Reflections on the lectionary readings for Sunday Mass
Today, a Pharisee tries to test Jesus. Even though he was a legal scholar, his question reveals a stunning ignorance. How? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 22:34-40) Jesus stirred up animosity against Himself among religious leaders by teaching several pointed parables about the kingdom of Heaven. In our reading today, a Pharisee, “a scholar […]
Read more "Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A–October 29, 2017"Jesus’ enemies try to set a trap for Him. A coin buys Him freedom from it. By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 22:15-21) For the last several weeks, our Gospel readings have shown us that Jesus used parables to help the religious elites of Jerusalem hear a call to believe in Him as their Messiah. […]
Read more "Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A–October 22, 2017"In a parable, Jesus describes a great wedding feast. Those who get invitations would be wise to ask: “What should I wear?” By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 22:1-14) In the last of three parables in this portion of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus continues to describe the kingdom of God for “the chief priests and elders.” […]
Read more "Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A—October 15, 2017"In speaking to the religious leaders in Jerusalem, Jesus tells the whole story of salvation in one parable. Did they recognize themselves in the story? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 21:33-43) In this portion of the Gospel, Jesus has been speaking directly to “the chief priests and elders of the people” because they had […]
Read more "Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A—October 8, 2017"Today, Jesus shocks the Jewish chief priests by telling them something about themselves that no one else would have dared to say. What was it? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 21:28-32) Our reading is in a portion of St. Matthew’s Gospel that reports on the tangles Jesus had with the religious leaders of Jerusalem. […]
Read more "Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A—October 1, 2017"Jesus tells a parable that poses an interesting question: Would we ever grumble about God’s generosity? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 20:1-16a) In the verses preceding today’s Gospel, Jesus told the disciples “it will be hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven” (Mt 19:23). A “rich young man” had just […]
Read more "Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A—September 24, 2017"Today, Peter asks Jesus how many times he has to forgive a brother who sins against him. Jesus tells him to forget the math. Why? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 18:21-35) In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus instructed the apostles on how to handle problems that would arise in His Church when brother sinned against […]
Read more "Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A—September 17, 2017"Previously in this Gospel, Jesus has spoken about authority in His Church. Today, He shows us how it works. By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 18:15-20) Today, Jesus teaches His disciples about life in the Church He intends to build. Earlier (Mt 16), He established Peter as its head, giving him the “keys” to the […]
Read more "Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A—September 10, 2017"In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus called Peter “the rock.” Today, He calls him “Satan.” What happened? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 16:21-27) In the verses preceding today’s passage, Jesus and Peter had a remarkable exchange. Peter identified Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God; Jesus announced that God had revealed this truth to […]
Read more "Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A—September 3, 2017"In a conversation with Peter and the apostles, Jesus declares His intention to build His Church on a human being. Whatever was He thinking? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 16:13-20) Today’s Gospel is so familiar to Catholics that the potential for missing the punch it packs is inordinately high. If ever we are challenged […]
Read more "Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A—August 27, 2017"