Reflections on the Gospel

January 7, 2024: A Reflection for the Epiphany of the Lord Matthew 2:1-12 We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage. Mt 2:2 They were scholars, they were respected right-hand persons to the king, they were astrologers. And most of all, they were seekers. Today we call them Magi, wise men. You might say that a deep hunger drove them. Drove them on to…

December 23, 2023: The Eve of the 4th Sunday of Advent. As we light the fourth candle on our Advent wreath this evening "A Child is born to us. A Son is given to us. Upon his shoulder dominion rests and his name shall be called, "Wonder-Counsellor, Mighty-God, Eternal-Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:5) So we shall sing on Christmas morning. On this last Sunday of Advent, Christmas Eve, the…

December 16, 2023: The Eve of the Third Sunday of Advent. As we light the third candle on our Advent wreath this evening "His kingdom will spread ever wider, and of peace there will be no end." (Isaiah 9:6) Jesus, Prince of Peace, help us to become peace, justice and love in our world. Let us choose your kingdom over promoting ours. Help us to "reduce ourselves to zero" as Gandhi…

December 9, 2023: The Eve of the Second Sunday of Advent. As we light the second candle on our Advent wreath this evening "Behold the Man! The Orient is his name. He shall sit upon his throne and rule, and he shall speak peace to the nations." So we sang on the feast of Christ the King. Jesus, Promised One, sit upon the throne of our hearts and rule. Speak…

December 2, 2023: The Eve of the First Sunday of Advent. This evening, we stand on the brink of Advent. Before us stretches three weeks, twenty-one days where we will journey into the mystery of Emmanuel, God-with-us in the person of Jesus, the Gift of the Father. In the centuries before Jesus' coming among us, the world was much as is it today: there were wars, hatred, self­ centeredness, greed…

November 26, 2023: A Reflection for the 34th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Matthew 25:31-46 Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. (Mt 25:29) “In the evening of life we will be judged on love alone.” So says the great Spanish mystic John of the Cross. The past few Sundays, the Church has been focusing our attention on Jesus’ Gospel message: the Kingdom of…

October 15, 2023: A Reflection for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Matthew 22:1-14 My friend, how is it you came in here without a wedding garment? (Mt 22:11b) We’ve all been invited to celebrations and parties and one of the first questions we need to resolve when we receive the invitation is, ‘What do I wear?’ Is it formal or casual or costume? Today’s parable is about…

October 8, 2023: A Reflection for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Matthew 21:33-43 There was a landowner who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a wine press in it, and built a tower. (Mt 21:34) I don’t know how many of you have noticed the sign on I-10 announcing Sonoita to be the viticulture area of our high country. As most of you know,…

October 1, 2023: A reflection for the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Matthew 21:28-32 ‘Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.’ He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards changed his mind and went. (Mt 21:23-24) Today’s readings speak of ways of living, ways of thinking and remind us of how we can change our minds or how we live, for the good or for…

September 10, 2023: A Reflection for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A Matthew 18:15-20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Mt 18:20) “Love is the fulfillment of the law,” we hear in today’s second reading from St. Paul (Romans 13:10). At first glance, we can wonder how it fits in today’s readings. It seems to…