As I reflected on the Lord’s Prayer at the beginning of Chapter 11 of the Gospel of Luke, I noticed the difference compared to the Our Father that we typically pray. It is worded slightly different and a touch shorter than the one that appears in Matthew 6. A Different Lord’s Prayer A few years ago, I wrote about how The Lord’s Prayer Hinges on Forgiveness: the Fulcrum of Faith. The point of the article is to explore how important... Read more
Week 2 of Advent is underway. Traditionally, this week carries a theme of peace. It is a time to reflect on the peace that Christ promises at his coming. That is also our theme for our reading of Luke Chapter 10. Peace in Luke Chapter 10 Peace in Mission “And he said to them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few… go your way; behold I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no... Read more
Happy Feast of the Immaculate Conception! Today we read the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 9 which teaches us against pride. This chapter shows us again and again, that we will never know everything about anything in this life. There is always more angles, ways to look at something, or details to learn. I think that is true with today’s feast as well. The Immaculate Conception While the sinless conception of Mary within St. Anne was always true, it needed more... Read more
Yesterday, in chapter 7, we looked at the humble faith of both a centurion and a sinful woman. Today we read chapter 8 of Luke’s Gospel and see the importance of having a heart of faith. Parables, for those with a Heart of Faith “he said, ‘To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God; but for others they are in parables, so that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not... Read more
Yesterday, we covered the beatitudes as a reminder to practice humility, live for others, and to hope for the future. Today we see those virtues lived out with the Centurion and a sinful widow’s Faith. Between those two sections Jesus sends word to John the Baptist about what is happening. Confirmation of What to Hope For “‘Go and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind regain their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,... Read more
Advent is a time of hope, and the Beatitudes in chapter 6 of Luke’s Gospel reminds us of what we can hope for. “‘Blessed are you poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. ‘Blessed are you that hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. ‘Blessed are you that weep now, for you shall laugh. ‘Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of... Read more
As we get further into the Gospel of Luke, away from the nativity and scenes of John the Baptist, I expected it to be harder to find themes for Advent. Reading Chapter 5 of Luke, I was surprised to find all of the themes from the last four days present. Peter’s Obedience, Humility, and Conversion “And when he had ceased speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ And Simon answered,... Read more
In some ways, Advent is similar to Lent. Priests are wearing purple, we are anticipating a big feast, but holding out for some weeks in preparation. But is Advent a time for penance? Though it is not formally a penitential season as Lent is, historically, it has been a time for fasting in preparation for Jesus’ coming. Yesterday we looked at Luke Chapter 3, talking about preparing the way for Jesus by giving ourselves to others. Today in chapter 4... Read more
In the Gospel of Luke Chapter 3, John the Baptist provides a prescription to prepare the way in the season of Advent. As was prophesied in Isaiah, John called for repentance and to: “Prepare the Way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Luke... Read more
At the end of Chapter 2 in the Gospel of Luke, we read about Jesus being found in the temple “listening and asking questions.” “After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions; and all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.” Luke 2:46-47 This passage is the only glimpse we get of Jesus in the Gospels during his hidden years between infancy and his public... Read more
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