Before getting to the miracle of Sunday’s passage, I just want to make a brief note to say how much I love the focus of the lectionary in Ordinary Time. Now that we’re liturgically in the time that is “ordinary,” the Gospel passages concentrate on Jesus’ miracles. Isn’t that beautiful? Wonders and signs are the Read More …
First of all, before we get to the passage, I would like to point out that Sunday is Mother’s Day. Go out and buy your Ma a card or a gift, and don’t forget to call her! Concerning this passage, I love — absolutely love — this prayer by Jesus, and this part is my Read More …
Usually, I try to offer a fresh perspective on the Gospel passage, approach a familiar text from a new angle, or maybe even offer some possibilities for entering the story… …but I just can’t do that here. Love one another. Until we learn to love, there’s no other lesson here — no deeper meaning — Read More …
At least on the surface, the Gospel passage for this Sunday is a beautiful metaphor of the relationship between Jesus and his followers. He is our shepherd; we are his sheep. His concern here is reminiscent of the most beloved psalm in the Bible. Yet, Jesus isn’t talking to his disciples here. He’s talking to Read More …
It’s a little hard for me to write about Sunday today, because while we look toward Easter Sunday, today is Good Friday. The day of crucifixion — the most solemn day of the entire Christian calendar. Before you can have resurrection, death must come first. However, it’s exactly from this space of hopelessness and despair Read More …
Typically, I like to encourage others to “enter” the Gospel reading for Sunday by imaginatively identifying with a particular character’s perspective. There is definitely a lot of possibility for that activity in this passage. You can try to look at matters from Jesus’ or Mary’s perspectives. You can take a step further by imagining what Read More …
The primary passage for the Gospel reading this Sunday is a very familiar one — the Parable of the Prodigal Son. So many people have looked at this story from almost every angle — the mercy of the father, the thanklessness and repentance of the prodigal, and the rigid lack of forgiveness on the part Read More …
I do not have “visions” in centering prayer or meditation, at least not in the way is depicted in popular media. Instead, there are times as I pray that a very interesting image occurs to my imagination — something that just doesn’t seem to fit with my normal flow of memory, thoughts, and daydreams. I Read More …
I slightly touched on this issue in an earlier post, but I want to spend a few more moments on the concept of psychological breakthrough — specifically how psychological breakthrough is NOT the purpose of centering prayer. It’s easy to see how many negative distractions can plague your mind as you try to be still Read More …
Do you know what the future holds for you? If you want to know, I can tell you for four easy payments of $19.95 plus shipping and handling! Just kidding 🙂 For this Sunday, we come across a strange passage that is rather easy to gloss over with the response: “Sure, Jesus could say that, Read More …
