In the animated movie Up, a shy lonely man knows joy, married to the love of his life and delighting in their little home, even with its sorrows. After Ellie dies, Carl becomes increasingly sealed in by grief and pain, his frown deepening into fixed furrows, the beautiful nest becoming an airless bubble. Soon, booming industry and development surround and dwarf the little house, until Carl becomes a bewildered, angry prisoner within the world and within himself.
God's Word on Sunday: True disciples put everything on the line
By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Sept. 4 (Wisdom 9:13-18; Psalm 90; Philemon 9b-10, 12-17; Luke 14: 25-33)
God does not think and act like humans, and we can be very grateful for that. Time after time in the Old Testament, people are chastised for imagining that they can figure God out or understand the divine will. Job discovered this when God spoke to him from the whirlwind (Job 38) and took him to task for reaching far beyond his capacity to know and understand.
God's Word on Sunday: The humble have strength in character
By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Aug. 28 (Sirach 3:17-20, 28-29; Psalm 68; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-224a; Luke 14:1, 7-14)
Humility often suffers from a dubious reputation. It is accused of being instrumental in crushing people and denying them respect, dignity and the opportunity to grow. Often it is used to keep people in their place and to perpetuate inequalities and social hierarchies.
God's Word on Sunday: One God, one humanity and one world
By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Aug. 21 (Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13; Luke 13:22-30)
What does the world yearn for most of all? Many would say unity and a sense of God’s presence.
God's Word on Sunday: We thrive only in following God’s way
By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Aug. 14 (Jeremiah 28:4-6, 8-10; Psalm 40; Hebrews 12:1-4; Luke 12:49-53)
Speaking the truth to power is a dangerous and sometimes lethal undertaking. But that is the mission of prophets of God — to tell those in power and the people of the nation what they did not want to hear.
God's Word on Sunday: Faith is what makes salvation possible
By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) Aug. 7 (Wisdom 18:6-9; Psalm 33; Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19; Luke 12:32-48)
Time is a precious gift. How we use our time is an essential part of our spiritual life. Some people merely wait for events to overtake them with little thought to preparation or learning life lessons along the way.
God's Word on Sunday: Earthly concerns don’t come before God
By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 31 (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23; Psalm 90; Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11; Luke 12:13-21)
The author of Ecclesiastes does not seem like the sort of person one would want to invite to dinner or to a party. His voice is wearied, passionless and a bit cynical. Nothing seems to interest or excite him.
God's Word on Sunday: If we seek God, He will open His doors to us
By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 24 (Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138; Colossians 2:12-14; Luke 11:1-13)
How do we respond to the chaos, fear, violence and injustice of our times? One of the most potent tools at our disposal is intercessory prayer.
God's Word on Sunday: We’re all welcome in God’s plan of redemption
By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 17 (Genesis 18:1-10a; Psalm 15; Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42)
Abraham and Sarah had all but given up. God had promised Abraham a son and heir and that he would become a father of a great nation. But the time on the biological clock had run out, for they were both far advanced in years, and no son by Sarah had been born. And this is often the moment God chooses to act — when all human efforts have been exhausted.
God's Word on Sunday: We will find the law of love, oneness within
By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 10 (Deuteronomy 30:10-14; Psalm 69; Colossians 1:15-20; Luke 10:25-37)
Where can we find God? Even the greatest mystics and saints experienced times in which they felt that God was absent. They struggled with doubts and fears, as do most people.
God's Word on Sunday: Love raises us above what tears us apart
By Fr. Scott Lewis, S.J14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C) July 3 (Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66; Galatians 6: 14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20
There is nothing as powerful as knowing that one is unconditionally loved. It gives hope, strength, courage and healing. With that knowledge of being loved we can bear the burdens that come our way and many things become possible. The spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola begin with this as the “first principle and foundation” — we are created out of love and for love. That is our reason for existing — to love and be loved.