Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
We make all kinds of choices. Some are pretty insignificant choices, like where do we go for dinner today- to Applebees or to The Pine Club. And while I’m there should I get a steak or the grilled fish. Some choices are more significant than that- like which job to finally choose of the many offers that I get or which school do I send my children to. There are even more important choices- like who do I marry or why my marriage should end or should I try the priesthood or choices that affect my children’s future. Whether big or small, it perhaps would not be an exaggeration to say that almost at every point of our life we are confronted with choices.
Today's Mass Readings
We make all kinds of choices. Some are pretty insignificant choices, like where do we go for dinner today- to Applebees or to The Pine Club. And while I’m there should I get a steak or the grilled fish. Some choices are more significant than that- like which job to finally choose of the many offers that I get or which school do I send my children to. There are even more important choices- like who do I marry or why my marriage should end or should I try the priesthood or choices that affect my children’s future. Whether big or small, it perhaps would not be an exaggeration to say that almost at every point of our life we are confronted with choices.
Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today's Mass Readings
Our sensibilities from reading and hearing the gospel stories are conditioned to think of the Pharisees only as hypocrites and show offs. This conception, however, misses some of the force of Jesus’ critique of these folk. They were not such easy targets. On the whole, they were considered the most pious Jews of their day, admired for there adherence to the law and their dedication to God. Nevertheless, their conflicts with Jesus centered around their overly legalistic adherence to the law.
Today's Mass Readings
Our sensibilities from reading and hearing the gospel stories are conditioned to think of the Pharisees only as hypocrites and show offs. This conception, however, misses some of the force of Jesus’ critique of these folk. They were not such easy targets. On the whole, they were considered the most pious Jews of their day, admired for there adherence to the law and their dedication to God. Nevertheless, their conflicts with Jesus centered around their overly legalistic adherence to the law.
Friday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time/Memorial of Saint Pius X, pope
Today's Mass Readings
My students like to think that church and all that “religion stuff” doesn’t have much of an effect on their “real lives”. Sure, they go to mass on Sunday for an hour but the rest of the week, they don’t need it. They are in the midst of a culture war – video games and hanging out with friends are far more enticing than going to Mass. Indeed, lots of Catholics like to think that all this church stuff doesn’t really affect me and my life as a Christian (not really).
Today's Mass Readings
My students like to think that church and all that “religion stuff” doesn’t have much of an effect on their “real lives”. Sure, they go to mass on Sunday for an hour but the rest of the week, they don’t need it. They are in the midst of a culture war – video games and hanging out with friends are far more enticing than going to Mass. Indeed, lots of Catholics like to think that all this church stuff doesn’t really affect me and my life as a Christian (not really).
Thursday of the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Feast of St Bernard, Abbot and Doctor
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the feast of St. Bernard and I thought I would propose an extract from his writings as a reflection for today. Bernard writes in Sermo 83, 4-6:
Love is sufficient of itself, it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in its practice. I love because I love, I love that I may love. Love is a great thing so long as it continually returns to its fountainhead, flows back to its source, always drawing from there the water which constantly replenishes it. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return; the sole purpose of his love is to be loved, in the knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the feast of St. Bernard and I thought I would propose an extract from his writings as a reflection for today. Bernard writes in Sermo 83, 4-6:
Love is sufficient of itself, it gives pleasure by itself and because of itself. It is its own merit, its own reward. Love looks for no cause outside itself, no effect beyond itself. Its profit lies in its practice. I love because I love, I love that I may love. Love is a great thing so long as it continually returns to its fountainhead, flows back to its source, always drawing from there the water which constantly replenishes it. Of all the movements, sensations and feelings of the soul, love is the only one in which the creature can respond to the Creator and make some sort of similar return however unequal though it be. For when God loves, all he desires is to be loved in return; the sole purpose of his love is to be loved, in the knowledge that those who love him are made happy by their love of him.
Wednesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something which is not meant to be understood literally. This is definitely true with the readings for this day. In the first reading from Judges we hear a parable which alludes to the people of God as wanting a king. In today’s gospel we hear the parable of the landowner who system of paying employees is far from what we might call capitalism.
Today's Mass Readings
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something which is not meant to be understood literally. This is definitely true with the readings for this day. In the first reading from Judges we hear a parable which alludes to the people of God as wanting a king. In today’s gospel we hear the parable of the landowner who system of paying employees is far from what we might call capitalism.
Tuesday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The primary focus of our society is the accumulation of wealth. Virtually everything revolves around the mechanisms for wealth generation and growth. For our society, a flat or declining gross domestic product is cause for fear and alarm and it is simply unacceptable. The state of the economy fills our media and is frequently cited as the primary issue that we consider when we decide to vote. Of course the economy as a whole is merely a reflection of its parts, which is each of us and the decisions that we make. For most in this country, the primary focus of their life is working to accumulate wealth that is far in excess of what is required to fill their basic needs. In a society that tends to value individuals on their ability to produce, people are drawn to dedicating their lives to the acquisition of wealth as a means of validating themselves by the standards that have been set. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus, in no uncertain terms, warns us that the cost of placing material wealth before God is one that we might feel for eternity.
Today's Mass Readings
The primary focus of our society is the accumulation of wealth. Virtually everything revolves around the mechanisms for wealth generation and growth. For our society, a flat or declining gross domestic product is cause for fear and alarm and it is simply unacceptable. The state of the economy fills our media and is frequently cited as the primary issue that we consider when we decide to vote. Of course the economy as a whole is merely a reflection of its parts, which is each of us and the decisions that we make. For most in this country, the primary focus of their life is working to accumulate wealth that is far in excess of what is required to fill their basic needs. In a society that tends to value individuals on their ability to produce, people are drawn to dedicating their lives to the acquisition of wealth as a means of validating themselves by the standards that have been set. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus, in no uncertain terms, warns us that the cost of placing material wealth before God is one that we might feel for eternity.
Monday of the Twentieth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
One of the themes found in today’s readings is that of peace, God’s peace. This is most clearly seen today’s responsorial psalm, Psalm 85, where we read that the Lord proclaims peace “to his people, and to his faithful ones, and to those who put in him their hope.” And again, “justice and peace shall kiss.” The antiphon itself pertains to peace: “The Lord speaks of peace to his people.”
Today's Mass Readings
One of the themes found in today’s readings is that of peace, God’s peace. This is most clearly seen today’s responsorial psalm, Psalm 85, where we read that the Lord proclaims peace “to his people, and to his faithful ones, and to those who put in him their hope.” And again, “justice and peace shall kiss.” The antiphon itself pertains to peace: “The Lord speaks of peace to his people.”
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today we examine the history of the controversy of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The controversy as old as the gospels themselves. The crowds quarrelled, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (Jn 6:52) Jesus’ answer to that question stresses two things: First, “The bread that I will give is my flesh,” (Jn 6:51) and second, “My (his) flesh is real food and my (his) blood is real drink” (Jn 6: 55). And the controversy continues today. In a survey done, only 30% of the Catholics believed that the bread and wine they received at Eucharist was indeed the body and blood of Jesus. I bet you the 70% who do not believe do not read the scriptures and have certainly not read the John’s bread of life discourse.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we examine the history of the controversy of the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. The controversy as old as the gospels themselves. The crowds quarrelled, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” (Jn 6:52) Jesus’ answer to that question stresses two things: First, “The bread that I will give is my flesh,” (Jn 6:51) and second, “My (his) flesh is real food and my (his) blood is real drink” (Jn 6: 55). And the controversy continues today. In a survey done, only 30% of the Catholics believed that the bread and wine they received at Eucharist was indeed the body and blood of Jesus. I bet you the 70% who do not believe do not read the scriptures and have certainly not read the John’s bread of life discourse.
Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Mass during the Day
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today’s feast and readings ask us to reflect upon the mystery of our bodies and our hope for resurrection in Christ.
It is very interesting, and indeed deeply significant, that the dogma of the assumption of Mary was infallibly proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in 1950. It remains the third of three such proclamations by any pope (the other two being the Immaculate Conception and papal infallibility itself). So this is a significant teaching. But why? Why did Pius declare this dogma at this time? The Assumption has been believed by many throughout the history of the Church; it’s certainly not a new teaching. It is indeed central to the faith, but one can surely think of more central teachings, the Creation and the Holy Trinity come to mind.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today’s feast and readings ask us to reflect upon the mystery of our bodies and our hope for resurrection in Christ.
It is very interesting, and indeed deeply significant, that the dogma of the assumption of Mary was infallibly proclaimed by Pope Pius XII in 1950. It remains the third of three such proclamations by any pope (the other two being the Immaculate Conception and papal infallibility itself). So this is a significant teaching. But why? Why did Pius declare this dogma at this time? The Assumption has been believed by many throughout the history of the Church; it’s certainly not a new teaching. It is indeed central to the faith, but one can surely think of more central teachings, the Creation and the Holy Trinity come to mind.
Memorial of Saint Maximilian Mary Kolbe, priest and martyr
Today's Mass Readings
We have spent much of the last two months or so reading from the Torah, the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). But yesterday and today, we have jumped to the first of the historical books in the Old Testament. Today’s Old Testament reading (Joshua 24:1-13) is situated after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and entered the land God promised them way back in the Book of Exodus. The concern Joshua is addressing in this passage is that some of the people have continued to hold on to the “old gods” they had back in Egypt, and he is exhorting them to give up those old gods, for all they need is the one true God.
Today's Mass Readings
We have spent much of the last two months or so reading from the Torah, the first five books of the Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy). But yesterday and today, we have jumped to the first of the historical books in the Old Testament. Today’s Old Testament reading (Joshua 24:1-13) is situated after the Israelites crossed the Jordan River and entered the land God promised them way back in the Book of Exodus. The concern Joshua is addressing in this passage is that some of the people have continued to hold on to the “old gods” they had back in Egypt, and he is exhorting them to give up those old gods, for all they need is the one true God.
Thursday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
We have been following the journey of the Hebrew people under the leadership of Moses throughout these last several weeks. Today, our attention shifts to the next hero of the people, namely, Joshua. Our first reading for today comes from the book of Joshua. It is Joshua, not Moses, who leads the Hebrew people to the promised land.
Today's Mass Readings
We have been following the journey of the Hebrew people under the leadership of Moses throughout these last several weeks. Today, our attention shifts to the next hero of the people, namely, Joshua. Our first reading for today comes from the book of Joshua. It is Joshua, not Moses, who leads the Hebrew people to the promised land.
Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
God’s ways are not our ways, however that does not mean that there is no deeper plan being carried out. In today’s first reading we a get view of the end of Moses life in the closing chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy. We have traveled with Children of Israel from Egypt to Promised Land. God’s promise to Moses and Israel is now fulfilled and indeed Moses gets a complete glimpse of the whole of the Promised Land. It is a foretaste which Moses will not enjoy himself as this view is his last. In many ways Moses worked his whole life for this moment and God gives Him some closure by allowing him to see it.
Today's Mass Readings
God’s ways are not our ways, however that does not mean that there is no deeper plan being carried out. In today’s first reading we a get view of the end of Moses life in the closing chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy. We have traveled with Children of Israel from Egypt to Promised Land. God’s promise to Moses and Israel is now fulfilled and indeed Moses gets a complete glimpse of the whole of the Promised Land. It is a foretaste which Moses will not enjoy himself as this view is his last. In many ways Moses worked his whole life for this moment and God gives Him some closure by allowing him to see it.
Tuesday of the Ninetheenth week in Ordinary Time/Memorial of Saint Clare, virgin
Today's Mass Readings
The theme of humility runs through each of today’s readings. This theme provides an opportunity for reflection on the virtue of humility and its opposing vice, which is pride. We have likely all experienced the difficulty in determining the boundaries between the virtue of humility and the vice of pride. More subtly, we all may have experienced the difficulty in determining whether our desire to nurture our humility has turned into a false humility that is used to rationalize our failure to use the gifts that God has given us. Similarly, when we use those gifts to their full extent, we may experience some guilt when we question whether we deserve the return that we have derived from those gifts. Today’s readings cause us to notice that there is a tension involving humility, pride, false humility and giving our best effort to honor God. At times the boundaries between these concepts are difficult to discern, but to discern the boundaries, we must first have a solid understanding of the core concepts.
Today's Mass Readings
The theme of humility runs through each of today’s readings. This theme provides an opportunity for reflection on the virtue of humility and its opposing vice, which is pride. We have likely all experienced the difficulty in determining the boundaries between the virtue of humility and the vice of pride. More subtly, we all may have experienced the difficulty in determining whether our desire to nurture our humility has turned into a false humility that is used to rationalize our failure to use the gifts that God has given us. Similarly, when we use those gifts to their full extent, we may experience some guilt when we question whether we deserve the return that we have derived from those gifts. Today’s readings cause us to notice that there is a tension involving humility, pride, false humility and giving our best effort to honor God. At times the boundaries between these concepts are difficult to discern, but to discern the boundaries, we must first have a solid understanding of the core concepts.
Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr
Today's Mass Readings
It is not mere coincidence that there are grill restaurants all over the country named for St. Lawrence. This saint was grilled to death. Legend has it that when one side of him had been thoroughly cooked, he told his executioners they should flip him over on the gridiron. While this is the stuff of legends, it is known that Lawrence, a deacon of the Church, was martyred during the persecution of Valerian in 258. Today’s readings are chosen specifically for his feast.
Today's Mass Readings
It is not mere coincidence that there are grill restaurants all over the country named for St. Lawrence. This saint was grilled to death. Legend has it that when one side of him had been thoroughly cooked, he told his executioners they should flip him over on the gridiron. While this is the stuff of legends, it is known that Lawrence, a deacon of the Church, was martyred during the persecution of Valerian in 258. Today’s readings are chosen specifically for his feast.
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The passage that we have as the gospel reading for today’s Eucharist is part of a larger section called the “bread of life” discourse in the gospel of John. The discourse begins with John 6:25 and ends with 6:71.
Today's Mass Readings
The passage that we have as the gospel reading for today’s Eucharist is part of a larger section called the “bread of life” discourse in the gospel of John. The discourse begins with John 6:25 and ends with 6:71.
Memorial of Saint Dominic, priest
Today's Mass Reading
In the last month or so, we have reflected on the origin and history of the people of Israel beginning with Abraham in the book of Genesis to the development of organized religion in the book Leviticus and Numbers. Today we reach the last book in this five book series – the book of Deuteronomy. The five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) together is called the “Pentateuch.” The book of Deuteronomy (meaning “second law”) is different from the other four books and contains important lessons for us.
Today's Mass Reading
In the last month or so, we have reflected on the origin and history of the people of Israel beginning with Abraham in the book of Genesis to the development of organized religion in the book Leviticus and Numbers. Today we reach the last book in this five book series – the book of Deuteronomy. The five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) together is called the “Pentateuch.” The book of Deuteronomy (meaning “second law”) is different from the other four books and contains important lessons for us.
Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
When my sister managed to get into a liberal arts college complete with a full scholarship, I was cheering her on with all my might. Her victory was so much sweeter because she had not done well in high school, to the point that some of her guidance counselors recommended she not go to college at all. In fact, she didn’t immediately make it to that liberal arts college once she (barely) graduated from high school. But she wanted to go – she had aspirations (like becoming a lawyer and providing legal advice for disadvantaged people) that required college to fulfill them.
Today's Mass Readings
When my sister managed to get into a liberal arts college complete with a full scholarship, I was cheering her on with all my might. Her victory was so much sweeter because she had not done well in high school, to the point that some of her guidance counselors recommended she not go to college at all. In fact, she didn’t immediately make it to that liberal arts college once she (barely) graduated from high school. But she wanted to go – she had aspirations (like becoming a lawyer and providing legal advice for disadvantaged people) that required college to fulfill them.
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate an important feast, namely, the Transfiguration of the Lord. “Transfiguration” refers first and foremost to the event described in today’s gospel passage from Mark, but it is foreshadowed in the first reading from Daniel. Daniel describes visions referring to God. Our knowledge of Jesus in the New Testament enables us to look back at this Old Testament passage and read it Christologically. In other words, we understand the Daniel passage as referring to Jesus. And indeed, when we read the passage from Mark, there are similarities. In Mark Jesus ascended a mountain with Peter, James, and John and became transfigured before their eyes, then joined by Elijah and Moses. We can only imagine the wonder and awe of the three apostles as they saw this amazing sight. Although they certainly knew that this transfigured person was still their friend and teacher Jesus, it was Jesus as they had never experienced him. They knew Jesus had extraordinary healing powers, extraordinary wisdom, and extraordinary compassion, but they had never seen his glory shining forth in this dramatic way.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate an important feast, namely, the Transfiguration of the Lord. “Transfiguration” refers first and foremost to the event described in today’s gospel passage from Mark, but it is foreshadowed in the first reading from Daniel. Daniel describes visions referring to God. Our knowledge of Jesus in the New Testament enables us to look back at this Old Testament passage and read it Christologically. In other words, we understand the Daniel passage as referring to Jesus. And indeed, when we read the passage from Mark, there are similarities. In Mark Jesus ascended a mountain with Peter, James, and John and became transfigured before their eyes, then joined by Elijah and Moses. We can only imagine the wonder and awe of the three apostles as they saw this amazing sight. Although they certainly knew that this transfigured person was still their friend and teacher Jesus, it was Jesus as they had never experienced him. They knew Jesus had extraordinary healing powers, extraordinary wisdom, and extraordinary compassion, but they had never seen his glory shining forth in this dramatic way.
Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Wow! Today’s scripture from the Old Testament is almost jaw dropping in its harshness. Clearly, God has worked hard to get the slaves freed. He has feed them in the desert and now gotten the Israelites to the Promised Land. The scouts have come back from the Promised Land and have described what they have found mostly from a negative point of view. This discouraging report spreads like a poison throughout all of the children of Israel. It challenged and undermined God’s promise of liberation throughout the community. We still see this today, as negative energy can consume a family, an office, a church or any organization when left unchecked. God’s response to the negativity seems like tough love. God responds to the challenge and negative belief by delivering suffering; For every day the scouts spent in the Promised Land, the Lord repays their pessimistic response with one year wandering in the desert for a total of forty years.
Today's Mass Readings
Wow! Today’s scripture from the Old Testament is almost jaw dropping in its harshness. Clearly, God has worked hard to get the slaves freed. He has feed them in the desert and now gotten the Israelites to the Promised Land. The scouts have come back from the Promised Land and have described what they have found mostly from a negative point of view. This discouraging report spreads like a poison throughout all of the children of Israel. It challenged and undermined God’s promise of liberation throughout the community. We still see this today, as negative energy can consume a family, an office, a church or any organization when left unchecked. God’s response to the negativity seems like tough love. God responds to the challenge and negative belief by delivering suffering; For every day the scouts spent in the Promised Land, the Lord repays their pessimistic response with one year wandering in the desert for a total of forty years.
Memorial of Saint John Mary Vianney, priest
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings remind us that the emotional reaction that is often described when people encounter God is one of anxiety or fear. While this reaction might be ironic, it is so pervasive that Jesus repeatedly instructs his disciples not to fear. (e.g., Mt 14:27, Mt 28:10, Lk 24:36) Our readings provide an opportunity to think about the source of this anxiety and how it might be addressed. We might also consider whether the context in which fear arises plays a part in how God asks us to respond to it.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings remind us that the emotional reaction that is often described when people encounter God is one of anxiety or fear. While this reaction might be ironic, it is so pervasive that Jesus repeatedly instructs his disciples not to fear. (e.g., Mt 14:27, Mt 28:10, Lk 24:36) Our readings provide an opportunity to think about the source of this anxiety and how it might be addressed. We might also consider whether the context in which fear arises plays a part in how God asks us to respond to it.