Ascension of the Lord
MARK 16:15-20 (Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Ephesians 1:17-23) The Gospel of Mark originally ended very abruptly and on a disappointing note. The faithful women who had followed Jesus from Galilee to Jerusalem knew where the body of Jesus had been hurriedly buried. Once the Sa...Read full story »
Tuesday, May 12, 2015
Sixth Sunday of Easter
In this sequel to the parable of the Vine and Branches, John meditates on the relationship of love and commandment. All statements are attributed to Jesus, but it must be remembered that the most probable date for the Gospel of John is in the mid-nineties of the first Christian century...Read full story »
Monday, May 04, 2015
Fifth Sunday after Easter
The Parable of the Vine and the Branches is part of John’s meditation on the Last Supper, chapters 13-17. The parable opens with these words, “I am the true vine.” To understand the meaning of the parable of the Vine and the Branches, two approaches are necessary. The first...Read full story »
Monday, April 27, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Easter
JOHN 10:11-18; (Acts 4:8-12; Ps. 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29; 1 John 3:1-2) The parable of the Good Shepherd. Crucial to understanding what John is teaching by this para-able is Ezekiel 34. The bulk of Ezekiel’s ministry took place between 593 and 586 B.C., not in Jerusalem but in Ba...Read full story »
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Third Sunday of Easter
Luke 24:35-48 (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Psalm 4:2, 4, 7-8, 9; 1 John 2:1-5a) This Sunday’s gospel reading is a sequel to Jesus’ encounter with two disciples on the walk home from Jerusalem to Emmaus. The risen Lord, whom they had not yet recognized, was sharing a meal with the...Read full story »
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Second Sunday of Easter
JOHN 20:19-31 (Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24; 1 John 5:1-6) On Easter Sunday the gospel reading reported the visit of Mary Magdalene to the tomb of Jesus. Next there was a visit from Simon Peter and the disciple called “the Beloved Disciple.” All found the tomb...Read full story »
Tuesday, April 07, 2015
The Resurrection of our Lord
JOHN 20:1-9 (Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8) It was the first day of the week, Sunday to us, a workday for the Jews of Jesus’ time. One of his most faithful disciples, Mary of Magdala (Magdalene), came to the tomb of Jesus very early, so ear...Read full story »
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Palm Sunday
MARK 14:1-15:47 (Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24; Philippians 2:6-11) The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark is the oldest version of the Passion in our four gospels. Luke and Matthew expanded Mark’s version according to their own theology and tr...Read full story »
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Fifth Sunday of Lent
JOHN 12:20-33 (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13,14-15; Hebrews 5:7-9) Jesus’ final Passover in Jerusalem is at hand. He had visited his friends Martha and Mary in Bethany on the Mount of Olives. Out of love for them and their recently deceased brother Lazarus, he restored life to...Read full story »
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Fourth Sunday of Lent
JOHN 3:14-21 (2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23; Psalm 137:1-6; Ephesians 4:2-10) This Sunday’s gospel reading follows a dialogue between Jesus and Nicodemus. The latter was an important man in the Jewish establishment in Jerusalem. He was a member of the Sanhedrin. He was intrigued enough...Read full story »
Monday, March 09, 2015
