The Better Part

Matthew 26:17-20, 26-30 (full reading: Matthew 26.14 - 27.66 ) (Adults, the VERY abbreviated reading is for the 3-6 year old. The full reading is for your reference only.) Listen to the Gospel and Reflection This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. It is the most holy week of the church year. The Church takes a whole week to think in a particular way about the events of Jesus' dying and rising to new life. Some people—adults, mostly —like to look at one event at a time

Matthew 26:17-35 (full reading: Matthew 26.14 - 27.66 ) (Adults, begin by reading aloud the portion of the Gospel provided here, unless the child is a very fluent reader.) Listen to the Gospel and Reflection This Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week when, all over the world, the Church thinks deeply about the events of Jesus' dying and rising to new life. This Sunday we hear two Gospel readings: Jesus entering Jerusalem while the crowds wave palm branches, and St. Matthew'

Matthew 27:24-54 (full reading: Matthew 26.14 - 27.66 ) (Begin by reading the portion of the Gospel provided. Sometimes it is good to have someone read it to you. The Word is meant to be heard.) Listen to the Gospel and Reflection This Sunday as Holy Week begins, the Church gives us two Gospel readings to consider: Jesus entering Jerusalem while the crowds wave palm branches, and St. Matthew's whole account of Jesus' Passion from the Last Supper to his death. We get a pictur

John 11.3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45 (full reading: John 11.1-45 ) Listen to the Gospel and Reflection In the Gospel for this Sunday, the fifth Sunday of Lent, we hear about a family whom Jesus loves. There are two sisters—Martha and Mary—and a brother named Lazarus. At the beginning of the reading, Jesus learns that Lazarus has become very sick. The sisters of Lazarus sent a message to Jesus, “Lord, he whom you love is ill.” When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already

John 11.3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45 (full reading: John 11.1-45 ) Listen to the Gospel and Reflection In the Gospel for this Sunday, the fifth Sunday of Lent, we hear about a miraculous thing that Jesus does. He has a family of close friends, two sisters and a brother—Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. Lazarus becomes very ill, and before Jesus arrives at their house, he dies. We hear that, Jesus began to weep. Of course Jesus cries. He grieves. He is full of sorrow because he loves Laza

John 11.3-7, 17, 20-27, 33b-45 (full reading: John 11.1-45 ) Listen to the Gospel and Reflection In the Gospel for this Sunday, the fifth Sunday of Lent, Jesus does the most miraculous—he raises Lazarus from the dead. We know that miracles are signs of what the Kingdom of God is like. In this Gospel passage, Jesus shows us stunningly that our God is the God of Life . We could, we should, we need to rest in that knowledge for a few moments every day! Our God is the God of Li

John 9.1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 (full reading: John 9.1-41 ) Listen to the Gospel and Reflection   We know things about Jesus. We know that he is the Light of the World. He says, I am the Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5) We know that he is the Good Shepherd. He says, I am the Good Shepherd (John 10:11) We know these things because Jesus says so. But we also know these things because of what Jesus does . Jesus does so. In the Gospel reading for this Sunday, the fourth Sunda

John 9.1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 (full reading: John 9.1-41 ) Listen to the Gospel and Reflection   In the Gospel reading for this Sunday, Jesus gives sight to a man who has never been able to see. He heals him. This is a miracle and it is marvellous, and it is one of many examples of Jesus healing people. Healing and faith go hand in hand. There seems to be a certain order to faith and healing. Look at these three other accounts of healing and faith: 1. Jesus turned, and seei

John 9.1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38 (full reading: John 9.1-41 ) Listen to the Gospel and Reflection   In the Gospel reading for this Sunday, Jesus performs a miracle. We know that miracles reveal to us something of the Plan of God. They are signs of what the Kingdom of God is like. In fact, in the Gospel for the fourth Sunday of Lent, Jesus seems determined to give the disciples a sign. When he sees a man who has never been able to see, he says, he was born blind so that God’s wo