Sunday Reflections

Our first reading is Exodus 20:1-17 where God gives the 10 commandments to Moses.  Each of us is somewhat familiar with them, in fact, a few of us can even remember some and then there are those of us who can rhyme off all 10.  Regardless, if we spend some time with them we may feel that they are rather negative, with many: “Thou shall nots”!  Perhaps we can reframe them from restrictions to opportunities to be ceased with joy and enthusiasm.  So today…

I hope for the most part that you have seen that generally speaking the readings for the New Year up to now are clear, concise, pictorial and contain no more details than absolutely needed.

The gospel of the First Sunday of Lent always reveals to us the temptation of Jesus in the desert.  These forty days have made holy our forty days of the Lenten journey, leading us through a time of conversion to celebrate the new life we share with Christ in His death and resurrection.  God assures us that He is with us as we are tempted.  Unfortunately, the evil one knows us well, and knows our weaknesses, and will play on them, trying to convince us that we are unworthy of God’s love and mercy, and that our future is one of fear and shame.  These lies separate us from

There is a particular word in our gospel reading that is worth further reflection. Most manuscripts upon which our Gospel text is based suggest that Jesus is moved with “pity” when He sees the man filled with leprosy. But there are some reputable manuscripts that suggest that Jesus became “angry” or “indignant” when the man approached him. Interestingly, here, Jesus’ anger or indignation is not directed against this man because he is interrupting or bothering Jesus. Rather, Jesus’ anger and indignation is that such a state of affairs would exist for this man.

Today’s first reading (Job 7:1-4, 6-7) is taken from the Book of Job that deals with the very difficult topic of the undeserved suffering of the innocent and just.  The author describes the human condition in somber tones:  We have a hard service on earth.  Like a slave who longs for the shadow.  We are allotted months of emptiness (read: living through a pandemic).  Our days are swift and come to their end without hope.  Ouch!  Lastly, he says: “my eye will never again see good.”  This reading may very well speak to us in the context of life with Cov

The Pandemic continues and the Sacred Text calls us again to reply appropriately today.  “Our God…gather us from the nations to give thanks to Your holy name and make it our glory to praise you!”  This probably irks us because we have been struggling since the end of last year! God, we have been really deeply struggling to do so!

In our Baptism we began a life with God.  That life has been nourished in so many ways, some that we may not even realize.  In each of our lives there has come a time when we more consciously began to follow Jesus – in earnest, with a sense of purpose.  We do not follow Jesus ‘by accident’, but it must be very intentional.  This faithful following leads us to be transformed – little by little – in Christ, “repenting and believing the Good News”.  However, our following Jesus is not just for ourselves, but is to be shared with others.  Jonah, in the First Readin

We have two powerful stories of people being called into God’s service. Our first reading tells the story of the young Samuel who is instructed by Eli to respond: “Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.” Our gospel from John narrates the story of Jesus’ calling of the first disciples. Interestingly, someone in each story helps another to hear God’s call. Eli, realizing what is happening, provides instruction to Samuel so that he will be able to hear and respond to God. Simon, now called Peter, is led to Jesus by his brother Andrew.

Today draws the Christmas Season to an end so that the Christmas Season ends.  Tomorrow we move into what is called Ordinary Time where Jesus Christ starts His personal ministry.  Like us, Christ’s Baptism prepares Him for (God’s) ministry and now Jesus Christ is ready for ministry.

I like the saying “What you will find (or receive) will depend on what you are looking for”.  The Wise Men were following a star, which they believed would take them to the “infant King of the Jews”.  And, indeed, they did find Him!  This leads me to reflect on which star we are following, and what we are looking for – which will determine what we will find.  We can follow a star that leads to fame, success, power, possessions, and riches.  Many follow this star!  But there is another star – that is Jesus Christ the Lord – and leads us along a different path to