In today’s Gospel – John 11:1-45 – we hear the account of the raising of Lazarus. That very title – “the raising of Lazarus” – blurs the fact that it is a detailed and complicated telling of much more than that. For instance, it could also be called, “the believing Martha”.
Gospel Notes by Michael Whelan SM As Jesus walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in …
In today’s Gospel – John 4:5-42 – Jesus encounters a woman at a well in Samaria. It is a most complex and mysterious event. It is also very revealing.
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We “believe in (him)”, not only as “the way”, but as “the truth” that “will make (us) free” – John 8:32. Our way and our truth are not found in our cultural, historical and religious realities. These can, in fact, imprison us. In the encounter with Jesus, the ties that imprison the Samaritan woman are loosed. This is a model for us.
In today’s Gospel – Matthew 4:1-11 – we have an account of Jesus’ testing in the wilderness. The text is often referred to as the “temptation of Jesus”. This tends to place the focus on the one who tempts Jesus rather than the One who led him into the desert. The biblical scholar, Daniel Harrington SJ, writes: “A better title, one more appropriate to the biblical basis of the narrative in the Book of Deuteronomy, is the ‘Testing of God’s Son’.
In today’s Gospel – Matthew 4:1-11 – we have an account of Jesus’ testing in the wilderness. The text is often referred to as the “temptation of Jesus”. This tends to place the focus on the one who tempts Jesus rather than the One who led him into the desert. The biblical scholar, Daniel Harrington SJ, writes: “A better title, one more appropriate to the biblical basis of the narrative in the Book of Deuteronomy, is the ‘Testing of God’s Son’.
In today’s Gospel – Matthew 5:38-48 – we continue the Sermon on the Mount. These are hard sayings: “Do not resist an evildoer … turn the other cheek … give to everyone who begs from you … love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”. How are we to read these statements?
In today’s Gospel – Matthew 5:13-17 – we continue with the Sermon on the Mount: “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world”. In effect, Jesus is saying: “This is who and what you are – be who and what you are!” This profound truth needs to be freed from some misrepresentations.
In today’s Gospel – Matthew 5:13-17 – we continue with the Sermon on the Mount: “You are the salt of the earth … You are the light of the world”. In effect, Jesus is saying: “This is who and what you are – be who and what you are!” This profound truth needs to be freed from some misrepresentations.
Gospel Notes by Michael Whelan SM
Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?” Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests have handed you over to me. What have you done?” Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my followers would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice” (John 18:33-37 – NRSV).
Gospel Notes by Michael Whelan SM
“But in those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
“Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.”