A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings

Sap of Life, Strength and Fruitfulness

Jesus is the true vine.  He gives the branches that remain in him the sap that gives them life and strength and makes them bear plenty of fruit. Jesus uses the allegory of the vine and the branches. He does so since he wants to make clear how his disciples should...

Ruler and Savior, Lord and Messiah, Good Shepherd

Jesus is Ruler and Savior, Lord and Messiah.  Yet he lords over no one; he serves and is the Good Shepherd who gives his life for the sheep. A ruler among Jesus’ own should not at all be like a ruler among the Gentiles. The latter lords it over others. The former, on...

Catch the Good News of Jesus Christ

The one who has risen is the same Jesus of Nazareth that the disciples have known, loved and followed on the roads of Galilee.  To be his witness means to see to it that other folks catch the Good News.  Those who make up a group can easily catch each other’s fears or...

Read the Signs of Jesus in Our Midst

Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God.  To believe in him means to know how to read, to grasp, his many signs in our midst.  We read, as we come to the end of today’s gospel, “Jesus did many other signs.”  So then, we can take it that his rising from the dead is one of...

More caught than taught

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), July 20, 2014 – Wis 12, 13. 16-19; Rom 8, 26-27; Mt 13, 24-43 The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness (Rom 8, 26) The perfection of God is the source of his disinterested generosity, his lenient patience and his sharp vision....

External seminary

Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), July 13, 2014 – Is 55, 10-11; Rom 8, 18-23; Mt 13, 1-23 As we wait for redemption (Rom 8, 23) Jesus is the divine Word. Attuned to him and remaining in him, we will bear much fruit. God spoke through the prophets. He now speaks...

Selling-point

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), July 6, 2014 – Zech 9, 9-10; Rom 8, 9. 11-13; Mt 11, 25-30 Whoever does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him (Rom 8, 9) We are invited to a relaxing and renewing life together. And we can approach without...

Right on target?

Saints Peter and Paul, June 29, 2014 – Acts 12, 1-11; 2 Tim 4, 6-8. 17-18; Mt 16, 13-19 To him be glory forever and ever! (2 Tim 4, 18) We get it right if we confess that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. But just like the one who got it right first, we...

Depoliticizing “E pluribus unum”

The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (A), June 22, 2014 – Dt 8, 2-3. 14b-16a; 1 Cor 10, 16-17; Jn 6, 51-58 The loaf of bread is one, so we are one body (1 Cor 10, 17) God feeds us while we pilgrims march through the desert toward the lasting city. Unless we are...

Open secret

The Most Holy Trinity (A), June 15, 2014 – Ex 34, 4b-6. 8-9; 2 Cor 13, 11-13; Jn 3, 16-18 God of love and peace (2 Cor 13, 11) It is not good for a human being to be alone. But since a person can end up badly accompanied, it is beneficial for us to return, at Jesus’...

Grace in defeat, generosity in victory

The Ascension of the Lord (A), June 1, 2014 – Acts 1, 1-11; Eph 1, 17-23; Mt 28, 16-20 The riches of glory in his inheritance (Eph 1, 18) Jesus has lived doing good. Now that his hour is at hand, he makes it clear that his reason for passing from this world to the...

Anchor of salvation

Sixth Sunday of Easter (A), May 25, 2014 – Acts 8, 5-8. 14-17; 1 Pt 3, 15-18; Jn 14, 15-21 Ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope (1 Pt 3, 15) Jesus does not leave his own orphans, defenseless. In imitation of the Master, the...

“Eyes on the prize”

Fifth Sunday of Easter (A), May 18, 2014 – Acts 6, 1-7; 1 Pt 2, 4-9; Jn 14, 1-12 To offer spiritual sacrifices (1 Pt 2, 5) The supper Jesus has eagerly desired to eat with his own before his passion is a pledge of fellowship there where Master and disciples will share...

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