Gospel Commentary - The Arlington Catholic Herald

Faith / Your Faith / Gospel Commentary

Is Jesus speaking to me?

Just before this passage in the Gospel of St. Luke, we find Jesus calling his disciples to himself, then, from among them, calling the Twelve Apostles. We pick up the story this Sunday when those disciples and apostles arrive with Jesus “on a stretch of level ground” where “… a large number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon ...” have come to meet Jesus. To complete the context of the passage we hear this Sunday it is helpful to notice two verses which are left out. Those verses say that the great crowd “… came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and even those who were tormented by unclean spirits were cured. Everyone in the crowd sought to touch him because power came forth from him and healed them all.”

2/12/19

Fr. Matthew Zuberbueler

Set out into the deep

Out on the Sea of Galilee, the time for catching fish is at night.

2/6/19

For the Catholic Herald

Prophetic voice

Today’s readings invite us to ponder a critical, yet occasionally uncomfortable element of our Catholic faith — the prophetic role of Christ and his disciples.

1/30/19

Fr. Jack Peterson, YA | For the Catholic Herald
Gospel commentary: Called to be a friend of God

This Sunday gives us an odd set of Gospel readings, in that we hear St. Luke introduce his Gospel with his reasons for writing, and we immediately leap over the stories of Jesus’ childhood into one of the first episodes of his public life. Yet, despite the gap between the two passages, read today as one, they emphasize some similar things, in particular, the historical specifics of Christ’s life and action.More

1/24/19

Fr. Joseph Rampino

Baptism is a lifelong commitment

The baptism of Jesus is the final feast day of the Christmas season, but it seems out of place. More

1/9/19

Fr. James C. Hudgins | For the Catholic Herald

Preparing room

This Sunday, so close to the Christmas celebrations, we find the activity of some special hearts, those beating for Jesus, Mary and Elizabeth. More

12/19/18

Fr. Matthew H. Zuberbueler | For the Catholic Herald

The gift of joy

Joy is one of God’s greatest gifts. We all deeply desire more joy in our lives — true joy, lasting joy, abundant joy. More

12/11/18

Fr. Jack Peterson, YA | For the Catholic Herald

The Baptist's message: hope and conversion

At the start of our Gospel reading this Sunday, St. Luke offers the historical background of the beginning of John the Baptist's ministry, which historians would place between 27 and 29 AD. More

12/6/18

By Fr. Robert J. Wagner | For the Catholic Herald

Come, Lord Jesus

In his poem, "Fog," Carl Sandburg describes the fog rolling in quietly "on little cat feet." Advent is like that. More

11/28/18

Msgr. Stanley J. Krempa | For the Catholic Herald

Gospel commentary: Listening for the tone of truth

In an age bombarded by information and words it can be instructive to slow down long enough to listen — to hear the Eternal Word speak.More

11/16/18

Fr. Matthew Zuberbueler

‘Our two cents’

Likely we have heard the expression “my two cents” as a way to describe someone’s opinion, as in, “Before we make a final decision, here are my two cents on the subject.” More

11/7/18

Fr. Robert J. Wagner | For the Catholic Herald

Guides to the kingdom

In today's Gospel, however, the scribe who approaches Jesus is sincere when he asks which is the greatest Commandment. Jesus' answer is classic. He quotes the famous Jewish prayer from Deuteronomy, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength." Then Jesus adds from Leviticus, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."More

11/2/18

Msgr. Stanley J. Krempa

Way simpler

What would we learn if we simplified this Sunday’s Gospel story of the healing of the blind man, Bartimaeus? More

10/25/18

Fr. Matthew H. Zuberbueler | For the Catholic Herald

Gospel commentary: Lead by Jesus’ example

Jesus was the consummate teacher. He came to reveal to the world the most important truths about God, his kingdom and the path to human flourishing. His teaching method is a work of art to be studied. At times, Jesus simply holds the crowds spellbound by his wisdom and authority. On occasion, he chastises individuals for their pride, hypocrisy and bad example. Sometimes, Jesus lets his disciples learn by hands-on experience as when he sends them ahead of him on a preaching mission. At other times he redirects their follies and re-channels their energies in new directions.More

10/17/18

Fr. Jack Peterson

He went away sad

As Disciples of Christ, we must protect ourselves from misconceptions about wealth and prosperity. More

10/10/18

By Fr. Robert Wagner | For the Catholic Herald

More