Category: Reflections

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (2022) Readings: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18 Psalms 27:1, 7-9, 13-14 Philippians 3:17-4:1 Luke 9:28-36 When, in our first reading from Genesis, the Lord God took Abram outside he saw the night sky as he had never seen it before. Not that there were overly large cities, unprotected by ‘night-sky’ ordinances, whose bright… Continue reading SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (2022)

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (2022) Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Psalms 91:1-2, 10-15 Romans 10:8-13 Luke 4:1-13 The actual “forty days” of Lent does not begin to be tallied until Monday of this week, so anything you have given up or promised to do since ashes were placed on your head can be considered extra (i.e., suitable… Continue reading FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (2022)

EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022) Readings: Sirach 27:4-7 Psalms 92:2-3,13-16 1 Corinthians 15:54-58 Luke 6:39-45 It is difficult to read the rather strong words of our first reading and our gospel reading, without reading them in light of the disturbing attacks presently happening in Ukraine. Indeed, the last few years, both in the realm… Continue reading EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022)

POPE FRANCIS OFFERS ADVICE THAT ALL SHOULD HEED On Thursday, February 17, 2022, Pope Francis spoke to a conference of priests exploring the foundations of the priesthood, a conference organized by the Congregation of Bishops.    If there was a theme to the Pope’s message it would be that of “closeness,” closeness to God, to fellow… Continue reading POPE FRANCIS OFFERS ADVICE THAT ALL SHOULD HEED

SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022) Readings: 1 Samual 26:2, 7-9,12-14, 22-23 Psalms 103:1-13 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 Luke 6:27-38 If we think of things that are impossibly hard, climbing Mount Everest or landing on the moon might come to mind, but not loving. Indeed, it is hard to imagine that there is any living person… Continue reading SEVENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022)

SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022) Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-8 Psalms 1:1-4, 6 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 Luke 6:17, 20-26 What truly makes you happy? Think, for a moment, of the variety of answers such a question might prompt - my dog makes me happy, my car makes me happy, good wine makes me happy, my children make… Continue reading SIXTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022)

FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022) Readings:Isaiah 6:1-8Psalms 138:1-5, 7-81 Corinthians 15:1-11Luke 5:1-11Every time we have the privilege of celebrating the Eucharist we are reminded several times, lest we forget, of our own sinfulness. It is not an attempt to beat us up liturgically, but rather it is an attempt to remind us of one… Continue reading FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022)

FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022) Readings:Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19Psalms 71:1-6, 15-171 Corinthians 12:31-13:13Luke 4:21-30 There is always some separation anxiety when a child moves out of the home to attend college. There are no guarantees that the child doesn’t reserve the right to move back in for as long as he or she wants, but most… Continue reading FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022)

THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2022) Readings:Nehemiah 8:2-6, 10Psalms 19:8-10, 151 Corinthians 12:12-30Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 It is difficult for us to appreciate the passions involved in our first reading from the Book of Nehemiah. Ezra, the priest, and Nehemiah, the governor of Judah, are extraordinarily important people for the “Restoration” of the Israelites in the period… Continue reading 022)

SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2021) Readings:Isaiah 62:1-5Psalms 96:1-3, 7-101 Corinthians 12:4-11John 2:1-12 We are ushered into our first Sunday outside of the Christmas season by Mary, the Mother of God, who played such a prominent role in the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke during the Christmas season. The words said by Mary in… Continue reading SECOND SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (2021)