The Better Part

John 1:29-34   Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n Once again, this Sunday, we hear about John the Baptist. We might remember that John the Baptist is a cousin to Jesus. Jesus' mother, Mary, and John the Baptist's mother, Elizabeth, are cousins (Luke 1:36). That means their children are cousins, too. In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus and John the Baptist are both grown-up men. Jesus comes to John to get baptized. The next day, when John the Baptist sees Jesus again,

Matthew 3.13-17 Click here to listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n This Sunday is the last of the three Sundays celebrating the feast of Christmas—the feast of Jesus, the Great Light, coming into the world. In the Gospel readings for the first two Sundays of Christmas, Jesus is just a baby, but in the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus is a grown-up man. He comes to get baptized in the river Jordan. Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. Wh

Matthew 3.13-17 Click here to listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n At the close of the Christmas season, we leave the secret years of Jesus' childhood behind and join the grown-up Jesus in the waters of the Jordan river. The feast of Christmas that celebrates God becoming human like us comes to an end with a particular look at Jesus' baptism. We have to ask ourselves, why does Jesus need to get baptized? John the Baptist sees a problem with this. Surely Jesus does not h

Luke 23.35-43 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n This Sunday is the last Sunday of the Church year. The year ends with a feast—Christ the King. The Gospel reading for this Sunday takes us to the moment of the crucifixion. It seems a little strange that the celebration of Christ the King should include scripture about Jesus dying on the cross. Would it not make more sense to celebrate the Resurrection? Why proclaim his death? And the people stood by, watching; but the l

Luke 17.5-10 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n In the Gospel for this Sunday, the apostles want something that only God can give....

Luke 16.19-31 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n (Adults, the parable in this Sunday's Gospel presents us with two very different...

John 3.1 3-17   Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n This Sunday we celebrate the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. To...

Luke 12:49-53 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n (Adults, this reflection considers simply the first verse of the Gospel reading,...

Luke 12:49-53 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n (Adults, this reflection considers simply the first two verses of the Gospel...

Luke 12:49-53 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n Usually, we think about Jesus being calm and in control. He is the man of peace,...

Luke 10.38-42   Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n (I consider this Sunday the feast day of this website. When you read the...

Luke 10.1-12, 17-20 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n In the Gospel this week, Jesus and his disciples journey towards...

Matthew 16.13- 19 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n Jesus and the disciples travel together for a long time. They spend so much...

Luke 24.44-53   Listen to the Gospel and Reflection This Sunday is the seventh Sunday of the Easter season. For seven weeks, we celebrate...

Luke 24.44-53   Listen to the Gospel and Reflection This Sunday we celebrate the last Sunday of the Easter season. For forty days...

Luke 24.44-53   Listen to the Gospel and Reflection Soon we will reach the end of the forty-nine days of the Easter season and soon we...

John 13.1,31-33a, 34-35   Listen to the Gospel and Reflection This Sunday, we celebrate the fifth Sunday of Easter. In this time of...

Luke 9.28b-36   Click here to listen to the Gospel and Reflection In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus needs time to pray. He wants to...

Luke 9.28b-36   Click here to listen to the Gospel and Reflection Many times in St. Luke's Gospel, we hear about Jesus praying. In the...

Luke 3.15-16, 21-22   Click here to listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n At the close of the Christmas season, we leave the secret...