A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings

Widow who Offers All She Has to Live on

Jesus wholly offers himself to take away our sins.  In this sacrifice shares the widow who gives all she has to live on. In the Bible, as we know, to be a widow, orphan or a foreigner means, in general, to be poor.  That is why the generosity of the widow of Zarephath...

Hear, the Lord our God is Lord Alone

Jesus embodies the one who created us, men and women, in his image, after his likeness.  Rightly does he tell us, then, that to love and hear God is to love and hear the neighbor. A scribe asks Jesus, “Which is the first of all the commandments?”  And he answers that...

Edge of the Road Leading to Jerusalem

Jesus is merciful.  For he cares for those who call on him in their needs.  He does not leave them at the edge of the road; he takes them with him. The one who has come to be a sacrifice for all cannot pass over those who are poor.  Those, though, who take seats of...

Throne of Grace, Goodness and Mercy

Jesus endured the cross and now sits at the right of the throne of God.  We will reign with him if we persevere with him in suffering and service. Even the disciples obsess about becoming great; they argue about who is the greatest.  And to preempt all discussion and...
Laborers of the Lord of the Harvest

Vine and Branches and Much Fruit

Jesus is the vine and his disciples, the branches.  Remaining in Jesus, and he in them, the disciples bear much fruit. Remaining now in the true vine, Paul gives much fruit. He does not only speak boldly in the name of Jesus. He also toils harder than all the other...

Laborers of the Lord of the Harvest

Ghost – Phantom, Dead, Fright, False, Fake

Our Lord Jesus Christ is truly risen.  Those who genuinely believe in him meet him really alive in our midst.  He is not a ghost. The risen Jesus gives his disciples the greeting of peace.  But just the same, his sudden appearance frightens and surprises them.  They...

Laborers of the Lord of the Harvest

Unexpected and Glorious Outcome

God does not leave Jesus among the dead.  Nor does he let the one faithful to him till death know decay.  This is wonderful in our eyes, unexpected. Mary Magdalene goes to Jesus’ tomb and runs into something unexpected.  That is because she sees the tomb open. ...

Laborers of the Lord of the Harvest

Arms Outstretched, Brow Sweating Blood

Jesus loves us with the strength of his arms and the sweat of his brow.  He dies for us so that we may no longer live for ourselves but for him and others. Loving us to the end, Jesus lays down his life for us.  That is how we come to know love.  It is not a matter of...

Laborers of the Lord of the Harvest

Everyone, No Matter One’s Nationality

Lifted up from the earth, Jesus draws everyone to himself.  He wants us to die with him on the cross, so that we may have eternal life. One can safely say that everyone looks for self-fulfillment.  We may not be able to define it or specify the right means of...

Laborers of the Lord of the Harvest

Temple Means Basically “God-With-Us”

Jesus is the only temple that matters.  He is “God-with-us,” the fullest presence of God among human beings. Jesus feels outrage when he finds in the temple area sellers of animals and money-changers.  They probably think they foster worship of God.  But Jesus...