Reflection for Sunday November 27, 2022

Sunday Gospel Mt 24:37-44

In today's Gospel reflection, Jesus is foreshadowing what is still yet to come. He does this by connecting his lesson to the story of Noah. Had the people known that the flood was coming, they would have prepared for it to save themselves. Instead, Jesus wants us to prepare every day as if a flood is coming the next. For an example, a teacher would not tell their class that a pop-quiz is coming up soon. That would defeat the purpose of the quiz. A teacher wants his class to study without the motivation that a test is coming. Only those who are prepared for the unexpected will pass. This is what Jesus is trying to convey to us. He wants us to follow him regardless of what may be coming. Jesus let us know what is coming, but he didn’t tell us when. He wants us to wonder: “How have I been preparing?”

This week's reflection is by Henry, Springfield Township High School Class of 2024

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Reflection for Sunday November 20, 2022 

Sunday Gospel: Lk 23:35-43


This week is the end of the Church calendar which we celebrate with the feast of Christ the King. This feast always makes me stop and think. When I hear the word king I think of two distinct images. The first is a tyrant that rules with power and authority. Someone that lives in a castle apart from the people that they rule over. The second image is a king that serves and protects his people. Kings like Aslan, Aragorn, and David. The ones who risk their life. Living in America, the country that rebelled against their king, it is easy to have a tendency to reject the very idea of a king, or to think of the king as a figurehead like the British royals. During this feast, I am challenged to think about what it means for Jesus to be king and what kind of King is Jesus. Jesus is the objective king but we still have to make him our king. The one we listen to, follow, and serve. I know that ultimately Jesus is a king I can submit to and follow. The real question is “Am I willing to let Jesus rule over me and to subject myself to his way of life?”
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Reflection for Sunday November 6, 2022

​Gospel Reading: Lk 20:27-38
What does a teaching on the resurrection and marriage have to do with all of us? This Sunday’s Gospel passage from Luke may seem like something that is only for those who are married but it has something to teach all of us. The core of this passage is comparing how we experience life now and how we will experience eternal life in heaven. Jesus is emphasizing that there are things we experience during our earthly life that are temporary. Things like pain, sin, loss, temptation, and even marriage are things of this side of heaven. I don’t think Jesus is putting marriage down by any means. Instead He is reminding us that we are made for union with God, we are made for heaven. It is a caution against focusing too much on the things of this world that we miss out on our true destination. This teaching can also remind us of the value of consecrated life as priests, sisters, and brothers. Religious vocations forego earthly marriage and instead pursue heavenly marriage, union with God. They are a witness to us of what we are all meant to experience in heaven. What can you do to live with heaven in mind?

Reflection for Sunday November 13, 2022

Gospel Reading: Lk 21:5-19
This week’s Gospel focuses on the time before Jesus’ second coming. There will be wars, famine, persecution, trials, and suffering. Despite all of these things Jesus says “do not be terrified” and “not a hair on your head will be destroyed”. Jesus also tells us that through these challenges we will be given the chance to give testimony. When we hear about these terrible things happening we can either turn to fear or turn to trusting in God. No matter what happens we trust that God is with us and that he has already won. The passage can challenge us, though, to think about how we are going to respond. Will we see the challenges as an opportunity to testify to our faith?  What can you do now to build up your faith so that you can face whatever challenges you encounter?
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