13th Sunday - C

Commentary
Luke 9: 51 - 62

"First, Let Me"

Jesus is not unreasonable. Nor is he telling people not to honor their parents or their commitments or responsibilities.

In fact, he upholds honoring one's parents as God commands it. When asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?,” he responds, "You know the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother.’” (Luke 18: 18, 20)

In this passage, Luke points out the contrast between the attitude of Jesus and that of the two who cannot follow him.

The passage begins, "When the days for Jesus' being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem." Now is the time appointed by God for him to offer his life for allof all humanity. He knows what awaits him in Jerusalem. More importantly, he knows what God plans for him and all of God's children. So, he resolutely determines to go and carry out that plan. He puts God first.

In contrast, the two people who cannot follow him puts themselves first. One says, "Let me go first..." And the other says similarly, "First, let me..." They put themselves and their plans first, not God or God's plan.

Jesus puts God first and determines to carry out God's plan. It is his response of love.

He, who died for his beloved now tells us, "You, go and proclaim the kingdom of God."

Let us ask God, "Lord, let me put you first. Let me put my brothers and sisters first. In so doing, may I proclaim your Kingdom of love and mercy."

13th Sunday - C (June 26, 2016)

Readings

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12th Sunday - C

Commentary

Luke 9: 18-24

The Christ of God

The disciples see Jesus at prayer.

And when Jesus asks for their opinion of who he is, Peter says, “The Christ of God.”

Peter and the other disciples recognize Jesus' identity through his communication with God.

At this point in their following of Jesus, they do not fully know what that means. They are not ready for the cross.

Yet, they know Jesus is the Christ of God.

So it is with me. I can only become my true self when I am in touch with God, my heavenly Father.

Happy Father's Day to all fathers.  Thank you for leading us to God, the heavenly Father.

12th Sunday, C (June 19, 2016)

Readings

11th Sunday - C

Commentary 

Luke  7:36 - 8:3

Prophet - One Who Tells Fortunes

But Whose Fortunes?

A prophet is commonly, and even incorrectly, described as one who can predict the future, or one who tells fortunes. 

Simon the Pharisee in this Gospel passage expects a prophet to know the inner secrets and even the hearts of people.  But Simon only sees negative things.  So, he quickly dismisses any possibility of Jesus being a prophet when Jesus does not meet his pessimistic expectations.  

Jesus, the true Prophet, tells a different kind of fortunes.  He knows God's graciousness and love for God's children. Consequently, Jesus recognizes God's forgiveness at work. He recognizes the woman's great love in her action and courage as her response to God's forgiveness. 

Jesus the Prophet tells God's fortunes. 

11th Sunday - C (June 12, 2016)

Readings

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10th Sunday - C

Commentary
Luke 7: 11-17

God has Visited His People

Witnessing the miracle of Jesus raising the dead man back to life, people exclaim, “God has visited his people.”

This is the promise God made to their ancestors. And at the beginning of his account of Jesus’ life, Luke has announced the time of God’s fulfilling this promise (in the prayer of Zechariah, Luke 1: 68).

Yet, in Jesus, we witness not just the miraculous power of God. In Jesus, we come to know and live in God’s mercy.

“Unlike most miracle story, here Jesus himself takes the initiative. There is no request made to him to intervene.” [1] It was Jesus, who seeing the grieving mother, “was moved with pity for her.” We know the rest of the story.

Jesus notices a marginalized person – a widow whose only son has died. He speaks to her. And he helps her.

As he is helping the grieving mother, Jesus even makes himself ritually impure when he touches the coffin. That for sure is no concern for him.

He did all of these because his heart is moved with pity for the suffering widow. His concern is for her.

Jesus is the incarnation of mercy. In him, God, who is mercy, [2] has visited his people.

Each moment of our life is a moment immersed in God’s mercy because Jesus is with us.

And when we show mercy to others, we proclaim to them that God, in His mercy, has visited His people.


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[1] Francis J. Moloney, SDB., The Gospel of The Lord – Reflections on the Gospel Readings, Year C. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1991; p. 134.

[2] Pope Francis.

10th Sunday - C (June 5, 2016)

Readings

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