Reflections for Ordinary Time

Jesus’ famous play on words “You are Peter and on this rock I will build my church” (Peter and rock are the same word in Aramaic) has always been seen as the basis for papal authority. It’s not very clear what Jesus had in mind when he referred to “his church” – the concept is […]

Prejudice and discrimination between different groups of people is as old as human history. There was plenty of it in the history of the Israelites. Isaiah stands out as a prophet recognizing the universality of God’s love and redemption. We hear today one account of many where he emphasizes the universality of God’s kingdom. The

Last week we had a large scale miracle – the feeding of thousands. This week we have a miracle at the opposite end of the scale – only a few disciples are involved. Miracles in some way show the power of Jesus. But that power comes in many different shapes and sizes. In the case

Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Today we hear Paul’s strident affirmation that there is no power in heaven or earth that can separate us from the love of God. Christ’s power is total and nothing can stand against it. Isaiah tells us that anyone can come and eat and drink what

I suspect everyone struggles at some time with the question of how a good God allows bad things to happen. And more specifically why bad people get away with it. For some this is an insurmountable barrier to believing in God. “I can’t accept a God that lets such things happen.” This feeling isn’t new.

Today’s readings start with an upbeat view from Isaiah (Is 55:10-11). God’s word will wash over everything, like the rain. And like the rain that Word brings growth and nourishment. And it won’t stop until God’s will is accomplished. In the Gospel (Matt 13:1-23) Jesus also quotes from Isaiah (Is 6:9-10), but that quotation has