2 Samuel 5:1-3Colossians 1:12-20Luke 23:35-43 One of the most shocking facts in the New Testament is that most people of Israel were disappointed at the coming of Jesus. It was a long held belief that a messiah would come who would free them from Roman rule. Along comes Jesus as an infant born in a…

Mal 3:19-20a2 Thes 3:7-12Lk 21:5-19 Difficult Times As we get closer to the end of the liturgical year, the Sunday readings take on a warning tone of destruction and suffering to come in the times ahead. The first reading from the prophet Malachi is a prime example: “Lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven,…

2 Maccabees 7:1-2,9-142 Thessalonians 2:16—3:5Luke 20:27-38 Resurrection Hope The first reading for Sunday tells the story of seven brothers and their mother who are tortured and put to death by the king because they refused to eat pork in violation of God’s law. Each, in turn, speaks boldly about their belief in God’s faithfulness that will lead to…

Wis 11:22-12:22 Thes 1:11-2:2Lk 19:1-10 Seeking God’s Mercy with Humility A frequent theme in the gospels is that of Jesus seeking out the lost or those who don’t fit the norms of the time. The gospel for this week is a good example. It is the story of Zacchaeus the tax collector who is seeking…

Humility in Prayer Sir 35:12-14, 16-182 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18Lk 18:9-14 Last Sunday we heard about the need for persistence in prayer. This week, we learn about the need of an attitude of humility in our prayer life. In the gospel, Jesus tell the parable of two men who go to the temple area to pray….

Ex 17:8-132 Tm 3:14-4:2Lk 18:1-8 Persistence in Prayer What is your prayer life like? Are you a 911 person who prays only when there is an emergency or difficult time in your life? Or are you a GPS person who uses God as a God Distancing System who asks God to show you the way…

2 Kgs 5:14-172 Tm 2:8-13Lk 17:11-19 Giving Thanks The first reading begins with Naaman being cured of his leprosy by Elisha the prophet. The back story is from the previous section of 2 Kings. Naaman is a foreigner from another country. He heard about Elisha and the extraordinary works he performs so he decides to…

Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-42 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14Lk 17:5-10 Faith and Service When we hear the opening words of this Sunday’s first reading from Habakkuk we may well think of our own society today and how many of us think and feel about what’s happening around us. “How long, O LORD?  I cry for help but you do…

Am 6;1a, 4-71 Timothy 6:11-16Luke 16:19-31 Complacency “Woe to the complacent in Zion!” This startling sentence is found in the first reading this Sunday. What if it was edited to say woe to the complacent in Pepper Pike, Euclid, Shaker Heights or wherever it is that you live? Could you be described as complacent when…

Amos 8:4-71 Timothy 2:1-8Luke 16:1-13  Shrewdness The opening lines from the first reading from the Prophet Amos set the tone for the day. “We must make use of everything we have and do everything we can to be part of the Kingdom when the time comes.” We’re also warned that there will be a day…

Ex 32:7-11, 13-141 Tm 1:12-17Lk 15:1-32 Images of God and Self Sunday’s gospel begins with the following words: “’Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’” Hearing in Luke’s gospel is a sign of…

Wis 9:13-18bPhmn 9-10, 12-17Lk 14:25-33 Committed Discipleship Spend some time watching TV and you will be offered a plethora of suggestions to choose from to make your life better, more attractive, more entertained, more of whatever media implies you need to be happy and complete. The gospel reading for Sunday offers an idea that is…

Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29Heb 12:18-19, 22-24Gospel. Lk 14:1, 7-14 Humility The first reading from the Book of Sirach for this Sunday’s liturgy tells us, “My child, conduct your affairs with humility, and you will be loved more than a giver of gifts. Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find favor with God.” Jesus…

Is 66:18-21 Heb 12:5-7, 11-1Lk 13:22-30. The Narrow Gate I recently saw a cartoon about who will enter heaven. There were two lines at the door to heaven. The one on the left was labeled “preapproved” and it was filled with all sorts of animals quickly passing through. The one on the right was long and…

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10Hebrews 12:1-4Luke 12:49-53 Commitments We were warned by Jesus in last Sunday’s Gospel that our commitment to Jesus requires us to honestly look at our attitude toward material possessions. We are to change and take seriously our moral responsibilities for our relationships with God and others. This Sunday’s gospel encourages us to look…