Gospel Commentary Archives - Page 25 of 53

The Word that changes a river’s course

September 23, 2020

In today’s parable, a father asks his two sons to work in the vineyard. As for the first one, the text says, “He said in reply, ‘I will not,’ but afterwards changed his mind and went.” As for the second, “He said in reply, ‘Yes, sir,’ but did not go.” Note the asymmetry. For the first son, there was a moment in which he changed his mind. It seems obvious that to go from no to yes requires a change in between. In this case, we call it repentance. For the second son, however, no such moment of change is mentioned. Put simply, his yes was never really sincere.

Returning late in the day

September 16, 2020

I don’t know if you feel the same way, but for the past few weeks, the Lord, in the Gospels, has been really challenging my way of thinking. It is almost like he is grabbing me by the britches, turning me upside down and shaking loose certain preconceived, false views on life. Today’s Gospel passage is no different.

A parable of forgiveness

September 3, 2020

Desperate people, experience tells us, will often make wild promises, swearing anything to God or others to avoid the final enclosure of despair in a moment of panic. It’s a pitiable moment whenever we see it in film or literature, and even more so if we experience it in real life. Christ’s parable about forgiveness provides us with just such a scene, illustrating for us the true drama of mercy.

A roadmap to resolution

September 2, 2020

In this week’s installment of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus gives us the famous roadmap to resolving conflicts and setting healthy boundaries. The entire passage presumes that Christian believers should be at harmony with each other. Why? Because we are in the presence of Christ, and by our baptism are grafted into the prince of peace himself. After all: “Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

You, too, take up your cross

August 26, 2020

It’s a shocking scene. Peter, just having heard Jesus foretell his coming suffering, death and resurrection for the first time, takes Jesus and rebukes him. “God forbid, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” It seems like a loving concern the disciple has for his Master. But Peter is thinking as men do, not as God does. He does not realize the true nature of Jesus’ mission and that it involves suffering, dying and rising again.

‘Who do you say that I am?’

August 18, 2020

Imagine taking a walk with Jesus and a crowd of his disciples and watching him stop suddenly, turn around, look you in the eye, and ask you, “Who do you say that I am?”

An important encounter

August 12, 2020

Few of Jesus’ interactions with people in the Gospels are more jarring than the one presented us this week. We are used to Christ as the understanding, merciful one who supports and encourages the poor. So when he initially refuses the request of this woman in trouble, even as she cries out “Lord, help me,” we can easily be troubled.

Taking the first step

August 5, 2020

Have you ever tried to walk on water? It’s slightly more difficult than our imagination lets on. Of course, there’s the obvious problem of not sinking. But let’s suppose you had that covered, by pontoon shoes or the grace of God. You’d still have to work out the problems of balance and standing up straight. The water, after all, is not a level surface: It comes in waves and is likely to be a bit squishy under your feet. At any moment your level ground may become a hill, a slope, a peak, and then rolls past, leaving you on the other side.

On earth as it is in heaven

July 29, 2020

Pay attention to Jesus’ eyes in this Sunday’s Gospel. What does he see? Where does he look?

Are you a student of Christian life?

July 22, 2020

Recently, I played a very enjoyable round of golf with a friend of a friend for the first time. This gentleman has a very solid golf game which is an absolute pleasure to watch. He has a very consistent swing and a putting routine that is well-tuned and effective. He plays golf with a certain ease and comfort; that is, he can hold a conversation with you that is personal and thoughtful. At the same time, he is quite focused on the game he is playing, paying attention to important details like the direction and strength of the wind, the speed of the greens and where to land on the green so that you have an uphill putt. It became very obvious to me that this guy is a real student of the game of golf.

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