The story of the “Merciful Father” in Luke 15 is the climax of a series of parables on Losing and Finding. Here, in addition to the theme of finding what was lost, Jesus includes a challenge to those who are offended at the way he deals with sinners. In the fourth Sunday of [...]
Repentance is also characteristic of the Christian lifestyle. After all, Christian life is a response to the command: “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand.” Lately, the Church has been referring to this idea as “ongoing conversion”. Paul, in the second reading, gives expression to this in his admotion: [...]
Peter, James and John witness the Transfiguration of Jesus and hear the voice that tells them to obey Jesus. The Law and the Prophets, represented in the event by Moses and Elijah, are illumined by the light of Christ. In other words, the meaning of the Law and the Prophets become clearer [...]
The liturgy for the 6th Sunday of OT (C) highlights the Beatitudes as one finds it in Luke 6:20-26. Seeing the large number of disciples gathered before him, Jesus proclaims, using the language of blessings and woes, who are his real disciples. They are those who listen to his words and perform them, [...]
Luke rewrites the story of Simon’s vocation within the context of a miraculous catch of fish. Simon the fisherman is commanded by a carpenter from Nazareth to put out the nets. Simon obeys even when he knows that the sea has refused to yield its fruits to him. The catch of fish [...]
Continue reading about (V Sunday — C) Called to be Fisher of Men
Next Sunday, we will be celebrating the Solemnity of Christ the King and the end of Ordinary Time, Year B. Today’s liturgical theme anticipates Advent, Year C and reminds us that the Lord will come for us and has told us how to wait for His Coming. “Be alert”, “be watchful”, “keep awake”! [...]
Continue reading about (33rd Sunday OT B) I Have Told You This Beforehand
The selection from Mark 10:46-52 was probably a healing story narrated from the point of view of the blind man who was healed and then rewritten in Mark as a story of faith. Thus we may have here an instance of a personal testimony of faith that was incorporated into Mark’s gospel.
Luke [...]
Continue reading about (30th Sunday OT B) The Story of Bartimaeus
The 29th Sunday is Mission Sunday. Pope Benedict integrates the message of the day’s Gospel to Revelation 21:24 “The nations will walk in his light.” This verse from John’s revelation echoes passages about the Suffering Servant who because of his obedience to God even to the point of suffering and death becomes [...]
Continue reading about (29th Sunday OT B) To Serve Not To Be Served
Mark 10:17-31 can be called “The Way of Jesus and the Question of Wealth”. The way of Jesus is of course the way into the kingdom of God. One would eventually become aware that it would involve a question about one’s wealth especially when during the course of following Him, one’s business plans [...]
Continue reading about (28th Sunday OT B) Discipleship and Wealth
The theme of family is presented in the 27th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B). With Jesus nearing Jerusalem, the cross also begins to loom. The discussion on divorce can also be seen under the perspective of Jesus’ challenge to his disciples to deny themselves, carry one’s cross and follow him. A particular [...]
Continue reading about (Sunday 27 OT B) Let No Man Put Asunder
Just after the Transfiguration and the revelation that the disciples were not yet ready to do what Jesus does independently of him, the disciples begin to discuss who among them is the greatest. This they do after hearing for the second time about Jesus’ prophecy of his death. Were they trying to decide [...]
On the 22nd Sunday of OT B, we take up the Gospel of Mark once more and continue the reading at Mark 7:1-23 which is a controversy on ritual purity. Mark puts two controversies together: one on the washing of hands and another on food. The first involves the Pharisees, the second, the crowds [...]
Continue reading about (22nd Sunday OT B) Fidelity and Obedience (Mark 7:1-23)
