Sunday’s first reading from Isaiah expresses the special love “the Lord” has for Israel, “as a bridegroom rejoices in his bride so shall your God rejoice in you.” “The Lord” promises vindication for his special love, “No more shall people call you “Forsaken, or your land “Desolate.” The vindication seems outsized for the tiny…
Sunday’s readings begin with a passage from Isaiah referred to as the Suffering Servant. It tells of one who will fight to “bring forth justice to the nations.” He will not “cry out” nor “shout,” “until he establishes justice on the earth.” Jesus’ Gospel reading begins with people hopeful for a new just one.…
The story is told of three wise ones who seek a baby. They have seen his star rising in the East and wish “to do him homage.” They share their intention with the ruler of the land to which they travel, Herod, a most unwise man. Herod will not do homage to a child…
Mary and Joseph with their young son Jesus are travelling to Jerusalem with extended family. Across centuries of such family trips two essentials are conveyed; enjoy and stay safe. We genuinely mean the first one but usually in the context of the second one. Safety tends to be paramount and thus we say to…
On this fourth Sunday in Advent we share in the lives of two women, Mary and her cousin Elizabeth, both soon to give birth to sons. In communion with them, we too feel an “infant in (our) womb leap for joy” and we too are “filled with the Spirit.” Together, we wonder “how does…
The Third Sunday in Advent has a Gospel reading that once again focuses not on Mary but on John the Baptist. John is sought out for his wisdom. Included as the seekers are men paid to be violent, soldiers. They ask John, “And what is it we should do?” He tells them, “Do not…
Advent’s liturgical readings leading up to Jesus’ birth focus less on Mary and more on John the Baptist. Today’s reading on John focuses on how he relates to his body. John subjects his body to austere desert living, withholding basic needs from his body. John’s life style, asceticism, which neither Jesus nor Mary live,…
The season of Advent has arrived. Advent means arrival and thus during Advent peacemakers prepare with Mary for the arrival of her baby, Jesus. Except, liturgically speaking, based on the usual Gospel readings for the season, we do not. Little attention is given to Mary and instead to John the Baptist. How is it…
Rulers who opposed Jesus from the beginning have had him forcibly arrested. He stands before Rome’s ruler for the territory, Pontius Pilate. Pilate assumes Jesus is some type of ruler, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus is not such a ruler, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom…
Sunday’s readings speak of troubled times; “unsurpassed in distress” and “tribulation.” Jesus speaks on these concerns from Jerusalem. Jerusalem is an outpost of the Roman Empire with soldiers who cause troubled times, distress, and tribulation. Jesus is a peacemaker who causes courage, calm, and well being. He is encouraging others to be that same…