Palm Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 22:14 – 23:56

Jesus – the Mercy of God

Luke reports some unique details in his account of the Passion of Jesus:

1. “Jesus turned to” the women who mourned and lamented him, and spoke to them.

2. On the cross, Jesus said to the Father, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”

3. To the criminal who asked, “Jesus, remember me...,” Jesus replied, “Amen, I say to you, today, you will be with me in Paradise.”

4. After Jesus “breathed his last,” the people who “saw what had happened returned home beating their breasts.” 

With these details, Luke emphasizes the mercy of Jesus. With Jesus' death, repentance and forgiveness immediately began. The recipients of God's goodness included Herod and Pilate, who “became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly.”

Truly, Christ died for us and for our sins. He is the mercy of God. 

Palm Sunday - C (March 20, 2016)

Readings

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5th Sunday of Lent - C

Commentary

John 8: 1-11

“Go”

In the profession of Pope Francis, “Jesus Christ is the face of the Father's mercy.” [1]

The woman certainly encounters mercy in Jesus. She goes away forgiven. The gift of life is restored for her [2].

The scribes, Pharisees, and all the people in this Gospel passage also encounter Jesus. They all go away.

Do they allow God's mercy to touch them?

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[1] The Face of Mercy, #1.

[2] Francis J. Moloney, SDB. The Gospel of the Lord, Reflections on the Gospel Readings, Year C. Homebush, Australia: St. Paul Publications, 1991; p. 81.

5th Sunday of Lent - C (March 13, 2016)

Readings

Artist:  Michael T. Malm

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4th Sunday of Lent - C

Commentary

Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32

Who is God? Who are My Brothers and Sisters?

The older son sees himself as a slave. He does not address his father as “father.”

Understandably, he does not refer to the other son as his brother, but only as “your son” when he speaks to his father.

Interestingly, even the servant knows the truth. The servant, in speaking to the older son, speaks of “your father” and “your brother.”

And certainly, that is how the father sees the relationships in his family. He calls the older son “my son” and speaks about the younger son as “your brother.”

When I don't see myself as a child of God, I would not see others as my brothers and sisters.

With this parable, Jesus teaches us that not only does God love us, God's mercy is so great that to God, I am always “my child,” and others always “your brothers” and “your sisters.”

4th Sunday of Lent - C (March 6, 2016)

Readings

Image source: Charles Schulz, Classic Peanuts, 

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