Category: Uncategorized

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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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During my eight years of priestly ministry, I’ve experienced first-hand the healing power of God, also given to the Apostles in today’s Gospel.

I’ve witnessed the presence of evil come out of a man while being absolved in confession; I’ve seen a young boy’s eyesight restored after nearly going blind; brain damage erased; cancer mysteriously vanish.

When these things happen, doctors say, “Medically, there is no explanation.” 

There’s no doubt in my mind it’s the power of the Holy Spirit. As Luke tells us today, “Jesus 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.”

Christ still heals people today. 

But why Jesus heals one person is as mysterious as why he doesn’t heal another.

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I often remind people – when Christ heals us, we cannot lose sight of the bigger picture: God restores our physical bodies to offer us a glimpse of what’s to come.

If God can do good things physically, then imagine what he will do spiritually in the resurrection of the dead.

That’s the moment we have to stay focused on: the moment when the universe itself will be restored to its original goodness – and we along with it.

It’s the same message the Apostles will eventually share with those whom they meet and heal. “You were blind and now see? Lame and now walk? You will see greater things than this.”

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In the words of Bruce Springsteen: “Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on.”

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Image credits: (1) Pinterest (2) The Commissioning of Peter in the Gospel of John, Spitzer Center (3) Pinterest

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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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There’s an old Chinese proverb: “Not one family can put a sign outside their home with the words – No Problems Here.”

Every family – even the Holy Family – experiences some level of conflict. 

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For example, Mary and Joseph scold Jesus after losing him for three days in the Temple when he was twelve. 

Instead of apologizing for getting separated from them, Jesus simply questions them, “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?”

To Mary and Joseph, his words probably sounded strange, cryptic, or confusing at best. But it was a sign to them that Jesus would do his Father’s will, no matter what the cost may be. And he wouldn’t apologize for it.

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We encounter the Lord some 20 years later in today’s Gospel, as he’s preaching inside someone’s home. Mary and a few other close relatives have gathered outside.

They’re not there to ask Jesus if he’s coming home for dinner; nor are they there to listen to him preach. As Mark tells us, some of them think Jesus is, “Out of his mind!” (Mark 3:21)

His teachings were risky – even revolutionary. Love your enemies; pray for those who persecute you; turn the other cheek; lay your life down for your friends.

Christ’s relatives were there to quiet him – either out of fear, concern, or a lack of understanding of who he really is.

Not one family – not even the Holy Family – can say, “No problems here.”

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So, what might this passage mean for us?

Family conflict is inevitable.

This can certainly be true when we decide to follow the Lord, who can lead us to places our family and friends don’t first understand, like priesthood!

But, as Jesus says today, “those who hear the word of God and act on it, are mother, and sisters, and brothers.”

May that include each of us today.

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Image credits: (1) Compelling Truth (2) Daily Bible Readings, WordPress.com (3) WordServe Water Cooler

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Gospel: Luke 8: 16-18

Jesus said to the crowd:
“No one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel
or sets it under a bed;
rather, he places it on a lampstand
so that those who enter may see the light.
For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible,
and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light.
Take care, then, how you hear.
To anyone who has, more will be given,
and from the one who has not,
even what he seems to have will be taken away.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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When the power goes out, everything is dark.

When you open the fridge, you can’t find the milk.

When you get out of bed in the middle of the night, you might run into a wall, stub your toe… or, worse, both!

When you walk outside, the streets are dark and eerily quiet.

We need light.

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For example, you need a 1000-watt bulb to light up a parking lot. A 100-watt bulb for a lamp. A 40-watt bulb for a fridge.

Different size bulbs are needed for different purposes, but each accomplishes the same task: casting out the darkness.

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In a similar way, God has given each of us a different role to play – in our families, in our parish, at work, and in the world. Some are given smaller responsibilities, while others are burdened with monumental tasks.

For example, one child sings in the choir on Sunday, while another person is the pope. Both must do their part. Both must shine. Otherwise, there’d be no music… and no shepherd!

As Jesus says in the Gospel today, “No one who lights a lamp conceals it. Rather, it’s placed on a lampstand.”

Each Christian must shine. It’s how we light up the world.

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What role has God given me to play? And how will I shine brightly for his glory today?

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Image credits: (1) AndyatFatih.blogspot.com (2) Unsplash (3) The Lightbulb Company