Category: Reflections

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2019) Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-8 Psalms 1:1-4, 6 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 Luke 6:17, 20-26 Someone once asked St. Teresa of Calcutta, "Why do you spend so much energy on the poor, the hungry, and the weeping of Calcutta?" Mother Teresa responded, “Jesus says the poor are the blessed ones. I… Continue reading SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2019)

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2019) Readings: Isaiah 6:1-2a, 3-8 Psalm 138:1-5, 7-8 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 Luke 5:1-11 The cast of supporting actors in today’s liturgical presentation all have something in common. Isaiah, Paul, and Simon Peter, all have a clear understanding that they are unworthy of any privileged contact with the divine. Indeed, their… Continue reading FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2019)

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2019) Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13 Luke 4:21-30 Being a prophet was no easy task. You worked for no pay with few retirement options, your boss was omnipresent, the job was never finished, and you frequently ruffled the feathers of many who, at best, didn’t like you, and… Continue reading FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2019)

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2019)   Nehemiah 8:2-6, 10 Psalms 19:8-10, 15 1 Corinthians 12:12-30 Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21 While no one is interested in a strict history lesson in the context of the Eucharist, there are moments when a grasp of history helps us to understand what is being proclaimed from the ambo in… Continue reading The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2019) Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 96:1-3, 7-10 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 John 2:1-12 Johnny Carson, the king of late night television for some thirty years, was interviewing an eight-year-old boy who had rescued two friends from a coal mine outside his hometown in West Virginia. As Johnny questioned him, it became apparent… Continue reading SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2019)

THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (2019) Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10 Acts 10:34-38 Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Today the Church brings the Christmas season to an end with a celebration of Jesus’ baptism. It is a moment for us to reflect on the beginning of Jesus’ pubic ministry, and a moment for us to… Continue reading THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD (2019)

SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (2019) Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 One of my earliest Christmas memories is of my father going to the local corner store shortly before Christmas and returning with a small gift for each of us children. The unexpected gift was three… Continue reading SOLEMNITY OF THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD (2019)

THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH (2018) Readings Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Psalm 128:1-2, 3, 4-5 Colossians 3:12-17 Luke 2:41-52 This Sunday within the octave of Christmas celebrates the holiest of families, the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. It is a moment for us to reflect on the virtues… Continue reading THE FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY, AND JOSEPH (2018)

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (2018) Readings: Micah 5:1-4 Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 Hebrews 5:5-10 Luke 1:39-45 The joy of last Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, overflows into this Fourth Sunday of Advent in the persons of Mary and Elizabeth. In spite of being “with child,” Mary hastily travels to be with her cousin who, in spite of… Continue reading FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (2018)

THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (2018)   Readings:   Zephaniah 3:14-18a Psalm 12:2-6 Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:10-18 A hallmark of Christian life is joy, and this Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, is all about joy. The introit for today’s Mass sets the tone: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord… Continue reading The Third Sunday of Advent