The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

August 28th, 2022 – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 14:1,7-14

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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There seems to be a kind of immoral virus in some people that causes them to think that they are inherently better than others. Or that they deserve greater respect or be treated better than others. In today’s gospel, Jesus describes them as wanting to sit at the higher places at the banquet table. In a sense, they are self-promoters. They might be said to have a superiority complex.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

August 21st, 2022 – Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 13:22-30

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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I am the product of Catholic education. What I valued most about that in my early years was that I received a set of directions on how to live now so that I would eventually end up in heaven after I died. Gaining entrance to the final Kingdom of God was up to me. In early adulthood, I entered vowed religious life and one of the first things I learned was this: “If you keep the rule, the rule will keep you.” Again, it was all up to me. And all along the way, I kept a kind of scorecard on how I was doing. I did not want to fail in the life I was given.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

August 14th, 2022 – Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 12:49-53

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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My initial reaction to reading today’s gospel was not a positive one. It is mid-summer and there are wildfires raging in many places, especially in the West where I live. I can see and smell smoke in the air. And there are warnings that more danger may be ahead.

Then I read in Luke’s gospel for the day that Jesus has come to set fire on the earth. Not where I live, I thought. Still, I must ask how can I harvest some wisdom from the words of the Master?

Readers of my gospel reflections might know that I have great interest in the history of the cosmos, especially our home planet Earth. These days I visit the James Webb Space Telescope website for the latest findings of this astounding scientific instrument.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home 

August 7^th, 2022 – Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 12:32-48

 REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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 Almost every daily newscast will have some mention of what is called “the economy.” Reports often include such matters as the daily results of the Wall Street Market, employment figures, cost of living estimates and more recently, “the price at the pump.” These reports of dollars and cents, goods and services can stimulate some to make a personal assessment of their personal worth through consulting their bank account balance, their savings and investments and let’s not forget their debts. All these calculations may result in something called “net worth.” In in other words, their “treasure.”

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

July 31st, 2022 – Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 12:13-21

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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There are some who say the gospels are mostly about spiritual matters like personal salvation, forgiveness of sins and the state of our souls. They are correct in claiming that the gospels (and the message of Jesus) is about those matters, but much more, too.

Take today’s gospel from Luke. It deals with family financial matters. Even in the time of Jesus, people were concerned about matters of personal wealth, and in this situation, family inheritance. It seems there were two sons who were disputing the distribution of the recently departed father’s estate. Religious figures, like Jesus, were occasionally brought in to settle disputes. Even among family members. One brother felt he did not receive his proper allotment.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

July 24^th, 2022 – Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 11:1-13

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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Much of what we say to others is determined by how we view and judge them. If we are talking with a friend whom we have known and liked for many years, the words we share flow easily. If we are talking with someone we hardly know, we are likely to carefully measure our words.

Thus, when the disciples asked Jesus for a suggestion on how to pray to God, Jesus began by reminding them of God’s goodness and generosity. He wanted them to have the right idea of God and their relationship to God.  And that would influence how they should address God in prayer. They knew it was a good idea to ask Jesus about this matter because they saw him as being very close to God. Even familiar. They had seen him pray and they were impressed.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

July 17^th, 2022 – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 10:38-42

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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One of my students when I directed a graduate program in lay ministry in Colorado was a woman who was part of the first class of undergraduate women students at the University of Notre Dame. Previously, the school only admitted males to undergraduate studies. She told me that there was only a small group of women. And while they experienced general acceptance, she told me it was still quite challenging as they entered an all-male academic setting.

I thought of her when I read today’s gospel that features close friends of Jesus, namely Mary and Martha. Most are familiar with this account, especially since it is readily understood, especially by most women. One sister, Martha, works hard to fulfil traditional duties of women -- both then and now. And while Martha responsibly toils in serving the needs of others, including Jesus, Mary relaxes next to Jesus, listening as he shares his wisdom. As the gospel describes the scene, Mary sits in the typical position of a student at that time, at the feet of the teacher.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

July 10^h, 2022 – Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 10:25-37

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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Certainly, one of the most recognized figures in the gospels is one who has no name. Still, we easily bring him to mind when we simply say, “The Good …  .” We fill in the blank. The Good Samaritan.

Jesus used an account of what this nameless Samaritan did as an example of someone who truly loved his neighbor.  Every time I think of the challenge implied in the story, I become a little uneasy because the good Samaritan was exceedingly good! I ask myself, “Would I do something like what he did?” I also recall the many good Samaritans who have helped me during my own life. There are many.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

July 3^rd, 2022– Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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 Imagine the surprise of Jesus’s disciples when, after having followed him for weeks, or even months, after listening to his inspired words and even having witnessed a few miracles. Then they were told, “Okay, it’s now your turn. Continue what I have begun. Go out on the highways and byways. Spread the word.”

Then he gave them a few tips. Just stop and describe what I have said and done with whoever you meet along your way. Share my message of the Good News and welcome their reply. If they accept what you communicate to them, stick around and take time to get to know each other. If they object to what you are telling them, bid them adieu and continue on your way. The important thing is that you are sharing yourself and your time with them concerning something that is important to you.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

June 26, 2022 – Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 9:51-62

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
Download this simple process to Prepare for Sunday using the Observe, Judge, Act Method.

We all live in a world where the passage of time and the movement of our lives is often on our minds. Jesus spent most of his life in one place, the small village of Nazareth. But then he went on the move. In today’s gospel he is departing his hometown to the main city of his time, Jerusalem. He set aside his carpenter’s tools and began his public life as a traveling rabbi. He eventually believed that it would be in Jerusalem that the main events of his life would happen. So, he left his familiar surroundings to fulfil what he believed to be his calling from God.

We often think of our lives as a journey from one place to another. Sometimes the places are geographical. They can be marked on a map. Sometimes our journey in life takes us through events that are more personal, like entering certain career, beginning a marriage or having children. Some interpret a spiritual or religious meaning to their decisions in life. Like Jesus, they felt that they are called to a certain way of life. In Catholic circles this was sometimes called “a vocation.”