November 7, 2021: A Reflection for the 32nd Sunday of O.T., Year B Mark 12:38-44 “This poor widow has given more than all the others.” (Mk 12:43) If ever we wondered what whole-hearted love looked like, today’s Gospel of the poor widow offers us a glimpse. Leaving aside the question of whether it was prudent to give away the last two coins which formed her sustenance, what must have caught…
October 31, 2021: A Reflection for the 31st Sunday of O.T., Year B Mark 12:28b-34 “Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is Lord alone! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than this.” (Mk 12:29-31)…
October 24, 2021: A Reflection for the 30th Sunday of O.T., Year B Mark 10:46-52 "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man replied to him, "Master, I want to see." (Mk 10:51) He sat there in his usual spot by the side of the road. Passersby would notice his dust-covered clothes and his cupped hands held out in begging. He was the son of Timaeus,…
October 17, 2021: A Reflection for the 29th Sunday of O.T., Year B Mark 10:35-45 For the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mk 10:45) At times, the apostles almost take your breath away with their audacity and naivete. This time it’s James’ and John's turn. They approach Jesus with the demand: “Teacher, we…
October 10, 2021: A Reflection for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in OT, Yr B Mark 10:17-30 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “You are lacking in one thing. Go sell what you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me. (Mk 10:21) Jesus, you see into our hearts, all the way down to our motives and intentions. And…
October 3, 2021: A Reflection for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 10:2-16 What God has joined together, no human being must separate. (Mk 10:9) At first glance, today’s Gospel appears to be about marriage and divorce. But a closer look reveals that what Jesus is really trying to teach is about the Kingdom of God. He is approached by some Pharisees whose intent is to trip…
September 26, 2021: A Reflection for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48 Anyone who gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ, amen, I say to you, will surely not lose his reward. (Mk 9:43) We’re all in this journey of life together, connected at the deepest level in Christ. We are permeated with God, whether we realize it…
September 19, 2021: A Reflection for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 9:30-37 Taking a child, he placed it in their midst, and putting his arms around it, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives not be but the One who sent me. (Mark 9:37) Like a bright stream alive with music, you wash upon…
September 12, 2021: A Reflection for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Mark 8:27-35 Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. At this he turned around and, looking at his disciples, rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me Satan. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do.' (Mk 8:32-34) Jesus, you speak the deepest, most sublime and difficult things to us…
Blessed are you who are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled. (Luke 1:42) Today we celebrate the assumption of Mary into the fulness of life in God – body and soul into heaven at the end of her life. In our love for you, Mary, we call to mind your privileges and they are indeed beautiful and great. But you speak…
