Gospel Reflection

“You are sons of those who murdered the prophets.” There are words of Jesus that comfort us immediately, and there are words that first wound the conscience before they heal it. Christ speaks with extraordinary severity to the scribes and Pharisees: “You are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within they are full … Read more

“These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others.” There are moments in the Gospel when the words of Jesus console the wounded heart. There are other moments when His words disturb us, challenge us and refuse to allow us to remain comfortable with the way we are living. Today’s Gospel belongs to the … Read more

“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” There are moments in the Gospel when a person comes before Christ carrying questions, doubts and even prejudices, only to discover that Christ already knows the deepest truth of his heart. The meeting between Jesus and Nathanael is one of those moments. Philip comes to Nathanael … Read more

“You are Peter. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” There are moments in every person’s life when the Lord asks a question that cannot be answered by repeating what others have said. It is a question that reaches beyond the mind and into the heart. In today’s Gospel, Jesus first … Read more

“They preach, but do not practice.” There are words of Jesus that console us, words that heal us, and words that disturb us because they reach into places in the heart we would rather leave untouched. Today’s Gospel belongs to that last category. Jesus speaks with unusual force about the scribes and the Pharisees: “They preach, … Read more