Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J
He is a past president of the Canadian Catholic Biblical Association.
Jesus offers no free pass
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Aug. 25 (Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30)
The concept of a universal God was not a New Testament invention. The vision of the inclusion of other peoples and nations in God’s plan of salvation was firmly embedded in the third portion of the Book of Isaiah. The sojourn in Babylon had stretched the intellectual and spiritual horizons of Israel’s people. They encountered other belief systems and cultures more directly than in the past. Even in foreign captivity they saw God at work and their release from captivity was a gift of Cyrus the new Persian ruler, designated God’s anointed in Isaiah.
Like Jesus, we all have to do the heavy lifting
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Aug. 18 (Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10; Psalm 40; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53)
To be with Christ, we must be like Him
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Aug. 4 (Ecclesiastes 1:2, 2:21-23; Psalm 90; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21)
There is power in righteousness
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 28 (Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13)
Treat all as if they were angels
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 21 (Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42)
Through Christ the universe is united
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 14 (Deuteronomy 30:10-14; Psalm 69; Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37)
Heaven is our only reward
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 7 (Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20)
Jesus’ call is an invitation
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) June 30 (Kings 19:16, 19-21; Psalm 16; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62)
Elisha was completely blindsided. As he went out to plow that morning, he probably thought the day would be like any other, but his life would never be the same.
Playing it safe is not Christian discipleship
12th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) June 23 (Zechariah 12:10-11; Psalm 63; Galatians 3:26-29; Luke 9:18-24)
Zechariah’s cryptic prophecy presents us with a question: Who was the one who was pierced and why? These and other questions remain unanswered from the historical point of view.
Repentance, forgiveness will set us free
11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) June 16 (2 Samuel 12:7-10, 13; Psalm 32; Galatians 2:16, 19-21; Luke 7:36-8:3)
For some people there is no such thing as “enough” — more power, money, fame and control over others is an obsession. King David had been given everything: dominion over the land, the crown of Israel, deliverance from danger and countless other blessings. God would have even added more if only David had asked. God only asked that David remember these kindnesses and walk in the ways of the Lord.