This coming Sunday is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. All week we have delved into the Olivet Discourse from the Gospel of Mark. It is a very apocalyptic reading, filled with symbols and signs, laced with uncertainty of “when and where,” but ever a message of hope. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the previous post we considered Jesus’ meaning of the parable of the fig tree and what it portends about the “things to come.”
32 “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. 35 Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. 36 May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the previous post we began to explore the meaning of the apocalyptic signs and symbols in this Olivet Discourse. Now, Jesus resumes his instruction and preparation of the disciples.
28 “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. 30 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the previous post we set the background for the gospel known as the Olivet Discourse: the days during Holy Week, Jesus’ final preparation for the disciples, but also a message to the Christian community of Rome in the first century (60s) when they were undergoing their own persecutions and hearing the stories of war between Rome and Judah. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. In Liturgical Year B, the first reading of the year, the 1st Sunday in Advent is Mark 13:32-37. The reading, in part, appears again at the end of the liturgical cycle of Year B – here on the 33rd Sunday when we proclaim Mark 13:24-34. Our gospel reading is the end piece of the larger “Olivet Discourse” in Mark 13:1-37. In the Gospel of Mark there is no passage more problematic than the prophetic discourse of Jesus on the destruction of the Temple. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the story of “The Widow’s Mite.” 41 He sat down opposite the treasury and observed how the crowd put money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. 42 A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, ‘Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury. 44 For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood.’ Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the story of “The Widow’s Mite.” The text has a one verse summary of the scribes: 40 They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation. Continue reading
In today’s gospel we are given a hard message about the seriousness of the choices we must make if we are to follow Jesus: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters,and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” Let us set the stage for what leads to Jesus saying this to his disciples here in Luke 14:26
In Luke 14:7, Jesus begins: “He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.” He describes the scene in which people strive for places of honor and then instructs the listeners on the meaning of true humility, adding that they will receive their reward “at the resurrection of the righteous.” (v. 14b) Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the story of “The Widow’s Mite.” 38 In the course of his teaching he said, ‘Beware of the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and accept greetings in the marketplaces, 39 seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets. 40 They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.’ Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, the story of “The Widow’s Mite.” Lurking in the background of our reading is the first-century Jewish system of levirate marriages (Gen 38 and Deut 25:5-10). In short, if a man dies without leaving a son, his widow is forbidden to marry outside his family. One of her deceased husband’s brothers must assume the duty of the levir, taking her as his wife. The first male of this second union is considered the son of the deceased brother. Continue reading
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