Monthly Archives: March 2020

Knocking

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Today is my one day off and I am normally not given to posting…or doing much of anything beyond reading a book, taking a walk, and thinking about lunch. Such are the occupations on my days off. Did I mention a nap? Anyway…. I was struck by two Lenten reflections on the gospel for the day that came my way this morning: one from Bishop Barron and the other from Deacon Connor Penn, a seminarian and transitional deacons for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida. Today’s gospel is the very familiar passage: “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.‘” (Mt 7:1-12) Continue reading →

The One Sign

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The gospel from today’s readings has always been interesting to me: “While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.’” (Luke 11:29-32) Continue reading →

What do you mean?

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Lots of people share that they have failed to put God first in their lives. I inevitably ask them “What do you mean?”  What follows is often akin to the deer in the proverbial headlights. I often follow up with something like, “What does it look like to put God first in your life?” Not easy questions to answer off the cuff, on the fly, but then this is Lent. Probably a pretty good question to ponder during this season.

Today’s gospel is Matthew’s version of the “Our Father” also known as the Lord’s Prayer. “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt 6:9-10) Words that are familiar, words that almost flow without thought from our lips. Words that, here in the Lenten season, we might do well to dedicate some time for reflection and musing. So here is some food for thought. Continue reading →

On the high mountain

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Next Sunday is the 2nd Sunday in Lent, Year A. You can read a complete commentary on the Sunday Gospel here.

1 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  2 And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light.  3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, conversing with him.  4 Then Peter said to Jesus in reply, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”  5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud cast a shadow over them, then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”  6 When the disciples heard this, they fell prostrate and were very much afraid.  7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Rise, and do not be afraid.”  8 And when the disciples raised their eyes, they saw no one else but Jesus alone.  9 As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, “Do not tell the vision to anyone until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.” Continue reading →

Three Invitations

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 “After Jesus was baptized, he came up from the water and behold, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming upon him. And a voice came from the heavens, saying, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’” Turn the page and we hear the opening verses of today’s gospel: “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” This passage is famously known as the Temptation in the Desert (or the Wilderness) Continue reading →