Category Archives: Stewardship Reflections on Lectionary Readings

March 4, 2012 – Second Sunday of Lent

Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18; Ps 116:10, 15, 16-17, 18-19; Rom 8:31b-34; Mk 9:2-10

Today, we focus on the cross. All three of today’s readings emphasize, for us, the importance of the cross and its redeeming power.

In the first reading, we hear the story of Abraham’s near sacrifice of Isaac. Isaac was his only son, the son for whom he and his wife had waited many years, and yet, because the Lord asked him to, Abraham was willing to give him up to death. Likewise in this story, Isaac, too, was willing. We don’t hear anything of his opposing the events. He was willing to give up his life, simply because God the Father asked him to.

Although the angel stopped Abraham from sacrificing Isaac, this story is clearly an Old Testament type of the crucifixion, when God the Father did, in fact, give His Son up for death – like a lamb to be slaughtered – and Jesus Christ, the Son, willingly assented to be killed.

In a lot of ways we can probably relate to Abraham’s near sacrifice of Isaac more so than to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It is easy to think, “well, He is God.” but when we put ourselves in Abraham’s shoes it’s a powerful reality check. Imagine how it would feel, what it would be like to even consider having your child slaughtered. It’s remarkably gut wrenching – painful to even think about, and yet, that is just what God the Father did. He gave His only Son, allowing Him to suffer and die for our sake, because He knew that was the only way we human beings could attain salvation – God became man taking upon himself the sins of humanity and suffering the punishment for those sins. It is a gruesome reality. It is a painful reality, and, at the same time, it is a powerfully redemptive reality. Coupled with the resurrection it is the turning point of salvation history. (more…)

February 26, 2012 – First Sunday of Lent

Gn 9:8-15; Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1 Pt 3:18-22; Mk 1:12-15

“Repent and believe in the gospel.”

These words are a familiar beginning to the Lenten Season. Year after year we hear them in the readings that initiate this season or during Ash Wednesday as the ashes are smeared on our forehead. They offer a gentle reminder of our sinful nature and our need for God’s saving grace. They are, therefore, appropriate to focus on as we enter the season of Lent and prepare to celebrate the greatest mystery of all time, the mystery through which our salvation was made possible — the passion, death, and ultimately the resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

Lent is a time when we focus in a particular way on our sinfulness. We recognize that it is because of the sins of humanity that Jesus had to suffer and die, and we fast and pray in an effort to make reparations for our sins. But we don’t celebrate this season filled with hopelessness and despair because of our sinful state. Rather, we are quite hopeful. We know that Christ did, in fact, die for our sins and then rise from the dead, offering us life everlasting. That’s the gospel message. That’s what we are called to believe. It is full of hope for us. (more…)

February 19, 2012 – Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Is 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25; Ps 41:2-3, 4-5, 13-14; 2 Cor 1:18-22; Mk 2:1-12

God forgives sins, and today’s readings highlight this glorious truth.

In the Old Testament reading from the book of the Prophet Isaiah, we hear the Lord say, “See, I am doing something new. … You burdened me with your sins, and wearied me with your crimes. It is I, I who wipe out, for my sake, your offenses; your sins, I remember no more.”

Then, in the Gospel from St. Mark, we hear Jesus forgive the sins of the paralytic, healing him spiritually before He heals him physically. The paralytic’s friends brought him to Jesus, knowing that Christ is the all-powerful healer, and, St. Mark tells us, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Child, your sins are forgiven.”

It is a fitting theme as we draw near to the season of Lent, preparing to celebrate the greatest miracle of all – Jesus’ passion, death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. Truly, though, it is a fitting theme throughout the year as we strive to follow Christ. He came to Earth in order to forgive sins, to take our sins upon Himself and suffer their consequences, offering us, in return, everlasting life. (more…)

February 12, 2012 — Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lv 13:1-2, 44-46; Responsorial Psalm Ps 32:1-2, 5, 11; 1 Cor 10:31-11:1; Mk 1:40-45

In today’s second reading, Paul exhorts the Corinthians: “do everything for the glory of God,” an exhortation that applies as directly to us today as it did to his original audience.

The Corinthians were largely Gentile Christians, having converted to Christianity without Jewish roots. Meanwhile, many of the early Christians were Jewish converts, so they were of the belief that all Christians ought to follow Jewish laws and customs, namely not eating meat that had been sacrificed to idols. Yet, the Corinthians understood that the idols to which the meat was offered did not exist, so to them, consuming the meat was not a grave wrong. At the same time, however, they recognized that their pagan neighbors, believing the idols to exist, took a certain delight in the Christians consuming such meat.

Recognizing the conundrum in which the Corinthians found themselves, Paul encouraged them, reminding them that the most important thing was that they glorify God in all they do, being careful, at the same time, not to offend those around them, “just as I try to please everyone in every way, that they may be saved,” he wrote.

We live in a very different world today, and our understanding of Church law has evolved greatly over the years, yet the goal of our lives is one and the same. We are striving to be Christian disciples, to give ourselves to Christ in service and to follow His example. And we face many opposing forces as well. Indeed, everywhere we turned we are face-to-face with people encouraging us to turn away, encouraging us to submit to the relativistic culture that is so prevalent in our society, to choose whatever is easy or enjoyable for me in the moment.  (more…)

February 5, 2012 — Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jb 7:1-4, 6-7; Ps 147:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23; Mk 1:29-39

Today’s gospel begins with Mark’s whole gospel account, and we see Christ performing miracles, beginning with the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law. Later, the gospel tells us, “He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and He drove out many demons.”

Clearly, the people were amazed at what Jesus had done. So, when He withdrew to a place to pray, Simon, Andrew, and others came looking for Him. But the Lord told them He had to go. He had to preach and heal throughout all of Galilee. “For this purpose I have come,” He says.

Jesus has come to heal the whole world, but it is not to heal mere diseases. Rather, these stories of His powerful healing miracles serve as a foreshadowing of the greatest healing miracle of all time, His passion death and resurrection. Through this great paschal mystery, the Lord offers all of us healing from sin and life everlasting. (more…)

January 29, 2012 – Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dt 18:15-20; Ps 95:1-2, 6-7, 7-9; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mk 1:21-28

God is in control.

In last week’s gospel reading, we heard Jesus call the first disciples, and they answered His call immediately, without restraint – leaving their careers and even their families to follow Him.

Today’s scripture readings remind us that, as Christian disciples, Christ is the one we follow, and we are His instruments, His representatives, to do His work on Earth.

In the first reading, Moses assures the people that God will raise up a prophet from their family line. The prophet is foretold to be one in authority.  “To him you shall listen,” Moses says.

In our Christian minds, it is easy to make the connection to Christ. He is the One raised up from among the line of David. He is the One who speaks in authority, fulfilling the prophecies of old and ushering in the Kingdom of Heaven, promising life everlasting. (more…)

January 22, 2012 – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jon 3:1-5, 10; Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-20

“This is the time of fulfillment. The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

This is the call on every one of our hearts as Christ beckons us to Himself. We were made to live for Him, and He invites us to be His disciples, to live to love and serve Him, and, in so doing, to call others to do the same, thereby building the Kingdom of God and experiencing true fulfillment as human beings.

“Our hearts are restless, O Lord, until they rest in thee,” St. Augustine once said. Indeed, we were made to live for God, and, as these three scripture readings remind us, He invites us to do so. (more…)

January 15, 2012 – Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19; Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; 1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20; Jn. 1:35-42

In all three of this Sunday’s readings, we hear about discipleship. God reveals Himself to man, and man responds to God’s revelation by following Him – giving up His old life and living for the Lord.

In the first reading from First Samuel, we hear God calling out to Samuel, who “was not familiar with the Lord, because the Lord had not revealed anything to Him as yet.” So, Samuel ran to Eli, believing the voice he heard calling him to be Eli’s. Finally, upon the second calling, Eli realized what was happening, and told Samuel that the Lord’s call required a response. “…If you are called, reply, ‘Speak Lord, for your servant is listening.’”

Samuel did just that, and the writer tells us, “Samuel grew up and the Lord was with him always, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.” Samuel gave his life to the Lord, and the Lord guided his steps and ultimately used Samuel to proclaim Him to the nations. (more…)

January 8, 2012 – The Epiphany of the Lord

Is. 60:1-6; Ps. 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13; Eph. 3:2, 3a, 5-6; Mt. 2:1-12

The theme of this Sunday’s Scripture readings is two-fold: God manifests Himself, and man responds to that manifestation with gifts of gratitude and conversion of heart.

The Magi, who were likely astrologers and magicians, made the long journey from somewhere far away to see the Savior, and when they saw him, they gave Him themselves. The gold, frankincense and myrrh were likely “tricks of the trade” that they surrendered to the Lord upon meeting Him.

They had an encounter with Christ that fateful day and, upon recognizing him as Lord and Savior, they offered Him the gifts of themselves. Then, the Gospel tells us, they departed from another way. (more…)

January 1, 2012 – the Octave Day of the Nativity of Our Lord Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God

Nm. 6:22-27; Ps. 67:2-3, 5,6,8; Gal. 4:4-7; Lk. 2:16-21

It is interesting to note that while the feast we celebrate today is that of Mary, the Mother of God, we do not hear much about Mary in today’s readings. In fact, the only mention of her is the simple phrase in the Epistle: “born of a woman” and in the Gospel, the sentence, “And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.” She is hardly the focus of today’s readings. Rather, the readings draw our attention to the birth of Christ.

In the first reading, it is the theme of blessing in the name of God that is emphasized. In this three-fold blessing, we see anticipation of our Trinitarian faith. What’s more, the Lord tells Moses to have Aaron and his sons bless the Israelites in His name. (more…)

December 25, 2011 – Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

Is 52:7-10; Ps 98:1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18

We all know the story of Christmas. Mary and Joseph had traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem in order to take part in a census. When they arrived, there was no room at the inn, so the couple stayed in the stable with the animals. Then, it came time for Mary to give birth to Jesus. She gave birth to him in the stable, wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger.

But the story of Christmas is much more than that. It isn’t just the story of how one young couple gave birth to their baby amidst the barn animals. It is the story of how the Lord sent a Savior into the world. It is the story of how God became man and dwelt among us on the earth. That is the mystery we celebrate today. That is what gives Christmas its meaning. That is what we ought to reflect upon as we carry out our Christmas celebrations.

(more…)

December 18, 2011 – Fourth Sunday of Advent

2Sm. 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Ps. 89:2-3, 4-5, 27, 29; Rom. 16:25-27; Lk. 1:26-38

In today’s Gospel, we hear the story of the annunciation. The angel, Gabriel, appears to Mary and announces to her that she will give birth to Jesus Christ. Through her, the fulfillment of the Jews’ Messianic hope will come to pass. Mary plays a vital role in salvation history, and here we see the beginning of that. When she gave her assent, the Lord was conceived in her womb. Yes, at the moment that Mary proclaimed, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be it be done to me according to your word,” the Word became Flesh. God became man. And So, Mary’s yes changed the course of human history, and, through her free-willed assent, she became the Mother of God.

Yet, if we contemplate on the whole of today’s Gospel reading, we will notice that it not only tells of Mary’s pivotal “yes,” but much of the story emphasizes the good things that God has done in Mary and, then, the good things He will continue to do through Jesus.

The angel greets Mary with the words, “Hail, full of grace, The Lord is with you.” And when Mary reacts in fear, he encourages her, “Do not be afraid. You have found favor with God.” (more…)

December 11, 2011 – Third Sunday of Advent

Is. 61:1-2a, 10-11; Lk. 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54; 1 Thes. 5:16-24; Jn. 1:6-8, 19-28

Joy is clearly the theme of today’s readings, more specifically, the joy of anticipation. In all three of the readings, the writers are rejoicing in the Lord, in His goodness, and in what He has done for them. In addition, they all proclaim the joy of what is to come.

That is the focus for us today as we await the celebration of the Christmas season, the celebration of the Lord becoming human. We rejoice for what is to come is glorious. It is wonderful. It is worthy of rejoicing!

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah not only rejoices but he “rejoices heartily.” His is a rejoicing that reaches to the depth of his soul. He says, “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul.” And he follows that statement up with a proclamation of the many good things God has done for Him. “He has clothed me with a robe of salvation and wrapped me in a mantle of justice.”

The prophet knows that the Lord has set into motion the coming of the Messiah, the day of salvation, and though He does not know when that Messiah will come, he rejoices in the salvation that God promises.

“As the earth brings forth it’s plants and a garden makes its growth spring up, so will the Lord God make justice and praise spring up before all the nations.”

He doesn’t know when it is coming, but He knows the Lord will send a Messiah, and so, he rejoices as he anticipates the coming. (more…)

December 4, 2011 — Second Sunday of Advent

Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ps. 85:9-10. 11-12, 13-14; 2 Pt. 3:8-14; Mk. 1:1-8

Today’s readings find us in the second week of Advent. We are waiting – waiting to celebrate the incarnation and waiting for the day when Christ will come again. But, as today’s readings remind us, it is not a passive waiting. While we wait, we are called to proclaim the good news, to let others know of the wondrous things God has done and the triumphant return we await.

All three of today’s readings portray a people in waiting, and in all three instances, those who await some divine intervention joyfully anticipate as they actively ready themselves and those around them for what is to come.

In the first reading, the prophet Isaiah is looking forward to the end of the Babylonian exile and the subsequent restoration of Israel. The Jewish people had been in exile for quite some time, and the prophet proclaimed the good news, the “glad tidings” that the Lord was soon to intervene, and His people were going to be granted return to the Promised Land. (more…)