Category: Prayer Service

THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST (2024) Readings: Acts of the Apostles  2:1-11 Psalms 104:1, 24, 29-31, 34 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23 Today we celebrate what is often called the ‘Church’s birthday,’ the glorious Solemnity of Pentecost.  The formal gift of the Holy Spirit brought to completion God’s eternal plan of salvation.  Worried that the disciples would… Continue reading THE SOLEMNITY OF PENTECOST (2024)

THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2023) Readings: Wisdom 6:12-16 Psalms 63:2-8 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 Matthew 25:1-13 As was indicated last week, the letter to the Thessalonians is the oldest book in the New Testament, predating even our earliest gospel of Mark.  Paul could clearly see some of the issues that affected one of the earliest Christian… Continue reading THIRTY-SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2023)

“I dreamed a dream in times gone by, when hope was high and life worth living. I dreamed that love would never die, I dreamed that God would be forgiving…. But there are dreams that cannot be, and there are storms we cannot weather…. I had a dream my life would be so different from… Continue reading A REFLECTION FOR OCTOBER 28, 2023

Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, September 17, 2023 We offer our petitions to the Father knowing that as we seek his mercy, we must also be merciful to all our neighbors.    That the Church will be a welcoming presence for all people, not judging faults or refusing mercy, recognizing that all are sinners in need… Continue reading Twenty-Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, September 17, 2023

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT (2023) Readings: Exodus 17:3-7 Psalms 95:1-2, 6-9 Romans 5:1-2, 5-8 John 4:5-15, 19-26, 39-42 We would all agree, that our metal is tested in times of difficulty.  As Exodus clearly shows, the Israelites were clearly tested by the Lord, and they did not always pass those tests with flying colors.  Indeed, sometimes they… Continue reading THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT (2023)

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2023) Readings: Sirach 1:15-20 Psalms 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 Matthew 5:17-37 Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount continues, although the gospel as presented to us appears more like a stream of consciousness than a well-defined sermon.  Indeed, it is not often that I do so, but the shorter form… Continue reading SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2023)

We come to the Father seeking His answer to our prayers confident that the Holy Spirit who came down on us at our Baptisms remains with us and guides us.     That in carrying out its mission to serve the Lord, the Church may show his glory and be a light to the nations so that… Continue reading Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, A, January 15, 2023

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (2022) Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalms 122:1-9 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44 Happy New Year! It does not feel like the end of the calendar year, when millions of people will wear funny hats and glasses, gather in public places to watch spectacular fireworks displays, and be entertained by countless celebrities and performers. Nevertheless,… Continue reading FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (2022)

TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022) Readings: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 Psalms 40:2-4, 18 Hebrews 12:1-4 Luke 12:49-53 Perhaps the prophet Jeremiah would feel very much at home in today’s world. Jeremiah is suffering on account of telling the truth, a truth he has received directly from the God who called him to be one of… Continue reading TWENTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022)

Solemnity of the MOST HOLY TRINITY (2022) Readings: Proverbs 8:22-31 Psalms 8:4-9 Romans 5:1-5 John 16:12-15 Although the Easter season ends with the great solemnity of Pentecost celebrating the gift of the Holy Spirit, there is just a little more that the liturgical life of the Church wants to teach us before we return to the… Continue reading Solemnity of the MOST HOLY TRINITY (2022)