~~~SisterSea~~~

Shared Homily Starter First reading: Zechariah 12.10-11 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 62 Second reading: Galatians 3.26-29 Gospel: Luke 9.18-24 The scene for the first reading is part of an oracle or warning given by Zachariah to the people who have returned from the Babylonian captivity.   The part of the warning just before today’s reading is that God has intervened to protect Jerusalem from invading armies.   The bodies of the slain would-be invaders are strewn everywhere.   It is at this point that the reading begins. Notice, God has not put a spirit of rejoicing in the hearts of the people.   No, God has poured out a spirit of compassion and supplication for their slain and wounded enemies. Think of the people of Jerusalem as people of any era, including our own.   This reading suggests that our God inspires us to have compassion for the fallen, even those that may be perceived as enemies.   Our God want us to weep for them a...

Shared Homily Starter First reading: 1 Kings 17:17-24 Responsorial Psalm:   Psalm 30 Second reading: Galatians 1.11-19 Gospel: Luke 7.11-17 Those of you, who know me, know that I’m a sci-fi fan.   Have any of you seen the film, The Mummy ?   Well, there is line recurring line in the film, “Death is only the beginning.”   That line seems to be an appropriate theme for today’s readings.   In the first reading, we find the woman of the house whose son has died, saying “O God, what I’ve I done that you’ve taken away my son.”   Then we have Elijah saying, “O God, did you have to take her son while I’m staying with her.”   Let’s look at this reading through the lens of dream therapy, where each character in the dream represents the dreamer.   Looked at this way, the woman’s reaction mirrors how most of us respond when something tragic happens in our lives, namely, “what did I do to deserve this.”   Elijah then reminds us of o...