Reflections for Ordinary Time

All three of our readings this week talk about inclusion and exclusion, being on the inside vs on the outside. The Book of Isaiah is remarkable for its championing of an inclusive view of God’s relationship with humankind. Today’s reading (Is 56:1, 6-7) is just one example among many. The opportunity offered to “all people” […]

The readings this week provide us with an interesting comparison between Elijah and Peter (1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a and Mt 14:22-33). Both have been called by God, personally and directly. Neither is handling it very well.  Elijah has just run away from trouble – not unreasonably we might think, since he’s upset the king’s wife

The Transfiguration is arguably the most dramatic event described in the gospels.  I guess bringing people back to life is also up there but, at least in the way the gospels talk about it, doesn’t have quite the wow factor of the Transfiguration.  If the Resurrection were described, doubtless it would take prize position, but

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

Jeremiah lived about 5000 years ago. His world sounds very familiar. There is a lot of denouncing going on, and people trying to get back at their enemies. This was the world as they understood it and, not surprisingly, God is described as fitting into it. He will look out for his own and damn

We are used to the connection between the first of our readings and the gospel reading, while second often follows its own independent path. But today the more obvious connection is between the first and second readings. Both talk of the relationship of God with his people (Ex 19:2-6a). At the beginning the Israelites, through