Gospel Reflections

Living on the Vine: Scott Hahn on the 27th Sunday In today’s Gospel Jesus returns to the Old Testament symbol of the vineyard to teach about Israel, the Church, and the kingdom of God. And the symbolism of today’s First Reading and Psalm is readily understood. God is the owner…

The Humble Path: Scott Hahn Reflects on the 26th Sunday Echoing the complaint heard in last week’s readings, today’s First Reading again presents protests that God isn’t fair. Why does He punish with death one who begins in virtue but falls into iniquity, while granting life to the wicked one…

First and Last: Scott Hahn Reflects on the 25th Sunday The house of Israel is the vine of God, who planted and watered it, preparing the Israelites to bear fruits of righteousness (see Isaiah 5:7; 27:2–5). Israel failed to yield good fruits, and the Lord allowed His vineyard, Israel’s kingdom,…

The Debt We Owe: Scott Hahn Reflects on the 24th Sunday Mercy and forgiveness should be at the heart of the Christian life. Yet, as today’s First Reading wisely reminds us, often we cherish our wrath, nourish our anger, and refuse mercy to those who have done us wrong. Jesus,…

To Win Them Back: Scott Hahn on the 23rd Sunday As Ezekiel is appointed watchman over the house of Israel in today’s first Reading, so Jesus in the Gospel today establishes His disciples as guardians of the new Israel of God, the Church (see Galatians 6:16). He also puts in…

For Your Life: Scott Hahn Reflects on the 22nd Sunday Today’s First Reading catches the prophet Jeremiah in a moment of weakness. His intimate lamentation contains some of the strongest language of doubt found in the Bible. Following God’s call, he feels abandoned. Preaching His Word has brought him only…

‘Oh, the Depths!’: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” Paul exclaims in today’s Epistle. Today’s Psalm, too, takes up the triumphant note of joy and thanksgiving. Why? Because in the Gospel, the heavenly Father…

A Foreigner’s Faith: Scott Hahn Reflects on the 20th Sunday Most of us are the foreigners, the non-Israelites, about whom today’s First Reading prophesies. Coming to worship the God of Israel, we stand in the line of faith epitomized by the Canaanite woman in today’s Gospel. Calling to Jesus as…

Treasures of the Kingdom: Scott Hahn Reflects on the 17th Sunday What is your new life in Christ worth to you? Do you love His words more than gold and silver, as we sing in today’s Psalm? Would you, like the characters in the Gospel today, sell all that you…