Reflections

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2026)

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2026) Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13 Psalms 146:6-10 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Matthew 5:1-12 There should be no Christian who is unfamiliar with the Beatitudes.  Indeed, spiritual writers agree that the Beatitudes are not only the most profound revelation of the mystery of God but also a complete treatise on spiritual life.  They show what we… Continue reading FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2026)

Reflections

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2026)

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2026) Readings: Isaiah 8:23-9:3 Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 Isaiah is no stranger to the first-reading place, and his purpose today has less to do with geography, and more to do with our stunning awareness of his skill of being a prophet.  Eight centuries before Christ… Continue reading THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2026)

Reflections

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2026)

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2026) Readings: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Psalms 40:2, 4, 7-10 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34 We seamlessly slide into the Ordinary time of year, with Isaiah once again leading the way in our first reading, and another gospel view (from John) of Jesus’ baptism by John.  If there is a mood… Continue reading SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2026)

Reflections

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY (2025)

FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY (2025) Readings: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Psalms 128:1-5 Colossians 3:12-21 Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 At first glance, the goal of being like the Holy Family of Nazareth might appear to be far beyond our reach.  Truth be told, it truly is impossible for us to attain with our more modest levels of sanctity,… Continue reading FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY (2025)

Reflections



THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - GAUDETE SUNDAY (2025) THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT - GAUDETE SUNDAY (2025) Readings: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 Psalms 146:6-10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 The Entrance Antiphon for today’s liturgy, along with the worn twice yearly stole, sets the tone for today’s ‘Gaudete’ liturgy: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.  Indeed,… Continue reading 

Reflections

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (2025)

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (2025) Readings: Isaiah 2:1-5 Psalms 122:1-9 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44 Today the Church begins a new liturgical year.  It likewise begins our preparation for the great solemnity of Christmas, when we celebrate God’s Son ‘emptying’ Himself that He might take on the flesh of human beings and so lead us to our… Continue reading FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (2025)

Reflections

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING (2025)

SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING (2025) Readings: 2 Samuel 5:1-3 Psalms 122:1-5 Colossians 1:12-20 Luke 23:35-43 We come to the end of a liturgical year which shares with us the portrait of a King that eight million people do not have to protest.  Indeed, today’s solemnity reminds us of the only King that truly matters, and… Continue reading SOLEMNITY OF CHRIST THE KING (2025)

Reflections

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2025)

THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2025) Readings Malachi 3:19-20 Psalms 98:5-9 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19 As the Church’s liturgical year winds down the readings turn our attention to the “end times,” the time of our Lord’s second coming.  In two week’s time the Church will begin the great season of Advent, and the themes of… Continue reading THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2025)

Reflections

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2025)

TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2025) Readings: Exodus 17:8-13 Psalms 121:1-8 2 Timothy 3:14-4:2 Luke 18:1-8 Like the Israelites in our first reading, and the widow in today’s Gospel, we face opposition and injustice—at times from godless and pitiless adversaries.  We, too, must lift our eyes to the mountains—to Calvary and the God who will… Continue reading TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2025)