Reflection for Sunday June 30th

Sunday Gospel: Mk 5:21-43

He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction." Jesus said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid; just have faith." The previous two quotes come from this week's Gospel reading.  They clearly indicate that faith is at the heart of the passage. Both the woman and Jarius have faith in the power of Jesus. They seek him out for healing and help. They teach us the importance of faith and  how we should go to Jesus with our issues. However, just because we follow their examples does nit always mean we will get the same results. God is not a genie or Santa Clause fulfilling our wishes and requests. Faith is about more than a moment. It is about a life with Christ and union with God now and forever. We can all grow in our faith and trust with God. This week think about what you need to bring to God.  Have the faith to entrust your worries and problems to God despite the eventual outcome. Even if your problem is not resolved Jesus will still be with you through your trial.

Reflection for Sunday June 2nd by Elodie

Sunday Gospel: Mk 14:12-16, 22-26

In this passage we read about Jesus asking his disciples to go into Jerusalem and follow his instructions to find a room to celebrate Passover. They listen to him, and find exactly what Jesus said. Jesus then takes bread and gives it to all his disciples while he says “Take it; this is my body”. He does the same with a cup, saying “This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many.” Afterwards, Jesus and his disciples go to the Mount of Olives.
    Jesus calls the wine his “blood of the covenant”, and calls the bread “his body”, showing that these offerings symbolize the promise of salvation between God and his people. It also shows how soon after this meal, Jesus is going to give himself up for his people and die for their sins. We still share in Jesus’ body and blood today when we consume the Eucharist at Church.
    The next time you receive the Eucharist at Mass, try to reflect on the significance of this act.

This week's Gospel is by Elodie, MSJA class of 2027.

Reflection for Sunday June 9th

Sunday Gospel: Mk 3:20-35

"And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand." This line from today's Gospel, from 2000 years ago could not be more true. How many people are turned away from our faith from the divisiveness that we have around some many things.  It can be easy to focus on the things that divide us. Instead, we should focus first on the the things that unite us. This is especially true for our brothers and sisters who belong to other Christian denominations. When we look outside our faith we should always begin by rec organizing how every person is made in the image and likeness of God and that whatever we do for the another we do for Christ. Think about someone who who are distanced from and what you can do to restore that relationship.

Reflection for Sunday June 16th

​Sunday Gospel: Mk 4:26-34

In this gospel, Jesus tells the crowd two parables. The first describes a farmer, whose field steadily grows and yields great fruit. The second parable describes a tiny mustard seed as it grows into a large flourishing plant.

These parables tell us that the kingdom of God is alive and working with us. When we take root and soak in the love of God we can then grow into beautiful and faithful disciples. Some of us slowly grow in trust and holiness like the wheat, while others "spring up" and explode with goodness like the mustard seed.

Nevertheless God is calling us to a new and full life. He knows we will need assistance and pruning, but invites us to be fully alive. God asks us to receive His love, grow, and bear fruit: how can we do that this summer?

This week's Gospel is by Ruth, Martin Saints Classical School class of 2026.

Reflection for Sunday June 23rd​

Sunday Gospel: Mk 4:35-41

 In this week's Gospel, we hear of the Apostles following Jesus when he said "Let us cross to the other side." The Apostles then find themselves encountering vicious seas, so they wake Jesus. Then, Jesus effortlessly calms the sea and the wind with three words, "Quiet! Be still.", to which the Apostles respond with astonishment saying "Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?" Who then is? Who can not only calm wind and sea, but also the storms inside our hearts and minds. I think this is a great reminder that Jesus can conquer anything in how he was asleep when the Apostles thought they were near death. It's helpful to remember that Jesus is always with us asleep in our boats in our situations. When do I struggle? When I look at the waves and the wind of situations that aren't going my way, instead of Jesus and the situations that went well in my day.

This weeks reflection is by Charlie in 8th grade.