Reflection for June 13

June 13, 2021

Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Ez 17:22-24

2 Cor 5:6-10

Mk 4:26-34

GROW: Many years ago, I met someone whose attentive hospitality cast a seed in me that took root and enabled me to grow as a disciple of Jesus. At the meetings I attended with her, Sister Bridget would immediately greet everyone with a smile, outstretched hand, and, “Hello, I’m Sister Bridget; what’s your name?” You couldn’t help but feel at ease with her warm greeting, but it didn’t end there. Throughout the encounter, she remained just as positive and as completely present as she had in the beginning. Just like the parable of the man scattering seed in today’s Gospel, Sister Bridget didn’t know how the seed of God’s word would grow as she sowed it in her unique, joyful way. To her, maybe her graciousness was the smallest gesture. But the Lord allowed it to sprout and grow, yielding fruit and a bountiful harvest.

GO: Today’s Gospel verse within the Alleluia proclaims, “The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower. All who come to him will live forever.” By our baptism, we are called to continue the work of Christ, sowing the word of God in our world. This may seem an intimidating expectation for all of us who doubt that we have the expertise to “sow” God’s word. But in today’s Gospel, Jesus tells the crowds that the kingdom of God is like the smallest of seeds, that once sown, becomes the largest of plants. If we believe in Christ and “aspire to please him,” God can use our smallest gestures to sow his word in the world. We may not see how our small acts of kindness accomplish this. But if we scatter these “seeds” out of love for God, we can trust they will take root, grow abundantly, and call others to “come to him [and] live forever.”

INVITE: What “seeds” of welcome can you scatter among those you encounter? Make your “random acts of kindness” regular, intentional acts that express God’s love. As St. Thérèse of Lisieux said: “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love."  

Reflection for May 9

Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48
1 Jn 4:7-10
Jn 15:9-17

GROW: I have 20/15 vision. I can see things in the distance as well as close up. But that doesn’t mean I can see everything perfectly. Because of a difference in how each eye focuses, I can’t find those hidden images in “magic eye” posters, and forget trying to watch a 3D movie! Seeing all things perfectly is not something many of us could claim, including Peter. And yet, with God’s help, he understands a vision God gave to him: “In truth,” Peter says, “I see that God shows no partiality. Rather, in every nation, whoever fears him and acts uprightly is acceptable to him.” Through God’s mercy and Jesus’ redemptive cross, the kingdom of God has been prepared for all peoples. God’s saving power has been revealed. With faith, and the help of the Holy Spirit in living out the commandments, we can fix our eyes on Christ ­– the revelation of God’s love who came into the world that we might have life through him.

GO: So much information comes to us every day, in all forms of media, there are now even shortcuts to the shortcuts for grasping the content. My personal favorite is the abbreviation, “TL; DR” which means, “too long, didn’t read.” Some might claim that we are dumbing down our culture with this type of shorthand notation, or we could argue that clear, concise, and straightforward is simply best. And that is what Jesus gives us today in his one commandment: “Love one another as I love you.” He offers commentary for the commandment and gives reasons for why he is telling it to us, but the crux of it cannot be missed: love one another. It is a commandment both simple, yet complex; easy, yet at times exponentially difficult to live. So Jesus provides the key to fulfilling it by saying, “remain in my love” [emphasis mine]. Faithfulness to a sacramental life and participation in communal living give us the grace to remain in that love – which in turn transforms and enables us to share that love with others.

PRAY: To honor the celebration of Mother’s Day, pray the Rosary today for the intentions of our mothers, for those who have been motherly influences to us, and for those who long to be mothers.

Reflection for May 2

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:26-31
1 Jn 3:18-24
Jn 15:1-8

GROW: Today’s readings are at once challenging and reassuring. Challenging, because we are to remain in Christ, by “[keeping] his commandments and [doing] what pleases him”; and reassuring, because we know that the Holy Spirit is with us and we can “have confidence in God and receive from him whatever we ask.” As Jesus says to us, “I am the vine, you are the branches … without me you can do nothing.” Through the Eucharist, the sacraments of the Church, Sacred Scripture, and in belonging to a faith community, God gives us many ways to grow closer to Jesus, and to direct our life toward him. In the pruning of sinful habits from our lives and building us up, through grace, to walk in the fear of the Lord, God transforms our hearts so that we remain in him, and he in us. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, we are enabled to speak out boldly in the name of the Lord.

GO: Just as the new life and growth of springtime is already very visible in many parts of the United States, today’s first reading describes a kind of springtime in the Church. Even as Saul faced multiple death threats, he continued to boldly proclaim the Good News. “The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers.” Today, many Christians around the world face persecution for their beliefs or live in cities or countries where violence, poverty, or hunger threaten their lives. We, too, face challenges and hardships. Life is not easy! Let us find “consolation” in the Holy Spirit and build up the Church and one another through prayer, generosity, and friendship.

PRAY: Consider spending an hour with Jesus in Eucharistic adoration. Find a small way to build up the Church beyond your family and parish by praying for Christians in other parts of the world.

Reflection for April 25, 2021

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 4:8-12

1 Jn 3:1-2

Jn 10:11-18                                      

GROW: I really feel for teenagers these days. It seems that today’s kids face – if not more challenges than I did – at least many more ways those challenges can present themselves. The usual adolescent pressures present themselves in person, as always, but also now on the many forms of social media. For young people, and all of us, living as “children of God” is certainly not for the faint of heart! As our Psalm today says, we should place our trust in God – take refuge in him – rather than in what others may think of us. Why? Because living as disciples of Jesus can fly in the face of cultural norms. After all, Jesus was the stone the builders rejected – who became the cornerstone! He and the apostles challenged the status quo and faced ridicule and rejection, and even death because of it. Still, they always did the right thing. That’s hard, for sure. But Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down his life for us, and that requires a response. Discipleship calls us to serve others by doing the right thing so that God’s kingdom will triumph over the kingdom of darkness. 

GO: St. John told his community that “the reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” The key to being a loving force for good in the world is humility, and looking to God, rather than how we are perceived on social media or the car we drive, for our identity and worth. Tackling our ego begins by taking stock of what we value and whose opinion (rightly or wrongly) matters to us. Once we have explored those troubled waters, we can absorb St. Teresa of Calcutta’s advice: “Accept being slighted, forgotten and disliked. Be kind and gentle even under provocation.” Our slow steady witness shines light into darkness. The consistent challenge of our Christian behavior, offered without judgment, will promote God’s values in our families, schools, work, and neighborhoods. Our faithful witness allows God to work. Remember, God uses the stones that are rejected to become the cornerstone.

PRAY: Pray for the Holy Spirit to strengthen you to live humbly. Then ask the Spirit to open the door for you to invite others to know the joy of living according to God’s ways. In the meantime, pray the Litany of Humility. It will help train your ego to seek God’s approval only.

Reflection for April 18, 2021

Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19
1 Jn 2:1-5a
Lk 24:35-48

GROW: In each of our lifetimes, we can look back to a time when we witnessed history. Depending on our generation, it’s likely we remember exactly what we were doing the day JFK was assassinated, on 9/11 or, more recently, when our school or workplace shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. Even these far-reaching events pale in comparison to what the disciples witnessed when the risen Christ appeared to them. Assuring them he was not a ghost, Jesus “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures,” and reminded them that they were witnesses to a different kind of history – salvation history: “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name.” Let us pray that we, too, may have our minds open to the eyewitness accounts in Scripture and our hearts open to repentance, so that “[our] sins may be wiped away.”

GO: I’m struck by the disciples’ reaction when they realized Jesus really was in the room. They were “incredulous for joy” and “amazed.” After this encounter with Jesus, they could not help but share the Good News. Just as the disciples in the early Church testified to Christ’s resurrection, today’s readings challenge us to share the Good News in a similar way. For many Catholics, this isn’t at the top of our skill-set. However, in a 2019 gathering on the New Evangelization, Pope Francis reminds us not to fret over finding the right words. “The joy of the Gospel comes from the encounter with Jesus,” he says. “When we meet the Lord, we are inundated by that love of which he alone is capable.” This love transforms our whole life, and “the need to announce it arises spontaneously, it becomes irrepressible.” The pope’s words challenge us first to deepen our relationship with Jesus, then to allow it to transform us, and finally to share Christ’s love through our words and actions.

STUDY: The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has a short document on its website from St. Paul Street Evangelization titled “Taking the First Step: Keys to Sharing Faith Person-to-Person.” Give it a read: usccb.org.  

Reflection for April 11, 2021

Sunday of Divine Mercy

Acts 4:32-35
1 Jn 5:1-6
Jn 20:19-31

GROW: Do you ever have times – at the dinner table or at a gathering of friends – where all seems right with the world? I often hold my breath, conscious of the fragility of those moments, fearful that saying something might jinx things. It’s a little like rooting for a pitcher cruising into the bottom of the ninth with a no-hitter – that feeling that we are on the verge of perfection. Well, as Christians, we are on that verge, although perfection will not come in this life but the next. And so, as fleeting as these human moments feel, and can actually be, we are reminded in today’s psalm: “Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting … Let those who fear the Lord say, ‘His mercy endures forever.’” As we celebrate this Divine Mercy Sunday, and enter the second week of Easter, let us give thanks for the gift of God’s great mercy, and pray for the grace to be as loving and merciful to others. 

GO: I’m taken by the story of doubting Thomas. For a long time I’ve focused on the “doubting” part of his name, the fact that he demanded to place his fingers in the nail marks and his hand in Jesus’ side. However, when Jesus addresses Thomas, Thomas’ response is immediate and unqualified: “My Lord and my God!” Thomas has recognized the divine nature of Jesus; he sees him not just as the man he has followed, but as God. As Catholics, we may sometimes face questions about how the Church has come to believe and teach certain things. Thomas’ ultimate affirmation encourages us to be steadfast in our faith, and to be patient with any of our own and others’ questions. That is because Christ will come to meet us where we are. As the Incarnation of God’s divine mercy, Jesus Christ is the one who hears our doubts and insecurities, and he answers them: “Here I am. Look at me. Touch me. Feel my presence.” Thomas was not afraid, and we need not fear either. God’s mercy is upon us, “and the victory that conquers the world is our faith.” Let us witness to our faith as Thomas did to his.

PRAY: Today is Divine Mercy Sunday, a day when we are reminded of God’s immense love and mercy for us. Learn more about this day and how to recite the Divine Mercy Chaplet: usccb.org/prolife/divine-mercy-sunday.

Reflection for April 4, 2021 - Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday

The Resurrection of the Lord

Acts 10:34a, 37-43
Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8
Jn 20:1-9

GROW: I have happy memories when I think about all the Easter celebrations I experienced as a child. Easter baskets with nicer-than-usual chocolate; indoor Easter egg hunts – check under the lampshade! – and wearing the best of our Sunday best to Mass. I wouldn’t trade these memories for anything, but writing this reflection reminds me that our modern-day celebrations and traditions don’t come close to truly capturing the gamut of emotions the disciples must have felt on that first day of the week. From the fear, despair and confusion they initially experienced, to the joy that would have enveloped them when they realized what the empty tomb meant: Jesus had risen! The beloved disciple entered the empty tomb of Christ in today’s Gospel, “and he saw and believed.” As Christians, I think we sometimes take this foundation of our faith for granted. And so I pray for a renewed sense of awe at the stunning reality: to “see and believe” that God so loved us that he gave his only Son, who died and rose so that we, too, might live forever in God’s love.

GO: Some days I wake up with particular joy or anticipation: “Today we are going on vacation!” Or, “Today my son graduates from college.” It is a wonderful feeling, and one that helps me jump – OK, roll a little faster – out of bed. If we take to heart the psalmist’s message today, we see that this is how God intends for us to awaken every day: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.” God is the author of our life, and on this Easter Sunday, we celebrate the gift of eternal life in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In today’s first reading, Peter relates how the disciples were commissioned to share the Good News of Christ’s resurrection. His words remind us that the story of Easter cannot and should not be contained. Instead, we are called to witness that “everyone who believes in [Jesus] will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” That is good news worth sharing, whether on our social media feed, or with our loved ones and those we encounter each day.

WITNESS: Happy Easter! Perhaps visit the graveside of a loved one, and take the opportunity to talk about life after death. Say a special prayer of thanks at your Easter meal. And remember to smile in the direction of new faces at Mass today!

Reflection for March 28, 2021 - Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion

Is 50:4-7
Phil 2:6-11
Mk 14:1—15:47 or
Mk 15:1-39

GROW: From early childhood, I remember Palm Sunday – there was a kind of excitement about receiving the fresh palms, followed by the somber reading of the Passion. The contrast strikes me: While the palms, in ancient times, symbolized goodness and victory, hope and triumph, the account of Jesus’ suffering and death reminds us of the price he paid for our redemption. Jesus knew that we can’t have one without the other. It is the paradox of the cross: Jesus gave his life so that we might live. For many, the past year has been like one long Good Friday, filled with discouragement, suffering, and loss. As we reflect on Jesus’ passion, the palms we carry home remain a sign of hope; we know now how the story will end. As we place our palms in a special place, let us say a prayer of thanks to Jesus and ask for the grace to renew our faith and trust in God as we enter Holy Week.

GO: There is a richness in the liturgies of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil that are both humbling and uplifting. This time period, known as the Sacred Triduum (Latin for “three days”) is the official end of Lent, and the summit of the liturgical year. As a society, we give far more attention to the buildup and celebration of Christmas – which is not to deny its importance, of course! – and so sometimes the Triduum is not as familiar to people in both its meaning and importance. Yet, it is during these days that we most intentionally remember and celebrate the gift of our redemption; we liturgically embrace the paschal mystery of Christ: dying he destroyed our death, and rising he restored our life. We have faced a difficult year together, and we rely on each other for prayer. As we continue through this Holy Week, perhaps we can accompany each other by attending the services with one another, or at least setting aside complementary prayer time on our own.

PRAY: A local Eagle Scout built a beautiful outdoor Stations of the Cross at a college campus near us. Visit your parish or outdoor stations and reflect on each one. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has excellent resources for praying the stations: www.usccb.org.

Reflection for March 7, 2021

Third Sunday of Lent

Ex 20:1-17 or

Ex 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17

1 Cor 1:22-25

Jn 2:13-25

GROW: We have rules in our house. Every family does. “No back talk. Do your chores. Bedtime. Curfews. Respect one another. Be kind.” Rules bring order out of chaos, forge a shared identity, and set standards to which everyone is held. Not surprisingly, life in God’s family has rules, too. Hence the Ten Commandments, which we hear today. They begin with these words: “I, the Lord, am your God.” If we miss that line, we miss the point of the rules – of the law. God’s law is about God’s love. Through his laws, God taught the Israelites a new way to live based on God’s values: humility, justice, love, sacrifice, simplicity, kindness, and mercy – values they rarely saw when enslaved in Egypt. This Lent, we give thanks to God for the law of love and we pray to grow in this love, and be strengthened in virtue.       

GO: Today’s Gospel reminds me of the time my older son once helped his younger brother understand the rules of a game we were playing. He did so by showing his own cards, which meant he would lose that round. While not done under the same circumstances, or with the same anger with which Jesus cleansed the temple, my older son did what he did for the same reason and with the same effect: love. When Jesus cleansed the temple, he did so out of love: love for God the Father, and love for those being exploited by the marketers. We have an opportunity this Lent to witness to this same love of Christ by putting the needs of others first. Sure, our kids demand our time, energy, and resources. Our spouses and parents sometimes do, too. To follow Christ means to choose to sacrifice for others with love, not simply because it has to be done. Christ infused the world with love through his sacrifice. We have the opportunity to be Christ today when we make our sacrifices out of love.

ACTIONS: Read the Ten Commandments this week and imagine God giving you all the wisdom you could ever want in those rules. Think about the chaos those rules have protected you from in your life. Imagine telling your loved ones how to find happiness by following the way God guarantees will lead to joy. (Read John 3:16)

Reflection for February 28, 2021

Second Sunday of Lent

Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18

Rom 8:31b-34

Mk 9:2-10

GROW: Oh, the gloom! The view out my window on a typical Michigan winter day can be described as “grayscale monochrome,” a technical term for black-and-white photographs. Fortunately, the sun peeks out on occasion, providing a lovely sunrise or sunset that can lift my mood and remind me that spring will come. If such an ordinary thing can provide hope, imagine what the Transfiguration provided for the disciples who witnessed it? “His clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.” And even though they were so terrified,  the voice of God came from a cloud, conveying comfort and truth: “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” The disciples did not know what lay ahead, but this vision of Jesus and the Father’s presence in their midst would give them hope and foretell Jesus’ glorious resurrection. As we continue on our Lenten journey, we can turn to God, who will one day transfigure us in the same way Christ was, to strengthen us through the gray days ahead. And St. Paul’s powerful words that “God is for us” add solace and encouragement.

GO: As Catholics, we are likely very familiar with the four Gospels, but I have to say I can’t get enough of Paul’s letters. Like a good coach, Paul encourages us to dig deep and trust God. In today’s reading, he reminds the Romans that God loves us so much that he did not spare his own Son. I’m struck by his assurance that Jesus not only died and was raised for us, but “indeed intercedes for us.” Lent is an ideal time to turn to Jesus in prayer, asking that he give us the grace to grow in faith and turn away from sin. At the same time,  we can offer intercessory prayer for others, just as we do at every Mass. Perhaps as we continue our Lenten journey, we can make an extra effort to pray for the needs of other people: Those we know personally, such as friends and family members; and those whom we do not know, such as government leaders or Christians experiencing persecution in other countries.

PRAY: I find that I often make prayer all about me! Yet, as the Church teaches, “in intercession, those who pray look ‘not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others,’ even to the point of praying for those who do them harm.” (CCC 2635) One way to practice intercessory prayer is to make a list and pray for the people and intentions on it once a day. For those of us who regularly pray the rosary, another practice might be to dedicate each decade to an individual in need of prayer.

Reflection for February 21, 2021

First Sunday of Lent

Gn 9:8-15

1 Pt 3:18-22

Mk 1:12-15

GROW: Even amid the forced slowdown of a pandemic, distractions abound: Netflix bingeing, online shopping, even positive pursuits like home organizing and personal fitness. I confess I indulge in all of these (except for home organizing). Lent challenges me to let go of the unnecessary distractions and dare to make friends with solitude, which can be a daunting proposition because it means keeping company with my own thoughts. Jesus, our human and divine Savior, faced the desert and was tempted by Satan. But he also emerged from the desert, and announced himself and the Gospel to the people of Galilee. He goes on to accept his death on a cross for the sake of our salvation, the fulfillment of the covenant between God and his people. As we enter Lent, as we enter our desert, we pray for the fortitude to forego temptation, opening our hearts to God’s will for us, and ready to proclaim it to the world.

GO:  What are you doing for Lent this year? I ask our kids that every Ash Wednesday around the dinner table, and one or more of us often scramble for a plan. “Umm … candy! I’ll give up candy except Snickers.” “No Netflix!” Or we take the “do good” route: “I’ll pray more.” “I’ll help with chores.” “I’ll volunteer or donate to charity.” All good things. Whatever “the plan,” however, today’s Gospel challenges me to be quiet and listen. While a plan gives us accountability and can lead to growth, sometimes less truly can be more. This year, I’d like to spend less time planning and more time listening for God’s voice in the silence, which I find personally challenging. For others, the desert may look quite different. However we decide to approach Lent, let us pray that these 40 days bring us closer to God and our lives more in line with his will for us.  

PRAY: “One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.” The verse before today’s Gospel caught my attention. What can I pare away from my daily life to make room for the word of God? For those of us whose minds tend to wander when praying silently, perhaps listening to the daily readings can be a good way to start or end the day.

Reflection for February 14

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Lv 13:1-2, 44-46

1 Cor 10:31—11:1

Mk 1:40-45

GROW: While leprosy as found in Biblical times is now rare and very treatable, it is not hard to imagine the tragic consequences it had on those who were affected.  They suffered physically, but also socially and emotionally:  Levitical priests declared lepers unclean, banishing them from the religious community. Jesus, as he did so often, would upend these conventions in his encounter with the leper in today’s Gospel. “Moved with pity,” Jesus healed him, telling him to return to the local priest for readmittance to the community. Jesus’ model of compassion for the man is meant for us to embody. Modern culture continues to stigmatize people perceived as different – those suffering from depression and other mental illnesses, the homeless, perhaps those who struggle with cognitive disabilities – shunning them in different ways from full participation in community. To imitate Christ, as Paul alludes, is to have compassion for the needs of others – to “be moved with pity.”  Let us pray for the grace to put on the mind and heart of Christ, and dignify the presence of all our brothers and sisters in our community.

GO: I admit I was taken aback by today’s Old Testament reading: Not only were lepers banished from the religious community, but they had to announce themselves by crying out “Unclean, unclean!” Jesus changed all that. He healed the leper, encouraging him to return to the priest for readmittance. I am struck by how the leper approached Jesus. He did not demand a cure, but asked, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Although it is unlikely that any of us in the developed world will experience leprosy, we ourselves or people we know may carry inner struggles that have led to separation from the Church or a sense of isolation. In our humanity, we do not have the power to heal these maladies on our own. Instead, let us come to Jesus as the leper does, asking him, if he wills it, to heal us and our wounded world. Let us pray with confidence, knowing that Jesus in his compassion can and will make us clean and whole.

REFLECT: Who are today’s lepers? What are the inner struggles or wounds that may keep us from fully participating in our parish community or have left us estranged from members of our own family? Bring these before Jesus in your own words. Call a family member you have fallen out of touch with. Invite a person who has left the Church to lunch and listen with compassion.

Reflection for February 7, 2021

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jb 7:1-4, 6-7

1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23

Mk 1:29-39

GROW: I remember taking my oldest son on a tour of a technical theater program at a state university. He had been considering an IT field – he’s everyone’s go-to whenever a technical issue arises. The theater professor said, “Enroll in our program only if you can’t do anything else.” The implication was clear: Choose this field if you love it so much you can’t imagine pursuing a different career. My son tried a more practical direction, but ultimately came back to theater, where he thrived! I thought of this story when listening to Paul’s Letter to the Corinthians: He preached the Gospel because he had to – excuse the double negative, but he could not “not” share the Good News with everyone he met! Once he encountered Jesus, he willingly devoted his life to sharing the story of love and salvation to all those who he encountered – the weak and the powerful, rich and poor, saints and sinners. Let us pray that God helps us recapture the wonder the crowds must have felt in Jesus’ presence – wonder that compels us to share the Good News, too.

GO: Wherever you happen to live, imagine “the whole town gathered at the door.” Even in the smallest of villages, that would be a big deal! So it was with Jesus, where crowds seemed to follow him wherever he went, wanting to catch a glimpse of this carpenter’s son who cured the sick and drove out demons. When the disciples found him off by himself, praying, and told him “everyone is looking for you,” Jesus tells them they need to move on to nearby villages. I sense an urgency in Mark’s account of Jesus’ movements, showing Jesus as compelled to reach as many people as possible during his public ministry. As I hear this, I think how easy it is for us Catholics to remain in our comfort zones – whether a favorite pew, the same core group of “parish friends,” or even sticking with one ministry or one Mass time. But, as Jesus shows us, preaching the Good News – witnessing to the power of God in our lives – means we cannot stand idly by. We must share this news.

WITNESS: What if we tried to emulate Jesus, albeit in a small way, by reaching beyond our “circles” to greet someone new at our parish, volunteer for the first time or in a different way, or – yes – sit in a different spot! In doing so, we can challenge ourselves to “stretch” a bit and welcome others into our world.

Reflection for January 31, 2021

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dt 18:15-20

1 Cor 7:32-35

Mk 1:21-28

GROW: When was the last time you were “astonished” and “amazed”? Parents might point to the birth of their child. Space enthusiasts might recall Neil Armstrong’s walk on the moon. Perhaps we felt that sense of amazement the first time we saw the Grand Canyon or another natural wonder. For the people of Capernaum, Jesus had that effect. He taught with authority. He commanded an unclean spirit. In our modern society with the constant bombardment of news and social media, it can be easy to become numb to the wonder that surrounds us. Perhaps we think we’ve seen it all. Even Jesus and the words that turned ordinary people into extraordinary disciples of the early Church can be something we take for granted or only think about for 20 minutes on Sunday. Our Gospel challenges us to quiet the noise, and Paul encourages us to seek “adherence to the Lord without distraction.” Let us pray that the Lord rekindles our faith, so that we may hear his words again as if for the first time and engage ourselves anew in living according to his teachings.

GO: It is very hard to keep exciting news to ourselves. We have an innate desire to share important information and  extraordinary events with those whom we love. It could be the call to parents to announce an engagement. Or perhaps telling a friend that you have landed a job or been accepted to college. While these milestones are significant, they pale in comparison to what Jesus has done for us. Through him, we have experienced God’s love, mercy, and redemption, not to mention the direction and means to attain a good life: on earth and with him forever in heaven. Why not share that Good News as well? We don’t have to stand on a street corner to be effective. We can simply let our faith lives enter our conversations, just as our work and other interests do. It could be as simple as, “our priest said something Sunday that really stuck with me,” or “I just finished a remarkable book about Dorothy Day.” As we begin to talk about our faith and listen to others share their insights, we not only grow closer to one another, but can grow in faith together.

WITNESS: Today’s psalm struck a chord: “If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” Next Sunday, make a conscious effort to listen to the readings and music with an open heart (and ears). If something strikes you, consider sharing that with others – be it around the dinner table, on a walk with friends, or during a video call.

Reflection for January 24, 2021

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jon 3:1-5, 10

1 Cor 7:29-31

Mk 1:14-20

GROW: On first hearing, Jonah’s warning to the city of Nineveh seems a bit extreme for my modern ears: Get your act together in 40 days or your city will be destroyed! Yet, rather than panic or rail against him, the people believed and turned away from evil. We hear a similar theme in Mark’s Gospel: “The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” Listening to the readings today, I hear these words not as a threat but as an invitation to get our lives back on track. We may not don sackcloth like the people of Nineveh, but we may need to fast from the distractions and skewed priorities that prevent us from loving God and one another. With the psalmist, we pray, “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my savior.”

GO: I never understood why the middle-school track coach had my son, the shortest kid on the team, run hurdles. I’d shut my eyes and cringe a bit when he’d approach each one, occasionally catching his toe but fearlessly pressing forward. Sometimes the Christian life can feel that way – while I’ve never tried hurdles, I’m known to trip on the slightest crack in a sidewalk. Likewise, I often trip up on the path to becoming a better person – blurting out unkind words, spending more time online shopping than praying … well, I won’t make you cringe by oversharing my “sin list.” In today’s readings, the Lord invites us to repent – to turn away from bad habits and choices. By turning to the Lord, we can overcome the obstacles that hold us back from living our Gospel values and sharing them with others through the witness of our lives.

INVITE: Through the sacrament of reconciliation, the Church offers us a standing invitation to experience God’s unconditional love and mercy. Whether you go regularly or it’s been awhile, consider participating in the sacrament and inviting others to do the same.

Reflection for January 17, 2021

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

1 Sm 3:3b-10, 19

1 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20

Jn 1:35-42

GROW: Have you ever seen The Good Place?  While clearly not theologically accurate, it is a thought-provoking Netflix comedy that focuses on four good but flawed characters who meet in the afterlife. I can relate to the character of Chidi, who strives to live a moral life but is crippled by indecisiveness. Do I buy the brown shoes or the black ones? Should I order the salad or the salmon? And I still can’t decide on a career! So I’m amazed at John and the disciples in today’s Gospel. John immediately recognizes Jesus as the Lamb of God. Hearing this, do the disciples ask for a second opinion or draw up a pros and cons list? Nope. They follow him. They recognize the Messiah and act. Their response of faith challenges me to think less and do more, to worry less and pray more. We may not see Jesus in his human form walking by, but we can see his image in others, and hear him through the Scriptures and at Mass. Let us pray for the grace to respond wholeheartedly.

GO: Everyone loves an invitation, though perhaps we’ve forgotten what those are like during these months of pandemic. Today’s readings remind me that, pandemic notwithstanding, we all have a standing invitation from God; it’s up to us to respond. When Samuel heard God’s voice in the night, he listened. In today’s responsorial psalm, we hear, “Here I am Lord; I come to do your will.” And the Gospel tells us how the disciples dropped everything to follow Jesus. Through prayer, we, too can listen for God’s voice and respond. And, just as Eli realized God was calling Samuel and John encouraged the disciples, we can accompany others. By sharing our experience and inviting others to share the way Jesus has spoken to them, we can encourage one another as we seek to turn our lives over to God.

STUDY: Many of us slow down a bit during these wintry months after the holidays. Why not use our “down time” to listen to God’s word, not only by attending Mass in-person or online, but through popular apps like iMissal and Word on Fire. Invite friends to do the same and then hold each other accountable by initiating an online group to discuss each week's readings.

Reflection for January 10, 2021

The Baptism of the Lord

Is 42:1-4, 6-7
or Is 55:1-11

Acts 10:34-38
or 1 Jn 5:1-9

Mk 1:7-11

GROW: Those of us who are parents or godparents remember fondly the day of our child or godchild’s baptism. I remember feeling the warmth from the congregation and from extended family and friends as they joined us in welcoming our beloved infant into Christ’s Church. The smell of the chrism from the anointing of his head with oil, and the sound of the flowing waters served as visceral reminders of our precious child’s birth into new, divine life with Jesus. Today, as we celebrate the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, we give thanks to Jesus, who at his baptism immersed himself into the enormous weight of humanity’s sinfulness [while of course remaining sinless himself]. Marking the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus’ baptism is the foundation for our own, inviting us to become God’s own sons and daughters “in whom he is well pleased.” Just as the Spirit descended upon Jesus and anointed him, the Spirit descends on us at our baptism, empowering us to follow Jesus’ example and build up the kingdom of God.

GO: Water and oil are two of the symbols of baptism, a third is the white garment [sometimes a bib placed over a small child] worn by the one being baptized. I know of a pastoral associate who embroiders the name and date of baptism on the white garments of every child or infant baptized at her large parish. As we read in the catechism, “The white garment symbolizes that the person baptized has ‘put on Christ,’ has risen with Christ.” (1243) Gratitude is the proper disposition to thinking about our baptism, and the ones who brought us to it. How might our lives be different, and richer, if each morning, as we dress for the day, we pray in gratitude for the ability, and what it means, to, “put on Christ” in our daily lives?

ACT: Express gratitude. Are your parents and godparents still alive? If so, call them or send a card thanking them for their presence at your baptism, and assure them of your prayers. If they are not alive, perhaps think of one or two people who have been there for you in your life as instruments of God’s grace. And then extend your gratitude to them.

Reflection for January 3, 2021

The Epiphany of the Lord

Is 60:1-6

Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6

Gospel: Mt 2:1-12

GROW: The Christmas tree has become a fire hazard, shedding needles everywhere. The kids have cast aside their new toys. Perhaps we’ve overspent this holiday season and are vaguely anxious about the bills. The bookmark in our Advent devotional is stuck at Dec. 9, and we’ve already blown a couple New Year’s resolutions. And yet, the words of prophet Isaiah shake us out of our doldrums: “Rise up in splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you … Raise your eyes and look about.” Freed from the busyness of the holiday season, we get a kind of do-over. Even on the grayest of winter days, Christ’s light breaks through in this new year and presents new opportunities to open ourselves to the activity of the Holy Spirit acting in our lives. Let us pray for the grace to recognize it.

GO: I love the feast of the Epiphany because I went into labor with my oldest son that night; he came into the world on a rainy, blustery Monday morning in 1998. I remember the joy my healthy baby boy brought to me and my husband, his grandmas, aunts, uncles and cousins. Imagine the joy the Wise Men must have felt when they followed that star and saw baby Jesus for the first time! They praised the Christ Child with their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. God still dwells among us today, and the Light of Christ beckons us all to follow it. As we bless our homes this Epiphany and pray, “May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love,” let us witness to God’s presence in our homes and in our hearts by offering Christ our very own gifts – of our lives and our abiding faith in him.

PRAY the Blessing of the Home and Household: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling place among us. It is Christ who enlightens our hearts and homes with his love. May all who enter this home find Christ’s light and love.”

Reflection for November 15, 2020

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31

1 Thes 5:1-6

Mt 25:14-30

GROW: I’m bemused by the servant in today’s Gospel who basically buries the single talent that was entrusted to him. (A talent was an ancient measuring unit of weight for silver and gold.) Meanwhile, the other two wisely invested the talents entrusted to them, and doubled their money. Building on last week’s Gospel which showed those who were prepared to meet the bridegroom were invited into the wedding feast, this parable challenges us to realize that the invitation to the feast is the beginning, not the end. We are not to rest comfortably with what we have been given – the gift of faith – but to invest in the Kingdom, and to build on that gift of faith. For example, we may have a palpable experience of God’s presence at a retreat or through Eucharistic adoration. However, if that goes no further than being buried as a memory or feel-good experience, we are no better than the wicked, lazy servant. Faith is a gift intended to be put into practice and shared. When we invest in it through the sacraments, serving others, and reading the Scriptures, our faith will continue to grow.

GO: So, I’m a bit of a hoarder. I cling to mementoes of days past, whether it’s my son’s first plastic Playskool vacuum (sold at a garage sale by my husband, but that’s another story), a book given to me by a friend, or a treasured letter. I admit I relate to the servant who buried his money for fear he’d lose it. Sometimes I think I cling to memories – relationships and experiences that are important to me – and fail to invest in what makes those memories valuable. A similar dynamic can happen with our faith and our friendship with Jesus. We can go through the motions without giving it much thought. Today’s Gospel challenges us to seek opportunities to grow in our faith and “make new memories” with Jesus – to invest in building the kingdom of God, whether that’s inviting a friend to Mass, returning to the Eucharist ourselves, or spending more time with Scripture. By putting our faith into action in this way, we cannot only grow in our faith, but invite others to come along with us on the journey.

ENCOUNTER: Find a Eucharistic adoration chapel near you and spend some time with Christ. Thank Jesus for the blessings in your life. Bring him your needs. Ask Jesus to give you his grace that you might grow in union with him.

Reflection for November 8, 2020

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Wis 6:12-16

1 Thes 4:13-18 or 4:13-14

Mt 25:1-13

GROW: Google is a mixed blessing for me. One time, it helped me figure out I had a medical emergency and needed to get to the ER pronto! But a glance at my search history reveals that 99 out of 100 times that I’m searching for wisdom of some sort, I’m searching for things like “meatless Monday recipes,” “best long-run shoes,” or “living room paint colors” (plus 12 variations on each theme). This recognition came to mind when I listened to the words of our first reading. “She [Wisdom] is readily perceived by those who love her, and found by those who seek her.” Hearing this reminds me to spend less time Googling and more time searching for what really matters – God’s love, goodness, and wisdom. The Gospel story of the virgins keeping vigil for the bridegroom expands on this, for it is the wise who are most prepared to sustain their watch.  

GO: Like many people, I have a bookshelf full of self-help books – guides to parenting, figuring out the color of my parachute, various diets, the magic of “tidying up.” Today’s readings have me wondering whether these well-meaning efforts to become “the best version of myself,” or plumb the meaning of life, miss the point. After all, as today’s readings remind us, the source of all wisdom is right before us, in the person of Jesus. We don’t have to have all the answers, we just need to know where to look, and to have the patience and wherewithal to be prepared to receive it. By studying the Scripture and opening our eyes to the presence of God in others and even in the challenges we face, we can grow closer to Jesus and be ready to meet the bridegroom when he comes.

REFLECT: Read and pray today’s responsorial psalm. (Ps 63:2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8)

My soul is thirsting for you, O Lord my God.
O God, you are my God whom I seek;
for you my flesh pines and my soul thirsts
like the earth, parched, lifeless and without water.