The Better Part

Luke 21.5-19 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n (Adults, this Gospel speaks of end-times and the cost of discipleship-—two topics that are beyond the needs and questions of the 3-6 year old child. This reflection focuses on the first two verses and on the gift to God that endures, which ties into the last verse of this reading.) When we listen to the Word of God, we often hear about Jerusalem, the most holy city in Israel. Within Jerusalem, the most holy place is the T

Luke 21.5-19 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus speaks about some upsetting things. He knows that the world is not perfect. He knows that bad things happen. What does he want us to know about these things? When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all wil

Luke 21.5-19 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus seems to take a perfectly ordinary conversation and turn it upside down. When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, “As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down.” Jesus' disciples seem to praise the beautiful Temple built for Go

John 2.13-25   (for the 3-6 yr old, just verses 13-16) Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n In the Gospel for this Sunday, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, to celebrate the Passover meal, the most holy  meal for the Jewish people. He goes to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover because Jerusalem is the most holy  city in Israel. It is holy  because on the highest hill is the Temple, and in the Temple is God. The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In

John 2.13-25   Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n This Sunday, we celebrate a holy place—a special holy building called a "basilica" in Rome. In our Gospel reading, Jesus arrives at a holy place—a special holy building called "the Temple" in Jerusalem. The Temple is the most holy  place in all of Jerusalem because in the Temple is God. The Passover of the Jews was near, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the Temple he found people selling cattle, sheep, and doves, a

John 2.13-25   Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n This Sunday, we celebrate the oldest Catholic basilica found in Rome. A basilica is an impressive palace-like church that stands as a reminder of the glory of God. In the Gospel reading, Jesus arrives at the Temple in Jerusalem to pray. Like our basilicas, the Temple stands as a visible dwelling place   for the invisible God whose great mercy brought the people out of slavery to freedom. The Passover of the Jews was nea

Luke 7.11-17 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n This Sunday is a special day. We think in a particular way about people who died. We know a little bit about dying. We know that seeds fall to the ground and die. New life grows out of the death of those seeds. So we know that death is part of life. But what does Jesus know about death? Photo by Osama Khan on Unsplash As Jesus approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. Where are the people

Luke 7.11-17 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n This Sunday is a feast day. It is November 2nd, the feast of All Souls. Each year on this day, we think in a particular way about those people who died before us. Death is a part of life that touches us close to our hearts. On this day, we listen to the Gospel to find out what Jesus thinks about death. We want to learn something of his heart. Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with

Luke 7.11-17 Listen here to the Gospel and Reflectio n Each year we celebrate All Saints Day on November 1st and then All Souls Day on November 2nd. On All Saints, we remember the crowd of people that the Church knows for sure are filled with the Risen Life of God. On All Souls, we remember the crowds of people who died before us. We begin this month, the last month of the Church year, thinking about death. Why? Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large