joseph's house. Matthew, unlike Luke who focuses on Mary's family line, is writing to a Jewish Christian audience. They would be familiar with stories of King David and the promise to David that the Messiah would come from his line. Here Matthew includes Abraham, the father of Israel, King David, from whose house will come the messiah, and Joseph (who interestingly enough is noted as the husband of Mary and not Jesus' father). Here we also see an explanation as to why Joseph did not divorce Mary or leave her knowing Jesus is not his direct son. This vision he has reminds us that we too like Joseph should trust in God. We should look to Joseph and serve God with an unyielding faith.

Luke 6:20-26 Our suffering is with the Prophets

Raising his eyes toward his disciples Jesus said:

"Blessed are you who are poor,
for the Kingdom of God is yours.
Blessed are you who are now hungry,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who are now weeping,
for you will laugh.
Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude and insult you,
and denounce your name as evil
on account of the Son of Man.

Rejoice and leap for joy on that day!
Behold, your reward will be great in heaven.
For their ancestors treated the prophets
in the same way.

But woe to you who are rich,
for you have received your consolation.
But woe to you who are filled now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will grieve and weep.
Woe to you when all speak well of you,
for their ancestors treated the false prophets in this way."

In this passage we see Jesus proclaiming the beatitudes. Here Jesus celebrates those who suffer and relates their suffering to the prophets. This reminds us that the cross is not easy. That spreading the gospel and proclaiming what is good and just comes with hardship. In this world doing what is right often comes with hardship. So many times people give up but Christ reminds us that by joining the prophets, we are ushering in God's will and making the Kingdom of God a reality. Hence, truly those who suffer to proclaim the gospel will gain eternal life. Those who cling to their life will lose if for that is the path to selfishness.

Luke 6:12-19 The Calling of the Twelve

Jesus departed to the mountain to pray,
and he spent the night in prayer to God.
When day came, he called his disciples to himself,
and from them he chose Twelve, whom he also named Apostles:
Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew,
James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,
Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called a Zealot,
and Judas the son of James,
and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

And he came down with them and stood on a stretch of level ground.
A great crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people
from all Judea and Jerusalem
and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon
came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;
and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured.
Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him
because power came forth from him and healed them all.

In this passage we see Jesus' selection of the Twelve Apostles.  The likely reason for selection exactly twelve is because of the symbolic connection to the twelve tribes of Israel. We see a continuity of God's grace through Jesus' followers. The term Apostle comes from the Greek Apostlos which means to send. So Jesus' disciples are being sent on a mission to spread the Gospel. In this reading we also see how Jesus' ministered to the people by talking with them, teaching them, and healing them. This is the role of his apostles, to bring the Gospel to the people and also tend to their needs.

Luke 6:6-11 The meaning of the Sabbath

On a certain sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught,
and there was a man there whose right hand was withered.
The scribes and the Pharisees watched him closely
to see if he would cure on the sabbath
so that they might discover a reason to accuse him.
But he realized their intentions
and said to the man with the withered hand,
"Come up and stand before us."
And he rose and stood there.
Then Jesus said to them,
"I ask you, is it lawful to do good on the sabbath
rather than to do evil,
to save life rather than to destroy it?"
Looking around at them all, he then said to him,
"Stretch out your hand."
He did so and his hand was restored.
But they became enraged
and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

In this passage, Jesus highlights the need to do good on the Sabbath rather than standing by and allowing evil to occur. Here he is challenging the legalistic understanding of the Sabbath. Although participation in the Sabbath connects all people to God's creative act, here he reminds us that if someone is in need, then we have an obligation to help them. The Sabbath should not be an excuse to allow others to suffer. The Sabbath celebrates God's love for the world and so although we should dedicate time to spend with God and our families, we must also care for our neighbours. We are called to do good on the Sabbath.

Matthew 18:15-20 We are called to keep our friends out of trouble

Jesus said to his disciples:
"If your brother sins against you,
go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.
If he listens to you, you have won over your brother.
If he does not listen,
take one or two others along with you,
so that 'every fact may be established
on the testimony of two or three witnesses.'
If he refuses to listen to them, tell the church.
If he refuses to listen even to the church,
then treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax collector.
Amen, I say to you,
whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven,
and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Again, amen, I say to you,
if two of you agree on earth
about anything for which they are to pray,
it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father.
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there am I in the midst of them."

This passage reminds us that we are accountable to our friends. Here Jesus is reminding us that we have a duty to help our friends stay out of trouble. If we knowingly consent, we are just as guilty. This is important because we are also reminded in the gospel that we are all friends in the Kingdom of God. So this passage can be extended to include all humanity making us accountable for the sufferings of others. This passage is not about being boastful and lashing out at others to satisfy our pride, it is simply a reminder that we are obligated to ensure our fellow neighbour has support to break any vice that grips them.

Luke 6:1-5 The Sabbath was made for Man

While Jesus was going through a field of grain on a sabbath,
his disciples were picking the heads of grain,
rubbing them in their hands, and eating them.
Some Pharisees said,
"Why are you doing what is unlawful on the sabbath?"
Jesus said to them in reply,
"Have you not read what David did
when he and those who were with him were hungry?
How he went into the house of God, took the bread of offering,
which only the priests could lawfully eat,
ate of it, and shared it with his companions?"
Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is lord of the sabbath."

In this passage, Jesus is reminding us that the Sabbath was made for man, not man made for the Sabbath. This means that religious practices are meant to be life giving. In going to church, participating in the ecclesiastical community, and celebrating the sacraments, we gain something. We benefit from building community and celebrating together. If participating in these activities is exclusionary or hurtful, then one must immediately stop. Religious institutions are meant to bring us to God but what sometimes happens is the exact opposite. Here Jesus reminds us that God wants us to be happy and that religious practices should bring us to God.  

Luke 5:1-5 We are called to be like St. Peter

While the crowd was pressing in on Jesus and listening to the word of God,
he was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret.
He saw two boats there alongside the lake;
the fishermen had disembarked and were washing their nets.
Getting into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
he asked him to put out a short distance from the shore.
Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.
After he had finished speaking, he said to Simon,
"Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch."
Simon said in reply,
"Master, we have worked hard all night and have caught nothing,
but at your command I will lower the nets."
When they had done this, they caught a great number of fish
and their nets were tearing.
They signaled to their partners in the other boat
to come to help them.
They came and filled both boats
so that the boats were in danger of sinking.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at the knees of Jesus and said,
"Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man."
For astonishment at the catch of fish they had made seized him
and all those with him,
and likewise James and John, the sons of Zebedee,
who were partners of Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid;
from now on you will be catching men."
When they brought their boats to the shore,
they left everything and followed him.

In today's passage we see the call of Peter. Here Peter is told to catch men meaning he will call others to follow Christ. The fact that he "left everything and followed him" means that Peter was not held back by his job, status, family, or friends. Peter freely chooses to follow Christ. This is our call, to love one another and follow in the foot steps of Christ without anything holding us back. This is the true meaning of being an apostle (one who is sent). 

Mark 6:17-29 May we look to John the Baptist, forerunner of Christ, for strength.

Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison
on account of Herodias,
the wife of his brother Philip, whom he had married.
John had said to Herod,
“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
Herodias harbored a grudge against him
and wanted to kill him but was unable to do so.
Herod feared John, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man,
and kept him in custody.
When he heard him speak he was very much perplexed,
yet he liked to listen to him.
She had an opportunity one day when Herod, on his birthday,
gave a banquet for his courtiers,
his military officers, and the leading men of Galilee.
Herodias’ own daughter came in
and performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests.
The king said to the girl,
“Ask of me whatever you wish and I will grant it to you.”
He even swore many things to her,
“I will grant you whatever you ask of me,
even to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother,
“What shall I ask for?”
She replied, “The head of John the Baptist.”
The girl hurried back to the king’s presence and made her request,
“I want you to give me at once
on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
The king was deeply distressed,
but because of his oaths and the guests
he did not wish to break his word to her.
So he promptly dispatched an executioner with orders
to bring back his head.
He went off and beheaded him in the prison.
He brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl.
The girl in turn gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard about it,
they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.


Today's passage celebrates John the Baptist, the Forerunner of Christ. All we know about John the Baptist comes from the four gospels. Mark, being the first to document the life of John the Baptist, presents a man who appears to challenge the political authority of the king. He is beheaded in prison and his head is presented on a platter. This story is rich in detail which points to the direction it is likely illustrating a historical event. This story also tells us that John had disciples and they were wealthy enough to secure a tomb for his body. The fact that the story calls John, the Baptist, means he has already had such a following that he bears the title "Baptist". In contemporary iconography his head on a platter is a very sacred image. May we look to John the Baptist, forerunner of Christ, for strength. 

Matthew 16:21-27 We don't have to prove ourselves to be loved by God

Jesus began to show his disciples
that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly
from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes,
and be killed and on the third day be raised.
Then Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke him,
"God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you."
He turned and said to Peter,
"Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me.
You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do."

Then Jesus said to his disciples,
"Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself,
take up his cross, and follow me.
For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it,
but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world
and forfeit his life"
Or what can one give in exchange for his life?
For the Son of Man will come with his angels in his Father's glory,
and then he will repay all according to his conduct."


In this passage we see the christian paradox: "whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it". What an odd statement to make. But when we reflect on its meaning we come to realize that Jesus is trying to save us from our false-selves. We often create a false image of ourselves that we believe to be our true selves. We think that we are what we do or we are what we think we are but in reality we are sons and daughters of God. We don't have to prove ourselves to be loved by God. We simply are loved because of God's grace. Jesus helps us deconstruct our false-selves by telling us to love God and one another. When we get away from ourselves and look to others we end our self-centredness and begin a live with God in the centre. 

Matthew 25:14-30 We need to uses these gifts to serve God and our neighbour

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
“A man going on a journey
called in his servants and entrusted his possessions to them.
To one he gave five talents; to another, two; to a third, one–
to each according to his ability.
Then he went away.
Immediately the one who received five talents went and traded with them,
and made another five.
Likewise, the one who received two made another two.
But the man who received one went off and dug a hole in the ground
and buried his master’s money.
After a long time
the master of those servants came back and settled accounts with them.
The one who had received five talents
came forward bringing the additional five.
He said, ‘Master, you gave me five talents.
See, I have made five more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received two talents also came forward and said,
‘Master, you gave me two talents.
See, I have made two more.’
His master said to him, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant.
Since you were faithful in small matters,
I will give you great responsibilities.
Come, share your master’s joy.’
Then the one who had received the one talent came forward and said,
‘Master, I knew you were a demanding person,
harvesting where you did not plant
and gathering where you did not scatter;
so out of fear I went off and buried your talent in the ground.
Here it is back.’
His master said to him in reply, ‘You wicked, lazy servant!
So you knew that I harvest where I did not plant
and gather where I did not scatter?
Should you not then have put my money in the bank
so that I could have got it back with interest on my return?
Now then! Take the talent from him and give it to the one with ten.
For to everyone who has,
more will be given and he will grow rich;
but from the one who has not,
even what he has will be taken away.
And throw this useless servant into the darkness outside,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth.’'


In today's passage, we reflect on the how we are using God's gifts. In this parable those servants who used their talents (money) to increase their amount of talents were rewarded and the servant who did nothing but his talent was punished. These talents are like the gifts that we have been given. We need to uses these gifts to serve God and our neighbour. So often we don't like taking risks. We fear ridicule from our peers and fear failure. Here the servant who gave into his fears received punishment because he did nothing with is talent. So if you are gifted in speech, share it with the world. If you are a writer, write. If you are cook, cook. Share your gifts with the world because these gifts come from God. 

Matthew 25:1-13 The escaton is both here and not yet

Jesus told his disciples this parable:
"The Kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins
who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones, when taking their lamps,
brought no oil with them,
but the wise brought flasks of oil with their lamps.
Since the bridegroom was long delayed,
they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
At midnight, there was a cry,
"Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!"
Then all those virgins got up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise,
"Give us some of your oil,
for our lamps are going out."
But the wise ones replied,
"No, for there may not be enough for us and you.
Go instead to the merchants and buy some for yourselves."
While they went off to buy it,
the bridegroom came
and those who were ready went into the wedding feast with him.
Then the door was locked.
Afterwards the other virgins came and said,
"Lord, Lord, open the door for us!"
But he said in reply,
"Amen, I say to you, I do not know you."


This passage reflects again the nature of the Kingdom of God. The escaton is both here and not yet. It has been ushered in with Jesus but only God knows when it will come to its full fruition. Here in this parable, Jesus explains that it will arrive when we least expect it. If we are not ready there will be no mercy, no entrance, and only judgement. If we do not live holy lives and prepare ourselves for the coming of the Kingdom of God, then like the virgins who were not ready, we will be left behind. So stay away, be ready, live out the teachings of Christ. Amen  

Matthew 24:42-51 Stay Awake and Avoid Sin

Jesus said to his disciples:
"Stay awake!
For you do not know on which day your Lord will come.
Be sure of this: if the master of the house
had known the hour of night when the thief was coming,
he would have stayed awake
and not let his house be broken into.
So too, you also must be prepared,
for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

"Who, then, is the faithful and prudent servant,
whom the master has put in charge of his household
to distribute to them their food at the proper time"
Blessed is that servant whom his master on his arrival finds doing so.
Amen, I say to you, he will put him in charge of all his property.
But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is long delayed,'
and begins to beat his fellow servants,
and eat and drink with drunkards,
the servant's master will come on an unexpected day
and at an unknown hour and will punish him severely
and assign him a place with the hypocrites,
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."


This passage reminds us that the escaton is something of a mystery. The kingdom of God has started with Jesus but one never knows when the Jesus' final coming will happen. Here we are reminded to stay awake and avoid sin. So often in our faith we become lax and forget to pray, minister to others, and worship with others. We are called to constantly be vigilant so as not to fall prey to routine. The greatest enemy in spiritual warfare is routine. It dulls our senses and makes us complacent. Even our secular culture says life is short and one never knows when it will end. We must always make the best of what we have and always remember that being a person of faith is not only about prayers and worship but of serving the needs of others.