Reflections

November 1 and 2 are important days for our Catholic faith. We profess: “I believe in the Catholic Church, the communion of Saints.” November 1 we commemorate all the saints who we believe entered heaven. Rev. 7:3-8 tells us that a seal was put on the foreheads of 12,000 from every tribe of Israel, totalling…

Wis. 11:22-12:2; 2 Thes. 1:11-2:2; Lk. 19:1-10 The first reading from the Book of Wisdom tells us: “For you love all things that are and loathe nothing that you have made…you spare all things, because they are yours, O Lord and lover of souls… Therefore you rebuke offenders little by little, warn them and remind…

Sir 35:12-14, 16-18. 2 Tim 4:6-8, 16-18. Lk 18:9-14. The Prophet Jeremiah reminds us that God is biased for the oppressed, the orphan and the widow; “The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds.” Already in Exodus 22:22-23, Yahweh warned Israel: “If ever you wrong them and they cry out to me, I will surely…

Ex 17:8-13; 2 Tim 3:14-4:2; Lk 18:1-8 The first reading from Exodus tells us of Moses holding up the staff on a hill nearby while Joshua led the Israelites in a battle against Amalek. If Moses would get tired and lower his hands, Amalek would gain in battle. Moses’ hands had to be supported by…

2 Kgs 5:14-17; 2 Tim 2:8-13 Lk 17:11-19.           Leprosy even today evokes fear and some sense of repulsion. In the time of Jesus it was most feared because of its visible effects in the skin of the person and also because it was contagious; one could easily be contaminated. Thus, the leper had to…

Hab 1:2-3; 2:2-4; 2 Tm 1:6-8, 13-14; Lk 17:5-10 The disciples saw how Jesus demanded from, and praised the faith of, those who asked for healing. When the apostles were now themselves commissioned by Jesus to proclaim the Gospel, they perceived the painful disproportion between the mission they received and the littleness of their own…

Am. 6:1a, 4-7; Tim. 6:11-16; Lk 16:19-31. The first reading from the prophet Amos already shows us how Yahweh rebuked the wealthy in Israel who did not care for the homeless, the hungry, the sick and the aged among them. Amos graphically portrays their luxurious lives: “beds of ivory,” “eat lambs and calves,” “improvising music…

Ex 32:7-11, 13-14/ 1 Tm 1:12-17 Lk 15:1-32. The three parables we read this Sunday are called the parables of mercy. The chapter begins by saying that Jesus “welcomes sinners and eats with them.” We are all sinners and Jesus welcomes us to his dining table. The shepherd “goes after the lost one until he…

Wis 9:13-18b; Phlm 9-10, 12-17. Lk 14:25-33. In the 1st reading from the Book of Wisdom we are made to realize that: “the deliberations of mortals are timid and unsure are our plans.” It is our common experience that economic planners often make mistakes in their calculations of supply and demand. We heard that thousands…

Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 Heb 12:18-19, 22-24a Lk 14:1, 7-14. At the opening of the Gospel we are told that Jesus noticed “how the guests were choosing the places of honor at the table.” In this behavior we first see vanity.  But as we observe more we can notice pride and self-esteem that devalues others.…