30 Sunday Ordinary Time, year A
When asked, "what is the greatest commandment?" it is significant that Jesus answers with more than one commandment (Mt 22:34-40). We need to love God... but... we can't really love God unless we love our neighbour... but... we can't really love our neighbour unless we love ourselves. To love God, then, we need to love others (especially the difficult ones) in a way that shows we actually like them.
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29 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year A
In today's Gospel (Matthew 22:15-21), Jesus deftly avoids a trap sprung with the question: "Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?" Not only does Jesus expose the hypocrisy of those trying to trap Him, He also teaches a profound lesson about who has true authority over us and the world, and the inalienable dignity of each person.
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28 Sunday of Ordinary Time, year A
Matthew 22:1-14
What do we make of the extreme language we hear from Jesus in the Gospel today (Matthew 22:1-14)? Jesus seems to be raising an alarm in the passage, compelling us to take action so that we do not loose the great goodness offered to us now and for eternity.
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27 Sunday of Ordinary Time, C
On this Thanksgiving weekend, we express our gratitude to God for our many gifts, particularly being called to be followers of Jesus. The parable of the vineyard in the Gospel today (Matthew 21:33-43) reminds us that these gifts come with the responsibility to use them for the benefit of others. The Synod is an opportunity for all in the Church to pray about how we can live up to this responsibility, bearing the most fruit in our world.
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26 Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A
We have all experienced losses. In the second reading today from Phil 2, Paul teaches his audience how to live in peace when things are taken away from them. By following Jesus' example of kenosis (= self-emptying), naming our losses, and serving other in the midst of our struggles, we can find healing and life.
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