Reflections

28ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke, more than the other writers, is the evangelist of prayer. This Sunday’s Gospel, the healing of ten lepers, instructs us on having trust in our prayer of petition and returning to God in thanksgiving.  Trusting, asking, and thanking. “Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.”  The lepers had to shout loudly because they were compelled by…
READ MORE 28ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time

27ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lord, increase our faith (Luke 17: 5-10) The apostles asked the Lord to increase their faith.  How did he answer them?  Would their faith be deepened by an astounding miracle like planting a mulberry tree in the sea, defying all the laws of science?  Sadly, many of those who witnessed the real miracles of Jesus…
READ MORE 27ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time

26ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time

Rich Man, Poor Man (Luke 16:19-31) Last Sunday our Gospel was about the proper use of money, with a warning that money can be tainted, and that one easily becomes a slave to material riches.  In today’s Gospel, Luke develops the teaching of Jesus in his parable of two contrasting men, one very rich, the…
READ MORE 26ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time

22ⁿᵈ Sunday in Ordinary Time

Pride or Humility It was common practice to invite an entertaining guest to a banquet. Jesus was invited to a meal in the house of a leading Pharisee. Table-talk is very different to sermon-talk. A light-hearted exchange can reach into areas that formal instruction could not touch. In the merriment of a good meal you…
READ MORE 22ⁿᵈ Sunday in Ordinary Time

21ˢᵗ Sunday in Ordinary Time

Get your focus right (Luke 13:22-30) Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem.    Someone came up to him and asked, “Sir, will there be only a few saved?” (Luke 13:22-30).  It’s very likely that the questioner was a Jew who believed that only Jews had any chance of getting to heaven.  Many of us grew up convinced…
READ MORE 21ˢᵗ Sunday in Ordinary Time

18ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time

A man in the crowd asked Jesus to plead with his brother over sharing an inheritance. Jesus replied, “My friend, who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?” Jesus heard not only his plea but also the inner voice of a soul too concerned about material possessions. “Watch, and be on your…
READ MORE 18ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time

17ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lord, teach us to pray (Luke 11: 1-13) The light on the face of Jesus at prayer must have been a sight that the apostles would never forget. They wanted to share the experience, so they asked him to teach them about prayer.  “Lord, teach us to pray as John taught his disciples.”   A Jewish teacher was…
READ MORE 17ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time

16ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke seems to have been fascinated by food!  Even the Risen Lord asked the stunned disciples, “have you anything here to eat?” (Luke 24:41).  Luke recalls ten meals, each with a distinctive setting and a special message.  The last supper and the welcoming banquet for the return of the Prodigal Son are the best- known meals. …
READ MORE 16ᵗʰ Sunday in Ordinary Time