Reflections for July 2023

Yet more parables about the Kingdom! And at the end of it Jesus says to the disciples, “ok, do you get it now?” To which they respond, “oh yes!” (Mt 13:44-52) I have to wonder whether they were being entirely truthful at this point. Having needed explanations all along the way, now they get it? […]

This week we hear three parables about the Kingdom (Mt 13:24-43). The reading finishes with a fiery furnace and wailing and gnashing of teeth – very atmospheric but in a way unfortunate because it tends to overshadow everything that comes before.  If we look at the parables as a set, one striking thing is how

“… blessed are your eyes, because they see, and your ears, because they hear.” So that’s good – our eyes and ears are working, we’re seeing and hearing what Jesus is saying. And that’s a lot better than all those who are not. So we should be pretty pleased about that, yes? For sure. But

Last week we previewed Jesus’ statement that following him was not difficult. Maybe not a walk in the park, but he isn’t out to make our lives more challenging.  What struck me, seeing the passage in context this week (Mt 11:25-30), is how Matthew positions it alongside a clear christological statement [Christology – the study

How difficult is it to be a Christian? Sometimes it sounds a breeze – “My yoke is easy and my burden is light” Jesus tells us one time (Mt 11:30).  But today’s gospel reading (Mt 10:37-42) seems to give us a different perspective: “whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is