Author: admin

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Gospel: Luke 9:7-9

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening,
and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying,
“John has been raised from the dead”;
others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”;
still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.”
But Herod said, “John I beheaded.
Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”
And he kept trying to see him.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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This story does not end well for King Herod.

He’s already made a series of horrible choices, including the beheading of John the Baptist, a decision he made while he was drunk at a party.

But we’ve captured Herod at an interesting point in his spiritual journey; he’s still “perplexed” – haunted – by John. 

Even after John’s death, the Gospel tells us, “Herod kept trying to see him.” Herod enjoyed listening to John, and was intrigued by his message of repentance and the coming of God’s kingdom.

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Herod represents where some in our world are at today in their spiritual journey.

Thankfully, few are as deranged as he was. But many are “perplexed” by the Gospel message; they’re interested, but undecided. 

Faith can seem risky; difficult; life-changing. 

Just consider the ramifications faith would’ve brought into Herod’s life. For starters, he would have had to stop living with his brother’s wife and repent for the murder of an innocent man!

Then he’d have to learn the path of surrender, inching himself closer to the heart of God, day after day, as we all must.

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Like John the Baptist, how do we encourage the “Herods,” the seekers, of this world? And, like John, how has my own life changed because of faith?

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May we be emboldened by the life and ministry of John the Baptist, who was never afraid to speak the truth with love, even at great personal cost. 

It’s just what Christians do.

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Image credits: (1) Doubter’s Parish, WordPress (2) Herod the Great, History Skills (3) The Americanization of Religion, NYTimes

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Gospel: Luke 9: 1-6

Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority
over all demons and to cure diseases,
and he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God
and to heal the sick.
He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,
neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money,
and let no one take a second tunic.
Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
And as for those who do not welcome you,
when you leave that town,
shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”
Then they set out and went from village to village
proclaiming the Good News and curing diseases everywhere.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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There’s an old saying, “There are two sides to every story.”

Such is the case in today’s Gospel. On one hand, Jesus sends his disciples out to preach and to cure with the added instruction, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic.”

On the surface, it seems like the Lord is stripping his disciples bare, as if they must fend for themselves in a cold, harsh world of the Lord’s own making. But that isn’t the case.

Rather, the Lord is building upon a Jewish tradition, which all of the Apostles would’ve understood. 

In ancient Israel, it was customary for a person to part with their walking staff, shoes, money belt, and to cleanse the dust from their feet before entering the Temple to pray. 

Both physically and spiritually, a person would part with all of their worldly cares and possessions before addressing God, who always comes first. After leaving the Temple, a person would gather their belongings before re-entering the world.

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By instructing his disciples to part with all of their belongings before preaching and healing, Jesus is telling them to treat the entire world – including every person they meet – as if it is within Temple.

Meaning everything and everyone is holy, a type of dwelling place for God.

As Christians, we’re called to maintain that same type of attitude, treating all as if we are another Christ.

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The other side of the story is this: if the disciples are going out without a thing to their name, then they’ll need the good will and support of their brothers and sisters along the way.

While the Gospel should be preached free of charge, it is also an honor to care for those who share it, which is why the Church emphasizes the need for charity.

This is particularly true of supporting religious orders like Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity, who keep nothing but the Word of God, otherwise depending entirely on the support of others.

Perhaps this is what the Lord is asking of us today: to see the world as holy; to care for the poor; and to support those who preach the Gospel – not only in word but with their very lives.

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Image credits: (1) Encouraging.com (2) The Well Community Church (3) Good and Godly DNA with LA, WordPress

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Gospel: Luke 8: 19-21

The mother of Jesus and his brothers came to him
but were unable to join him because of the crowd.
He was told, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside
and they wish to see you.”
He said to them in reply, “My mother and my brothers 
are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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If you asked most Catholics, I’m sure they’d say there are two things they feel the Church is constantly asking them for: time and money.

This is particularly true during the holidays.

You only need to read a church bulletin to see all of the opportunities to give – from Thanksgiving dinners, to care packages for the homeless, blankets, clothing, and Giving Trees. 

Sometimes when I read these endless lists, I’m reminded of the good that so many people do – Catholic nuns like the Missionaries of Charity, in particular – to serve the less fortunate not only during the holidays, but every day.

But as Catholics, perhaps the Lord is calling us to change our mindset. We need to stop “volunteering.” To “volunteer” means, “to perform a particular action without obligation.” 

Meaning, we could choose to volunteer at the local soup kitchen just as easily as we could choose to attend a Giants or Jets football game. There’s no sense of duty involved in either.

What we should do is “serve.” Service implies obligation; duty; a sense of commitment to another. The Lord makes it abundantly clear throughout the Gospels that whatever we do to one another, we do to him. In that sense, we’re obligated to serve.

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In today’s Gospel, Jesus is told that his mother, brothers, and sisters are outside, wanting to speak with him. In Mark’s account of this episode, the Lord replies, “Who are my mother and my brothers and sisters? … Those who hear the Word of God and act on it.”

Being part of any family comes with its sense of obligation – show up for the holidays, make phone calls, send birthday cards. But those who are part of Christ’s divine family must do more: be of loving service to each other.

This call we first received in baptism, when we were integrated into the body of Christ. The Christian life is simply an extension of living out that call.

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While it’s easy to feel like churches are always asking for “more,” use it as a reminder that giving is simply part of who we are.

Brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Image credits: (1) Renewing Worship (2) Ahead of the Curve (3) Resurrection Parish