Fr. Scott Lewis

God's Word on Sunday: Hope gives us the strength to endure

January 31, 2021

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 7 (Year B) Job 7:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 147; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23; Mark 1:29-39 Our perception of time depends a lot on our experience. When we are successful, happy, fulfilled and loved, time is swift indeed. It seems as if the party is over all too soon and we are reluctant to move on. But what about our experience of time when life is a gruelling and painful burden?

God's Word on Sunday: Be attentive to God’s voice guiding us

January 24, 2021

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jan. 31 (Year B) Deuteronomy 18:15-20; Psalm 95; 1 Corinthians 7:32-35; Mark 1:21-28 What happens when a great prophetic figure passes from this Earth? Who takes their place and how do people once again hear the voice of God?

God's Word on Sunday: The call to repentance is meant for all

January 17, 2021

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jan. 24 (Year B) Isaiah 3:1-5, 10; Psalm 25; 1 Corinthians 7:29-31; Mark 1:14-20 The mission of Jonah was far more dramatic than the edited snippet in the lectionary would have us believe. When God ordered Jonah to prophesy against Nineveh, he ran the other way. He wanted no part of it, but God did not care about Jonah’s likes and dislikes.

God's Word on Sunday: When the Lord speaks, are we listening?

January 10, 2021

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jan. 17 (Year B) 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 6:13c-15a, 17-20; John 1:35-42 We hear many voices calling us each day — some of them important and true, but most consist of noise, disinformation and outright dishonesty. But a communication from God has some distinct characteristics that make us stop and listen.

God's Word on Sunday: The Lord’s word is always at work

January 3, 2021

Baptism of the Lord (Year B) Jan. 10 (Isaiah 55:1-11; 1 John 5:1-9; Mark 1:7-11) Without food and water, all life withers and dies. What a fitting biblical metaphor for God! We are invited to come to the waters and to receive wine and milk — all for free. No preconditions or charges and all are included. The prophet exults in God’s generosity. The food is not only abundant, but also the best. At the same time, he is puzzled: why, in the face of such generosity, are so many people uninterested? Why do they fling away their money and their energy on things that are worthless and do not satisfy?

God's Word on Sunday: God’s mercy shines, even in tough times

December 27, 2020

Epiphany of the Lord (Year B) Jan. 3 (Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12) Most people will be more than happy to see 2020 growing smaller in the rearview mirror. It has been long, hard and painful and brought disease, death, financial hardship and loss of human community. It seemed at times that it would never end, and in fact, it has not. We have a long road ahead of us.

God's Word on Sunday: Faith carves path to immortality

December 20, 2020

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, Dec. 27 (Year B) Genesis 15:1-6; 17:3b-5; 15-16; 21:1-7; Psalm 105; Hebrews 11:8, 11-12, 17-19; Luke 2:22-40 After we leave this Earth, will we be remembered? And if we will be remembered, what form will that memory take?

God's Word on Sunday: God’s faithful love is unconditional

December 13, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 20 (Year B) 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16; Psalm 89; Romans 16:25-27; Luke 1:26-38 David wanted to do something spectacular for God. He proposed building a house for God — a temple — but God was not interested. David was shocked, and even Nathan the prophet was caught unawares.

God's Word on Sunday: We are called be part of God’s work

December 6, 2020

Third Sunday of Advent, Dec.13 (Year B) Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24; John 1:6-8, 19-28 How do we know when God is present or when God has visited humanity? God always leaves behind unmistakable signs of the divine presence. Most of them can be summed up with the word “freedom” and can be either physical, psychological or spiritual in nature — or all three.

God's Word on Sunday: Restoration begins with a focus on God

November 29, 2020

Second Sunday of Advent, Dec. 6 (Year B) Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 85; 2 Peter 3:8-14; Mark 1:1-8 The God of the philosophers and the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are very different.