Sunday Gospel Reflections

Father and Annie discuss what the promise given by God through Isaiah would mean to the people of the time as they witnessed the faithlessness of their leaders - and, in light of the Gospel and in the light of Pentecost - what it means to be 'good soil.'

Father and Annie discuss the similarities between the people receiving the prophecy of Zechariah and those hearing from Jesus in the Gospel. Jesus came to bring true peace and freedom, which we have by living according to the nature we receive at baptism.

Father and Annie, in light of all the readings this weekend, stress the importance of hospitality in the life of a Christian, who is baptized into Christ.  By loving one another, we 'worship' God who is present in our brothers and sisters.

Father and Annie discuss the readings in light of Pentecost a few weeks ago. God calls his people to speak the truth. Just as it happened to Jeremiah, Jesus says that we can expect persecution, but we should not be anxious.

Father and Annie discuss what it means for the Israelites to be a kingdom of priests, and what is the nature of true sacrifice - and how all of what God promises in this regard is fulfilled in Christ and his Church.

Father and Annie discuss why "Trinity Sunday" would be celebrated on the Octave of Pentecost. They unpack what it actually means to "see" God, and how we come to know - and how we are to radiate the glory of - the most Holy Trinity.

Father and Annie unpack what it means to be obedient to Jesus' commandments, and how the Last Supper discourse doesn't just prepare the Apostles for the crucifixion, but also prepares us liturgically for the Ascension and Pentecost.

Father and Annie discuss what "glory" means and how that applies to the life and death of our Lord, and our lives as Christians reborn in baptism. With this, they look at the early Church and the importance of living together and serving the community.

Father and Annie discuss the context from the Gospel of John and the book of Ezekiel, which are important for understanding what Jesus is saying in the Good Shepherd discourse in John 10 - and how that relates to the baptism Peter calls for at Pentecost.

Father and Annie discuss what's going on when Jesus appears to the disciples on the road to Emmaus and how important it is to know the scriptures to be able to entrust yourself in faith to the Lord.

Father and Annie unpack all the layers of what happened on Palm Sunday with Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem where he will - eventually - be enthroned on the cross.

Father and Annie head to Bethany for the raising of Lazarus and discuss how Jesus fulfills the prophecy of our first reading in Ezekiel - and how that made the Pharisees even more determined to kill him.  Holy Week and the Cross are now in full view.

Father and Annie discuss this weekend's Mass readings in light of the themes of anointing and illumination.  We learn why David is chosen to be anointed king, and how the healing of the blind man is an 'act of creation' on the part of Jesus.

Father and Annie study the typology of the Rock which Moses struck for the Israelites, and how St. Paul could say the Rock was Christ. They connect it to the Samaritan woman at the well, and her coming to understand the nature of the water Jesus offers.

Father and Anna discuss why we would be hearing readings about the calling of Abraham and the Transfiguration early on in the Lenten season. And they unpack how we must trust in the Lord and his grace to continue our journey to Jerusalem for the passion.

Father and Annie unpack what is going on in the Garden of Eden at the moment of the Fall, and it's importance in understanding our redemption. They discuss how Jesus' fasting in the desert actually "tempted the tempter" and brought man victory over Satan.

Father and Annie look at the readings for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time in light of the upcoming season of Lent, which begins in just a few days.  And they explore what it means - what it looks like - to have the Law of God written on our hearts.

Father and Annie unpack the Jubilee themes that run through the first reading in Isaiah 58, and discuss how those themes frame what it means to be 'salt of the earth' and the 'light of the world.'

Fr. Hezekias and Annie discuss what is the "remnant" prophesied by the prophet Zephaniah, and then head to the Mount of Beatitudes to learn what Jesus actually meant when he said "blessed."

Father and Annie head to Zebulun and Naphtali and discuss why the people there are in darkness - and explore why these territories are so significant in the mission of Jesus to establish his kingdom as he begins his public ministry and gathers apostles.

When Jesus entered the Jordan, he met us there. Fr. Hezekias and Annie explore how the baptism of the Lord reveals our own calling to die with Christ and rise as lights to a world in darkness.

King Ahaz refuses God's sign, but Isaiah prophesies anyway: a virgin shall conceive Emmanuel. Fr. Hezekias and Annie explore Joseph as David's rightful heir, why God speaks in dreams, and how the Incarnation extends to us—we become the presence of Christ.

Isaiah prophesied the blind would see and lame would walk. John the Baptist asks from prison: Are you the one? Fr. Hezekias and Annie unpack Jesus' answer, navigate the Herod family, and explain why Advent calls us to patience, fasting, not feasting.

Fr. Hezekias and Annie explore Isaiah's shoot from Jesse's stump, why John the Baptist dressed like Elijah, and the true meaning of Advent: not party time, but a season of repentance, fasting, and preparation to become living temples of God's presence.

Fr. Hezekias and Annie unpack the First Sunday of Advent: Isaiah's prophecy of swords to plowshares, Jesus' urgent call to stay awake, and what it really means to be "left behind." Wake up & prepare for Christ's coming through prayer, fasting, & charity.