Reading: Matthew 18:21-35 Two little boys had quarrelled. But the next morning, Johnny took his cap and headed for Bobby’s house again. Surprised, an older member of the family said teasingly, “What! Going to play with him again? I thought you quarrelled only last evening and were never going to have anything more to do […]
Readings: Romans 13:8-14; Matthew 18:15-20 A couple was having a heated discussion about what to see and do after they arrived safely in Paris for their honeymoon. Trying to assert himself right off the bat, the husband exploded, “If it weren’t for my money, we wouldn’t be here at all!” The wife replied, “My dear, […]
Scripture: Exodus 3: 1-15; Matthew 16:21-28 Last week, we heard the story of the birth of Moses and how this Hebrew baby grew up to be a Prince in the court of the pharaoh of Egypt. Today, we have picked up the story years later when he was wandering in the wilderness, herding the flocks […]
Scripture: Matthew 15: 21-28; Romans 11:1-2A, 29-32 The gospel story that we just heard is one that I have puzzled over on many occasions. We see all kinds of surprises in this story. Some, which surprise us, would not even have raised an eyebrow for the disciples. Nor to the Jewish Christians to whom Matthew […]
Readings: Joshua 1:1-9; John 16:7-9 Theological reflection Joshua was the successor to Moses and his task was to lead the people into the Promised Land after their exile in Egypt. In the wilderness the people of God learned to trust in the One who saved them. Joshua reminded the Israelites the Lord would be with […]
Reading: Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52 An advisor to Pope Francis approached him with great excitement. “Your Holiness, I have some very good news and some very bad news”, he says. “My son, I’ve had a hard day. Please give me the good news first to cushion the bad news.” The Pontiff requests. “Your Holiness, I just […]
Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 A priest was preparing a dying man for his voyage into the great beyond. Whispering firmly, the priest said, “Denounce the devil! Let him know how little you think of his evil!” The dying man said nothing, so the priest repeated his order. Still the man was silent. Finally, as the dying […]
Readings: Genesis 25:19-34; Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 A New York City hipster moved to the country and bought a piece of land. He went to the local feed and livestock store and talked to the proprietor about how he was going to take up chicken farming. He then asked to buy 100 chicks. “That’s a lot […]
Scripture: Matthew 11:16-19,25-30 Are you tired? Are there any here today who have never been weary? Never had to carry a heavy heart burden? Okay, you’re free to go and grab a coffee. Come back when the hymn starts. Because today we’re going to talk about Jesus’ offer to the weary and heavy hearted. […]
Readings: Genesis 25:24-34; Luke 2:41-52 On this Sunday where we celebrate Indigenous peoples, I’d like to talk a little about what the ‘Trickster’ character found in many Indigenous cultures might have to say to us today. In much the same way that Indigenous people did not refer to themselves as Indians prior to Columbus, the […]