29th Sunday - C (October 15, 2022)

 

Not the Judge’s Way, but God’s Way

Luke 18: 1-8

 

In most of Jesus’ parables, one of the characters would reflect some aspects of God’s goodness.

 

In today’s parable, however, the judge “who neither feared God nor respected any human being” would have to be seen as the opposite of God. 

 

Consequently, Jesus urges us to avoid the attitude and behaviors of the judge.  St. Paul illustrated the way of Jesus when he exhorted Timothy, “Remain faithful to what you have learned and believed, because you know from whom you learned it, and that from infancy you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are capable of giving you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”  (Second Reading, 2 Timothy 3: 14-15)

 

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28th Sunday - C (October 9, 2022)

 

Big Moments

Luke 11:11-19

Last Sunday Jesus taught us to be grateful to God for the ordinary and daily moments of life.

 

Today, the gratitude of the Samaritan leper reminds us to be grateful to God for the special or big moments that God at times bestows on us.

 

Has there been such a moment in my life?

 

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27th Sunday - C (October 2, 2022)

 

Gratefulness

Luke 17: 5-10

 

Beginning with our life breath, everything we have and are come from God, as God’s gifts of love to us.   

 

Therefore, we should never think that by doing good, we can earn God’s love, or that God owes us some rewards.  Nor should we think that by living a moral life and practicing charity, we earn our way to heaven. 

 

The right attitude is that we should strive to live according to God’s law of love as our expression of gratitude to God.  And in so doing, we become witnesses and instruments of God’s love in the world.  

 

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26th Sunday - C (September 25, 2022)

 

Do I Raise My Eyes and See?

Luke 16: 19-31

 

In this parable, the first time Jesus describes the rich man “raised his eyes and saw” is after he has already died.  Now he sees Lazarus, whom he recognizes and knows by name, “at Abraham’s side.” 

 

Prior to this, there was no indication of the rich man ever “raised his eyes and saw” Lazarus suffering “at his door.”  Was it because he was so caught up with his “purple garments and his daily sumptuous dinners”?

 

We can all be caught up with our own lives and fail to raise our eyes and see our brothers and sisters around us, particularly those who are suffering.

 

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25th Sunday - C (September 18, 2022)

 

Children of Light

Luke 16: 1-13

 

In this Gospel passage, Jesus uses the expression, “children of light.”  That’s us.  We have been entrusted with the greatest treasure – the light of God. 

 

Moreover, the light of God is not just some quality of God.  Jesus said, ““I am the light of the world” (John 8: 12).  St. John testifies, “God is light” (1 John 1: 5).

 

Consequently, we have been entrusted with the treasure of God’s very self.  We are privileged to be God-bearers.  We are called to bring God to the world. 

 

Through the Prophet Isaiah, God said to Israel the words later applied to Jesus.   Now God says to each of us, “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). 

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24th Sunday - C (September 11, 2022)

 

Drawing Near to Jesus

Luke 15: 1-32

 

Jesus’s reputation, his words, actions, attitude all proclaim the mercy of God.  Moreover, he brings God’s mercy to humanity.  Consequently, “Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus.” 

 

Not only do tax collectors and sinners receive God’s mercy in Jesus, they feel drawn to Jesus, the incarnation of God’s mercy.  God’s mercy is consoling and attractive to sinners. 

 

St. Luke then continues, “But the Pharisees and scribes began to complain.” 

 

Luke Chapter 15 recalls Jesus’ three parables on God’s mercy.  However, this one introductory sentence is probably already inviting us to examine our own attitude toward God’s mercy.  Also, does it challenge me to ask if I put limits to God’s mercy on me and on those I might consider sinners?

 

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23rd Sunday - C (September 4, 2022)

 

Possessions

Luke 14: 25-33

 

Things that we have, wealth, money, expensive “stuff” can take possession of our hearts and minds. 

 

So do people, hobbies, interests, desires, ambition, just like addictions, can also take possession of our hearts and minds. 

 

Jesus invites us let God, and only God, take possession of our hearts and minds.  

 

 

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