Category: Uncategorized

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Gospel: Mark 9:30-37

Jesus and his disciples left from there and began a journey through Galilee,
but he did not wish anyone to know about it. 
He was teaching his disciples and telling them,
“The Son of Man is to be handed over to men
and they will kill him,
and three days after his death the Son of Man will rise.” 
But they did not understand the saying,
and they were afraid to question him.

They came to Capernaum and, once inside the house,
he began to ask them,
“What were you arguing about on the way?” 
But they remained silent.
They had been discussing among themselves on the way
who was the greatest. 
Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them,
“If anyone wishes to be first,
he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” 
Taking a child, he placed it in their midst,
and putting his arms around it, he said to them,
“Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me;
and whoever receives me,
receives not me but the One who sent me.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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How many of us have seen the Disney classic, Cinderella?

Like many of you, I grew up on the 1950’s original, but another version was released back in 2015. So, in honor of this sermon, I rented a copy on iTunes, buttered up some popcorn, and pushed “play.”

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I’m sure we know how the story goes: after her father dies unexpectedly, a young Cinderella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, who force her into servitude inside their home.

Cinderella washes their clothes, polishes their boots, and scrubs the floors on her hands and knees.

Being treated so unfairly could make anyone bitter. But Cinderella never lost her inner goodness. 

One of the key moments in the story comes when the prince decides to host a royal ball, where he will choose a young lady to marry. 

Obsessed with the idea of becoming a princess, Cinderella’s stepsisters begin arguing amongst themselves about who will be chosen. In a word, who’s the “greatest.”

Magically, Cinderella also makes it to the ball, where she captures the prince’s eye, briefly dances with him, then runs off before the clock strikes midnight.

Surprising everyone, it’s she – the lowly servant – who wins the prince’s heart.

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There’s something ironic – even Christian – about that – the idea that the servant wins in the end.

Even in sports, a “Cinderella story” refers to the most unlikely athlete or team winning it all.

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In today’s Gospel, the disciples are caught bickering back and forth about who’s the greatest, much like Cinderella’s evil stepsisters.

Is it Peter, the “rock” of the Church? Judas, the treasurer? Or John the “beloved”? Perhaps someone else?

This trivial competition sends chills down Christ’s spine.

He’s just predicted his own death and resurrection for a second time, but the disciples still don’t get it. They’re ignoring his message of service, focusing on power politics, instead.

Jesus needs to change their attitudes quickly, because time is running out. They’re approaching Jerusalem, where he will lay down his life, leaving them in charge of the Church. 

The disciples must understand that Christians are not necessarily the most powerful or the most popular. “The greatest among you,” Jesus says, “must be your servant.”

In a sense, the greatest among you must live like Cinderella.

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In what ways do we serve other people?

Think about this in the most ordinary sense.

For example, at home, when chores need to be done or the kids need to be chauffeured, do we do our fair share?

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Or think about our role as servants here in church. Have we asked the Lord where we might fit in? 

There’s a place for everyone.

I think of those who planned our recent golf outing; volunteers of our Welcome and Hospitality Committee; our soup kitchen; our youth group and choir.

On this Catechetical Sunday, we also remember our young people who are starting another year of religious education. Simply going to class, trying to learn something about Jesus is an act of service.

And to our parents, bringing your children to class, to Mass, and even volunteering to teach, glorifies God.

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Remember Cinderella. She was the humble servant – the underdog – the least likely to win. But in the end, the prince gives her things she’d never have on her own – royalty, riches, and his heart.

Similarly, Jesus teaches us that those who serve others in this world – both at home and in church – will be the ones invited to his heavenly banquet, where he will give us things we’d never have otherwise – divinity, peace, and eternal life. 

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Image credits: (1) Cinderella, Disney Princess Pictures (2) Ibid. (3) JesusTrek

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Gospel: Luke 8: 1-3

Jesus journeyed from one town and village to another,
preaching and proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom of God.
Accompanying him were the Twelve
and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities,
Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,
Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,
Susanna, and many others
who provided for them out of their resources.

The Gospel of the Lord.

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No two journeys of faith are the same.

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Consider the journeys of those mentioned in today’s Gospel.

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There’s John, one of the Twelve, who never seemed to struggle with faith. He was the “beloved” disciple, who followed Jesus all the way to Calvary.

Maybe I’m like John, a life-long believer. Steadfast in faith, even in times of trial.

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Then there’s Peter. He saw the same things John did; Peter witnessed Jesus perform miracle after miracle.

But it never seemed to be enough. Peter doubted; he waivered in faith like a branch in the wind.

Maybe I’m more like Peter. I want to believe so badly, but struggle. One day I’m totally committed to the Lord. The next day I deny ever knowing him.

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Then there’s Mary Magdalene. Scripture tells us seven demons were driven out of her. Meaning, she was deeply wounded when she encountered Jesus.

But Jesus healed her and offered her a new beginning. Maybe that’s me. The Lord turned my life upside down, right side up.

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There are more than a dozen other people included in the Gospel today. Our faith journeys may be as different as theirs.

But we’re all destined for the same place. In order to help us make it home, the Lord meets us where we’re at, and invites us to take another step forward in faith.

What does that look like for me today?

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Image credits: (1) Church Sermon Series Ideas (2) The Road to Emmaus, Daniel Bonnell (3) St. Mary’s Press

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Gospel: Luke 7: 36-50

A certain Pharisee invited Jesus to dine with him,
and he entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at table.
Now there was a sinful woman in the city
who learned that he was at table in the house of the Pharisee.
Bringing an alabaster flask of ointment,
she stood behind him at his feet weeping
and began to bathe his feet with her tears.
Then she wiped them with her hair,
kissed them, and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this he said to himself,
“If this man were a prophet,
he would know who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him,
that she is a sinner.”
Jesus said to him in reply,
“Simon, I have something to say to you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
“Two people were in debt to a certain creditor;
one owed five hundred days’ wages and the other owed fifty.
Since they were unable to repay the debt, he forgave it for both.
Which of them will love him more?”
Simon said in reply,
“The one, I suppose, whose larger debt was forgiven.”
He said to him, “You have judged rightly.”
Then he turned to the woman and said to Simon,
“Do you see this woman?
When I entered your house, you did not give me water for my feet,
but she has bathed them with her tears
and wiped them with her hair.
You did not give me a kiss,
but she has not ceased kissing my feet since the time I entered.
You did not anoint my head with oil,
but she anointed my feet with ointment.
So I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven;
hence, she has shown great love.
But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”
He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
The others at table said to themselves,
“Who is this who even forgives sins?”
But he said to the woman,
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

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When was the last time you had a good cry?

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Crying makes us vulnerable. 

Certainly, we can cry tears of joy, but most often our tears reveal there is something broken inside of us.

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Such is the case of the woman in the Gospel.

She’s known for her “sinful behavior,” meaning she was likely a prostitute. But years of abuse have left her feeling broken inside.

This was why she was so receptive to Christ’s teachings of mercy and forgiveness, because Jesus offered her what no other man had before – a new beginning. 

Jesus is now all she has. 

And she’s so grateful for the love he’s shown her, that she breaks through the crowds without any fear of public embarrassment, falls at his feet, and before she can anoint them with her precious perfume, she breaks down and bathes them with her tears.

Then she gently dries his feet with her hair.

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Was this the first time they ever met? Did this woman hear Jesus preach before? Did she have a private, unrecorded conversation with him?

We’ll never know. 

But her dramatic actions are evidence of a life forever changed. 

Imagine how many times she will share her story in the years to come. Imagine how many lives she can change because of her faith. She’s a story of amazing grace, becoming an example for us all.

When Jesus changes our life, we cannot help but fall at his feet and then tell the world.

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Image credits: (1) She, Alison Dismore (2) A Disciples’ Guide to Common Sense (3) A-mused.