The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

March 27th, 2022 – Fourth Sunday of Lent - Luke 15:1-3,11-32

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

Todays’ gospel offers one of the most well-known of the parables of Jesus. With the mere mention of its beginning, many will know what follows in this narrative. The line I’m thinking of begins, “A man had two sons.” Ah yes, we are going to hear once again about the prodigal son.

That’s the son who asked for his inheritance even before his father died (a bad move already) and then later wasted or squandered his “inheritance” on a life of dissipation. (Some translations say, “dissolute living.” or “a life of debauchery.” We are left to wonder exactly what he did while in that far off country. But, of course, that’s not the end of the story. Real surprises follow.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

March 20^th, 2022 - Third Sunday of Lent - John 4:5-42

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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I am fascinated by trees. There’s hardly a tree anywhere that I don’t notice. And long ago I learned that trees are very important for the survival of life. In part, it has something to do with the air we breathe. They are also one of nature’s best signs of a healthy environment. I live in a part of the world where forest fires are common. Burning forests sadden me. I know they can sometimes be helpful for the survival of a species. But still …

Today’s gospel recalls how Jesus used a certain fig tree as a teaching device. Jesus was a great teacher and he liked to use common examples to illustrate his deeper messages. Also, most of his listeners knew about fig trees.  

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

March 13^th, 2022 – Second Sunday of Lent - Luke 9:28-36

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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Today’s gospel is familiar to most of us. It’s commonly referred to as “the Transfiguration.” My guess is that the disciples of Jesus who witnessed it would never forget that experience. It was not in any way an ordinary event as it’s described in Luke’s Gospel. Not only was Jesus “transfigured” before their very eyes atop the mountain, but there stood beside him two of the greatest historical figures of Jewish history, Moses and Elijah. It’s not surprising that Peter, James and John wanted this event to continue indefinitely. They suggested that tents be built to allow for a more lasting event.

But that was not to be. In fact, we might add that Jesus did not want this transfigured moment to continue because that’s not the way life is. Yes, there are good times. But there are also difficult and challenging times. History, both global and personal, witnesses to the mix of both. Their mountaintop experience was good, and should not be forgotten, but they had to descend to the reality of life’s everyday challenges. That is also part of life.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home 

March 6^th, 2022 – First Sunday of Lent - Luke 4:1-13

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

We are now moving into a very special season of the year for Christians. It’s called Lent, an old word meaning “springtime.” In general, it is a season reminding us that the world of nature has a pattern which includes a time for life to be renewed. Or to start anew.

For Jesus this was a time of self-reflection that came right after his baptism by John. Jesus decided that the best setting for him to examine the direction of his own life would be to go by himself into the desert. He would set aside his usual activities and prepare himself for the challenges ahead. It was to be a time of honest assessment – something we all need from time to time.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

February 27th, 2022 – Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 6:39-45

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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I cannot imagine what it would be like to have a large piece of wood stuck in one’s eye. But Jesus could (remember he was once a carpenter) and he used this image to remind us that the first responsibility we have in matters of spirituality and religion is to first, take care of our own lives first. Not others. He knew that sometimes religious people can become quite judgmental, focusing on and judging those around them rather than themselves.

In that sense, it is not inappropriate to place oneself first when it comes to life with God. That’s what it means to be responsible before God. Examine your own life, your thoughts and values, your judgments and your actions. Don’t worry about others. Let them deal with their own lives. In other words, judge yourself first and don’t judge others.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

February 20th, 2022, Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 6:27-38

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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I’m no economist, but I do know what a balanced sheet is. Basically, it is an accounting way that is based on principles of justice, fairness and equality. They help one spend only as much as one can afford. They encourage paying bills in time. And if possible, save a little for the inevitable rainy day. This approach is not only sound economics, but it’s also a good and virtuous way to live.

So let’s ask whether Jesus would support this approach to life, i. e., one based on financial justice. In reading today’s gospel, it seems he would not. He calls us to do more than simple justice would require. He wants of us boundless generosity and a kind of love for others that some might judge foolish, excessive, even unrealistic.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

February 13th, 2022 – Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 6:17, 20-26

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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My friendly pastor had a smile on his face when I entered his office. Ever curious about why people smile, I had to inquire as to the source of his delight. He said he had just been visited by a sign salesman. I asked him, “What kind of signs?” He replied, “Church signs. You know, the ones you see with the ten commandments on them.”

I then asked if he brought one. He said that he didn’t, but he was still interested. He had asked the sign salesman if he had one with the eight beatitudes. He’d be interested in that. No, the man replied. No one is really interested in them. Too negative.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home 

February 6^th, 2022 – Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 2:1-11

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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I recently heard a politician expound on a new insight of his. Roughly, he announced that everything is related to everything else. Not to dismiss the importance of his idea, but scientists have been saying this for years, especially after Albert Einstein formulated his theory of relativity. And even further back, St. Paul wrote that we are all relational beings. He taught that we all are connected in Christ’s body, the Church. That body, to expand on this view, has many parts, each with a purpose in God’s plan.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

January 30th, 2022, Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 4:21-30

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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For a long time, I found today’s gospel account a bit strange. Until I experienced something like Jesus did in my own life. It related to my professional career as a university professor.

First, let’s focus on the experience of Jesus, which happened early in his public life. The gospels mostly agree on the fact that he started preaching and doing works of wonder in Capernaum, a town about twenty miles from his hometown of Nazareth. When he finally visited his hometown, initially he was welcomed and received fitting respect. He had lived there at least thirty years. Everyone knew him. They knew his family. His relatives and friends.

The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

January 23rd, 2022 – Third Sunday in Ordinary Time - Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-24

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

We are reminded right at the beginning of Luke’s Gospel that he is writing this gospel to give an accurate historical account of the words, the deeds and the life of Jesus Christ. And how blessed are we and how grateful we should be that he has done so. Along with the other gospel writers. How many of us have based our lives on what’s written in the four gospels? As a Catholic and Christian, and as a professional theologian, professor and author, I cannot even imagine my life without the gospels. So, I begin this reflection by thanking Luke, Mark, Matthew and John (and whoever assisted them) for their efforts in creating the gospels.