People Will Come and Take Their Place in the Kingdom of God                Today’s Gospel reading is the third of three parables in chapter 13 that deal with the theme of the unexpected reversals brought by the Kingdom of God. As this parable opens, Luke reminds us that Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem.…

Jesus Brings Fire and Division                 The readings for the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C are not easy to hear. Jesus speaks clearly. He says He did not come to bring peace, but fire. He warns that even families will be divided because of Him. His words are bold and direct. This may…

 Be Prepared, for at an Hour You do not Expect, the Son of Man Will Come.                Jesus’ instructions on how to be ready for the coming judgment continue in the stories and sayings found in today’s Gospel. The antidote for the anxiety brought on by the coming judgment is to relinquish our possessions and…

In today’s Gospel, we heard of the Lord Jesus speaking to the people and responding to someone from the crowd who asked Him to be a judge between him and his brother. At any time and age, disputes between family members, friends and others regarding money, material wealth and privileges are commonplace, and it can…

God is Not Behind a Locked Door                   Jesus’ words today are unforgettable: “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” These are not empty promises. They are invitations to relationship. Jesus knows we sometimes feel like we’re knocking on heaven’s door in the…

We Are all Called to Hospitality—and Discipleship                   The story of Jesus in the home of Martha and Mary complements the story of the Good Samaritan, which immediately precedes it in Luke’s Gospel. Both stories are unique to Luke. The story of the Samaritan opens with the words “a certain man.” Today’s reading opens with…

The Faith Is Not Complicated                   If there’s one lesson we can take from today’s readings it’s that our faith is simple. Jesus patiently fields these Jesuitical questions from a lawyer cross-examining him about the two great commandments: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. It doesn’t get much clearer than that. But Jesus…

 I Am Sending You Out                   Today’s Gospel is about Christ conferring His mission on the seventy-two disciples. Christ wants to instill apostolic daring into his disciples; this is why he says, “I send you out,” which leads St John Chrysostom to comment: “This suffices to give us encouragement, to give us confidence and to ensure…

“Quo Vadis, Domine?”  “Lord, where are you going?” St. Peter and St. Paul are the principal pillars of the Church. That is why this Sunday we celebrate the feast of their martyrdom, replacing the normal readings for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Today’s Gospel explains the basis of our faith as the acceptance of Jesus…

This is My Body That is For You. Do this in Remembrance of Me                   Today, we celebrate the solemn feast of Corpus Christi. It is three feasts in one: the feast of the Eucharistic sacrifice, the feast of the Sacrament of the Eucharist and the feast of the Real Presence of Jesus in this Sacrament. Although…