Gospel Reflection

“The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up” The Cross Reveals the Heart of God There are few words in the Gospel more familiar than these: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son.” We may have heard them many times, yet we should never allow their familiarity to lessen their … Read more

“Not Seven Times, but Seventy Times Seven” Peter approaches Jesus with a question that touches one of the most difficult parts of Christian life: How many times must I forgive someone who keeps hurting me? Peter even proposes what must have seemed remarkably generous: seven times. Yet Jesus answers, “I do not say to you … Read more

“Why Do You Call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and Not Do What I Tell You?” There is a seriousness in the words of Jesus today that should make every Christian examine the foundations of his or her life. Christ asks, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” It is … Read more

“Can a Blind Man Lead a Blind Man?” There is something deeply unsettling about the question Jesus asks in today’s Gospel: “Can a blind man lead a blind man?” It is easy to hear these words and immediately think of someone else, someone whose choices seem misguided, whose faults appear obvious, or whose life we … Read more

“Be Merciful, Even as Your Father Is Merciful” There are words of Jesus that console us immediately, and there are words that disturb the comfortable places of the heart. Today’s Gospel belongs to the second kind. Christ does not simply ask us to be kind to those who are kind to us. He goes much … Read more