A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings

Followers of Jesus, Thinking, Wise

Jesus embodies what he teaches on being thoughtful and purposeful.  He asks all his followers to be so, and thus the success of the cross will be theirs. Great crowds go with Jesus on the way to Jerusalem (see Lk 9, 51; 13, 22).  He turns and tells them that to be his...

Lowliness, Simplicity, Truth and Freedom

Jesus is the poorest of the poor on whom God looks with favor due to the simplicity, lowliness and awe of him that they show. Does it bother Jesus that his fellow guests, leading Pharisees, and maybe the host, too, watch him closely?  If he shows that it does, it may...

Meal of Salvation, Meal of Judgment

Jesus is the meal to which we are all invited, so that we may not perish but have eternal life.  Do we come to it wearing the proper attire? To enter God’s kingdom, it is not enough to be in a meal with Jesus, once, twice or more.  He says so as he answers one who...

Burn with Zeal for the Kingdom of God

Jesus cannot but burn with zeal for God’s kingdom.  For he has come to proclaim it, to bring it in, and to bring it about to the full. In many places, trees, houses and other things burn in fires.  We are sorry, of course, for the deaths, losses and harm that fires...
Reign of God and His Justice First

Reign of God and His Justice First

Jesus teaches us how to pray. He wants us to ask first that the Father’s name be praised, his reign come and his will be done. Self-interest plays no part in Solomon’s prayer. He only asks for wisdom to reign. And the Lord does what he asks. So, Solomon knows what to...

Reign of God and His Justice First

Kindly Power that Gives Us Hope

Kindly is Jesus, slow to anger and full of mercy. He gives us the good hope for salvation, peace and security. Every cloud has a silver lining. So, it is not all bad that the devil brings evil into the world that God created good. But the kindly Son of Man does not...

Reign of God and His Justice First

Eager and High-Spirited Sowers

Jesus is the one who sows the word of the Kingdom. And he wants his followers to be eager and high-spirited sowers that he is. The wise and the learned say Jesus blasphemes, breaks the law and is possessed by the devil (Mk 2, 7. 24; 3, 22). But  the simple folks...

Reign of God and His Justice First

Meek Teacher, and Lowly as Well

Jesus is meek and lowly. And he asks us to learn from him, so that we may find rest. The Gospel reading last Sunday spoke about how much it would cost to follow Jesus (Mt 10, 37-42). And the Teacher demanded complete loyalty. Even if it meant painful break with the...

Reign of God and His Justice First

Illusions about Our Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus is the Suffering Servant of the Lord. Those who truly know him do not have illusions about him. The Teacher gives the Twelve full disclosure. For he does not want them to have illusions about how much it costs to be an apostle. After all, this is what calling...

Reign of God and His Justice First

Afraid at Night, Uneasy at Daylight

Jesus is and will always be with us until the end of the age. We put our trust in him and in his words when we are afraid. Jesus tells the Twelve that no disciple is above his teacher. That is to say, those who are like wolves will call them names and speak ill of...

Reign of God and His Justice First

Eat and Drink for Everlasting Life

Jesus gives us his flesh to eat and his blood to drink. He fills and strengthens us pilgrims who are on the way to eternal life. Jesus gives his disciples his body to eat, and asks them, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Then, he gives them his blood to drink, and tells...

Reign of God and His Justice First

Be Love to Know God Who Is Love

Out of love, Jesus lays down his life for us sinners. No one, then, loves us more. He is the best proof that to be God is to be love. Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night. “Night” may mean he seeks light. Is he wrestling with “to be or not to be?” A question of salvation...

Reign of God and His Justice First

Flame of Blazing and Renewing Fire

Jesus is Lord! But we can say this only by the Holy Spirit. And only his flame can renew the face of the earth. The Holy Spirit comes with the strength of a driving wind that fills the whole house where the disciples are. And a tongue of fire or flame rests on each of...

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