The Gospel suggests, without actually saying as much, that at this stage Peter did not believe in the resurrection; the other disciple – probably John – did. “He saw and he believed.†We have different characters. Some of us are inclined to be pesimistic, and suspect good news of being a trick. A later part […]
Resurrection of the Lord Sunday – March 31, 2013 Read More »
The Jewish leaders possibly reasoned with themselves, saying that Jesus brought His death upon himself. There would have been no problem if He had stayed in Galilee, working as a carpenter and not trying to change the world by speaking about a heavenly kingdom of justice, love and peace. Jesus died on the cross, they
Good Friday – March 29, 2013 Read More »
Jesus and the apostles lived in a warm climate and spent their days wandering dusty roads and the none-too-clean fishing boats in which most of the apostles found their second home. At the end of the day, they enjoyed the momentary luxury of immersing hot and dusty feet into cold water, removing the grime and
Holy Thursday – March 28, 2013 Read More »
Reflecting on Christ’s life, His humility and incarnation, and His death on a cross, St. Paul wrote a triumphant hymn, our second reading, in his praise. The rejoicing of the disciples on that first Palm Sunday, the celebration, their exultation as Jesus went to take His throne, is all recaptured. Their faith was vindicated. This
Palm Sunday – “C†– March 24, 2013 Read More »
Why do we punish wrongdoers? At a primitive level we do no doubt want to get even. “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth†is much-quoted phrase to support this desire. This is a step from wanting to annihilate anyone who hurts us, but it is only one step. Then there is
Passion Sunday – “C†– March 17, 2013 Read More »
The Church is Sacrament which points to the presence of Christ in our society; it is a mystery, an external sign of the unity of people with God. It is here in the Church that we actually meet Jesus, and we are enriched through His grace which will lead us to sanctification and salvation, for
Fourth Sunday of Lent – “C†– Solemnity – Institution of the PNCC – March 10, 2013 Read More »
Examples of inexplicable suffering are found in today’s Gospel: the Galileans whose blood the Romans had mingled with their sacrifices and the 18 who were killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them. In Old Testament thought both the cruelty of the Romans and the natural disaster would have been seen as the consequence
Third Sunday of Lent – “C†– March 3, 2013 Read More »
Mountains, in religious literature, were places where the human could touch the divine. Sure enough, at the top of that mountain with Jesus, the apostles witness His divinity revealed, but they also glimpse His purpose as a bringer of liberation. It is significant that Jesus does not meet with Aaron the priest, who was the
Second Sunday of Lent – “C†– February 24, 2013 Read More »
When Jesus leaves the Jordan river, He is filled with the glory of God’s Holy Spirit. He has been anointed with that Spirit, endowed with all grace for His mission in this world. He looks like any other man, yet His daily encounters over the next three years will reveal the greatness in Him more
First Sunday of Lent – “C†– February 17, 2013 Read More »
Today’s readings are full of surprises about the people chosen by God for particular tasks. The prophet Isaiah is a man of prayer who is familiar with the Temple. He is called by the Lord to become His prophet through whom He will name injustice, call kings to account, and proclaim an unwelcome message that
V Sunday in Ordinary Time – “C†– February 10, 2013 Read More »