Monthly Archives: July 2022

Seeing

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“Go and do likewise.” This seems like a pretty clear command from Jesus. Go about your day and life, showing mercy, being a merciful person. As Moses says in the first reading this command is not mysterious, hidden, something remote and inaccessible. Just do it! ….So… are you a merciful person? Yes? No? Sometimes? Hopefully we at least reach the “sometimes” rating. Jesus’ dialogue with the scholar, in a way, held up a new standard for him to follow: the 10 commandments are great – follow them – but, as St. Paul says, without love, without mercy, those commandments are just clanging gongs and clashing symbols. Just noise. Continue reading →

Why a Samaritan?

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This coming Sunday our gospel is the well known story called the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). In yesterday’s post we see the “Good Samaritan” coming to the aid of the beaten man who was left for dead on the roadside. In this parable, why would Jesus choose a Samaritan to be the “hero” of the story? Brian Stoffregen has interesting insights into this answer: Continue reading →

The burdens

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From time to time this summer I have been commenting on the first reading, recently from the prophets Amos and Hosea. Their words have been direct and challenging to any who would listen: this is how you are seen in the eyes of God. It was a rough encounter. While it promised doom to those whose heart remained hardened, there was always the call to turn back to God, back to the covenant. Continue reading →

The Parable

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This coming Sunday our gospel is the well known story called the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). In yesterday’s post the questions from the scholar continue, moving on to an inquiry about who is (or is not) a neighbor whom one is to love. It is at this point that the parable begins. Culpepper [229] identified the central character as being noticeably undefined. He is not characterized by race, religion, region, or trade. He is merely “a certain man” who by implication could be any one of Jesus’ hearers. The phrase “a certain man” (anthrōpos tis), however, will become a common feature of the Lukan parables (12:16; 14:2, 16; 15:11; 16:1, 19; 19:12; 20:9). Jesus’ audience no doubt imagined the man to be Jewish, but Luke’s audience may have assumed he was a Gentile. The point is that he is identified only by what happened to him. Continue reading →

Neighbors

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This coming Sunday our gospel is the well known story called the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). In yesterday’s post Jesus’ dialogue with the scholar goes well. Jesus accepts the scholar’s answer: “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” But there are more questions: But because he wished to justify himself… And who is my neighbor?” One wonders why the scholar did not “quit while he was ahead?” Continue reading →

The Trombone

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On July 4th I attended a neighborhood house party in Leesburg, Va. It was a festive gathering made even more festive by the presence of the Jefferson Street Strutters, an ensemble of folks who play New Orleans jazz in the style of the 1910s-1930s. While listening I began to wonder how a slide trombone works. Mobile phone in hand my question was quickly answered with a search. Later on, chatting with the trombone player, I got an even more detailed answer. Along the way, my etymological interests were also entertained. The word “trombone” comes to us via the Italian: trumpa – trumpet and one – large. Basically it means a large trumpet. It is good that our word comes from the Italian and not the middle English. Until the early 18th century, the English word for trombone was “sackbut.” It has its own linguistic evolution from the French, but it is just an unfortunate rendering in English.

A Question About Eternal Life

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This coming Sunday our gospel is the well known story called the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). In yesterday’s post we placed the gospel in the context of the ongoing mission of the disciples that was highlighted in the previous Sunday’s gospel. The parable begins with a question: There was a scholar of the law who stood up to test him and said, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Continue reading →

Fourth of July – Leesburg VA

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Spent the 4th of July weekend with long-time friends Rebecca and Doug Lynes who reside in Leesburg, VA. This morning we enjoyed the town 4th of July Parade. Complete with floats, fire trucks, tractors, classic cars, fife & drum corp, and lots of politicians running for office. The most unique group? The Roller Derby Ladies of Loudoun.  Very fun morning. Just s few of the many pictures taken. Enjoy.

Seeing

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This coming Sunday is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our gospel is the well known story called the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). In the flow of Luke’s gospel, just before the telling of this parable, Jesus had commissioned 72 disciples and sent them out of mission. In Luke 10:17 the disciples return with reports of great things being accomplished in the name and power of God. Jesus responds to their reports Continue reading →