Last Sunday Jesus proclaimed: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!” Is it any wonder that this week the question is “How many will be saved?” Our gospel text (Luke 12:22-30) offers Jesus’ reply: strive to enter through the narrow door and warns not many will be able to do it/. Yet later Jesus paints a picture of a wide open door in which people from “east and west” streaming toward the final banquet feast. But, the door will eventually shut. 

The gospel has warnings and encouragements. So, take a moment and consider all that Jesus has to offer.  Do it from the comfort of your back porch!

Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary

Image credit: Pexels | Farouk Tokluoglu | CC-BY

The gospel finds Jesus dining at the home of a Pharisee. If past is prologue, then controversy will soon appear. Knowing the heart of the host and guests, Jesus tells a parable that bring out topics of “honor” and “humility.”  Given the importance of social status as determined by the perception of one’s contemporaries, and the importance of the reciprocity of gift and obligation in ancient society, Jesus offers wisdom for one’s perception of the “seating chart.” Jesus’ vision of honor and humility point to a new vision of life and community.

So, take a moment and consider all that Jesus has to offer.  Do it from the comfort of your back porch!

Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary

Jesus at Supper | Caravaggio (1606) | National Gallery London | PD-US

Over the last few Sundays, Jesus has called people to commitment – now – as we know not the time or hour when it will be too late. The cost of discipleship is paid in many different kinds of currency. For some persons a redirection of time and energy is required, for others a change in personal relationships, a change in vocation, or a commitment of financial resources; but for each person the call to discipleship is all consuming. A complete change in priorities is required of all would-be disciples. No part-time disciples are needed. No partial commitments are accepted.

Take a moment and consider all that Jesus has to offer.  Do it from the comfort of your back porch!

Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary

Image credit: Pexels | Tima Miroshnichenko | CC-BY

September 14th is the traditional day to celebrate the finding of the true cross – when it falls on a Sunday it is celebrated in place of the Ordinary Time Sunday. The readings from the Book of Numbers and the Gospel of John are reminders that the deepest meaning of the cross is healing and that we are called to “behold the cross” and raise our eyes inadoration. In the same way during the Mass, when the priest calls out “Behold the Lamb of God…” we reminded to look to our Savior, sacrificed that we may be healed and saved.

Take a moment and consider all that theses readings offer.  Do it from the comfort of your back porch!

Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary plus an additional Commentary on the larger Johannine Reading

Moses and the Brazen Serpent | Esteban March (1610-1668) | Banco Santander Collection, Madrid |  PD-US

In each of the parables of Luke 16 the beginnings are similar: these was a rich man. In our gospel the rich man returns after hearing a report of some of a scheming steward. The parable has been a problem for interpreters. What are we to make of the end of the parable when the schemer is commended for his actions which seem to us as so plainly dishonest. Is he commended for wise decision making when push-came-to-shove? Is it meant to be irony? Are we meant to be “schemers” for the Kingdom of God?

Take a moment and consider all that Jesus’ parable has to offer.  Do it from the comfort of your back porch!

Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary

Parable of the Unjust Steward | A.N. Mironov | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 4.0

In each of the parables of Luke 16 the beginnings are similar: these was a rich man – this week is no different. Outside the door of the Rich Man is poor Lazarus “who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table”  The parable is told is two parts: this life and a scene from the life to come. Our choices as well as our silence has consequences. The Word of God is with us in the here and now – it is sufficient but must become action… procrastinators beware. There is a lot going on.

Take a moment and consider all that Jesus’ parable has to offer.  Do it from the comfort of your back porch!

Full Text of the Sunday Readings
Detailed Commentary

The Poor Lazarus at the Rich Man’s Door | James Tissot, 1886–1894 | Brooklyn Museum | PD-US