Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
As we continue our daily walk with Jesus, our Mass readings for the 12th Week of Ordinary Time come from the book of Genesis. Genesis, the first book of the Bible, contains many of our most beloved stories of the Old Testament. This week our focus is upon Abram, later to be called Abraham.
Today's Mass Readings
As we continue our daily walk with Jesus, our Mass readings for the 12th Week of Ordinary Time come from the book of Genesis. Genesis, the first book of the Bible, contains many of our most beloved stories of the Old Testament. This week our focus is upon Abram, later to be called Abraham.
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings cause us to consider God’s place in our lives during both difficult and ordinary times. In our first reading from Job, God addresses Job out of a storm and reminds him of God’s authority over the world. In our Gospel reading, we find Jesus asleep during a storm at sea. His disciples, fearing that the storm will overcome them, wake up Jesus with a plea for help. Upon awaking, Jesus, showing that his authority is that of the Father, quiets the storm and brings about calm.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings cause us to consider God’s place in our lives during both difficult and ordinary times. In our first reading from Job, God addresses Job out of a storm and reminds him of God’s authority over the world. In our Gospel reading, we find Jesus asleep during a storm at sea. His disciples, fearing that the storm will overcome them, wake up Jesus with a plea for help. Upon awaking, Jesus, showing that his authority is that of the Father, quiets the storm and brings about calm.
Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We commonly associate the physical heart of a person with love, as in “I love you with all of my heart.” We also associate the heart with the very essence of a person, the deeper place where the most real aspect of a person resides as in, “in my heart of hearts I know…” Both of these aspects come together in this memorial, which directs our attention to Mary’s joys and sorrows, her virtues, and, above all, her love—for God, for her Son, Jesus, and for all people.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. We commonly associate the physical heart of a person with love, as in “I love you with all of my heart.” We also associate the heart with the very essence of a person, the deeper place where the most real aspect of a person resides as in, “in my heart of hearts I know…” Both of these aspects come together in this memorial, which directs our attention to Mary’s joys and sorrows, her virtues, and, above all, her love—for God, for her Son, Jesus, and for all people.
Solemnity of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
Today's Mass Readings
I grew up a Protestant, and was always a little bit freaked about by the pictures I saw in some Catholic material that showed Jesus holding his large heart, with what seemed like bolts of lightning emanating from the heart. And, when I first became Catholic, this was not a feast day toward which I immediately gravitated. Like the rosary, the Sacred Heart was one of those Catholic oddities that overwhelmed my Protestant sensibilities, because it didn’t seem quite scriptural – and well, maybe a little bit because the idea of Jesus holding his heart seemed a bit too Indiana Jones (the second movie).
Today's Mass Readings
I grew up a Protestant, and was always a little bit freaked about by the pictures I saw in some Catholic material that showed Jesus holding his large heart, with what seemed like bolts of lightning emanating from the heart. And, when I first became Catholic, this was not a feast day toward which I immediately gravitated. Like the rosary, the Sacred Heart was one of those Catholic oddities that overwhelmed my Protestant sensibilities, because it didn’t seem quite scriptural – and well, maybe a little bit because the idea of Jesus holding his heart seemed a bit too Indiana Jones (the second movie).
Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Many of us have probably had the experience of wanting the best for someone and trying to guide him or her appropriately. For those of us who are parents, we can honestly say that we DO often know what’s best for our kids, even when they seem not to believe us. Sometimes we feel like we are making progress in training or guiding others; they seem to take our words seriously and change their habits and lives accordingly.
Today's Mass Readings
Many of us have probably had the experience of wanting the best for someone and trying to guide him or her appropriately. For those of us who are parents, we can honestly say that we DO often know what’s best for our kids, even when they seem not to believe us. Sometimes we feel like we are making progress in training or guiding others; they seem to take our words seriously and change their habits and lives accordingly.
Wednesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Many years ago when I met my wife I realized she had something that I didn’t. The je ne sais quoi (I do not know what) about her intrigued me. After a long while and many discussions, I realized the quality which attracted me to her was her joyful spirit. My wife would explain over and over again that this joy was rooted in her faith. As a cynic, I attributed this joy to the fact that much of her formation in high school and college was Protestant. As time has gone on, I have realized that her joy was and is rooted in her regularly reading the scriptures. The fact is that, the deeper I dig, the more I see (and become) it as well.
Today's Mass Readings
Many years ago when I met my wife I realized she had something that I didn’t. The je ne sais quoi (I do not know what) about her intrigued me. After a long while and many discussions, I realized the quality which attracted me to her was her joyful spirit. My wife would explain over and over again that this joy was rooted in her faith. As a cynic, I attributed this joy to the fact that much of her formation in high school and college was Protestant. As time has gone on, I have realized that her joy was and is rooted in her regularly reading the scriptures. The fact is that, the deeper I dig, the more I see (and become) it as well.
Tuesday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In today's reading from the Gospel of Matthew, we find one of the most difficult of Jesus' teachings, if not the most difficult one. He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
This is not simply a command to love those we do not already love, or topray for others even if we do not consider them friends or family embers. Rather, this is a command to love and pray for those we would normally hate, those we would normally curse.
Today's Mass Readings
In today's reading from the Gospel of Matthew, we find one of the most difficult of Jesus' teachings, if not the most difficult one. He tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.
This is not simply a command to love those we do not already love, or topray for others even if we do not consider them friends or family embers. Rather, this is a command to love and pray for those we would normally hate, those we would normally curse.
Monday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings draw out the theme of salvation: “The Lord has made known his salvation,” proclaims the responsorial psalm response (Ps. 98:1). The first reading, from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians also appeals to this: “now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). We have a positive view of salvation, as indeed we should. SALVATION! It is what we dream of, what we long for, what we seek. The word itself indicates being saved, and we might think of peace, security, help in times of trouble.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings draw out the theme of salvation: “The Lord has made known his salvation,” proclaims the responsorial psalm response (Ps. 98:1). The first reading, from St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians also appeals to this: “now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2). We have a positive view of salvation, as indeed we should. SALVATION! It is what we dream of, what we long for, what we seek. The word itself indicates being saved, and we might think of peace, security, help in times of trouble.
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus. And really the focus is on presence – Divine presence among us. But just as human presence, the readings take us to the different levels of divine presence. I want to reflect on these levels of presence and invite you to deeper levels of Christ’s presence.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the feast of the Body and Blood of Jesus. And really the focus is on presence – Divine presence among us. But just as human presence, the readings take us to the different levels of divine presence. I want to reflect on these levels of presence and invite you to deeper levels of Christ’s presence.
Saturday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel reading continues the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew that we have been hearing over the past couple of days.
At first blush the injunction from Jesus, like many others throughout the sermon, seems to raise the stakes; to escalate the rule of Jewish law to an unattainable level – don’t simply make good on all of your oaths, rather don’t take any at all.
But there’s more here…
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel reading continues the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew that we have been hearing over the past couple of days.
At first blush the injunction from Jesus, like many others throughout the sermon, seems to raise the stakes; to escalate the rule of Jewish law to an unattainable level – don’t simply make good on all of your oaths, rather don’t take any at all.
But there’s more here…
Friday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Historically, people have often thought that having a disability or an illness meant that you were a sinner, or that some sort of evil had touched you. So, in some ages, the hearing loss I have would have been a sign that both my parents and I were sinful people – they, because they had a disabled child, and me because I couldn’t hear or speak quite normally. Even in today’s world, I think that we sometimes have that kind of attitude. For example, obesity is often seen evidence that a person lacks personal strength to eat the right kinds of foods, perceived as their personal shortcoming. This is the case even though we know there are some other causes for obesity and weight gain, including hormonal imbalances and side effects of certain medications.
Today's Mass Readings
Historically, people have often thought that having a disability or an illness meant that you were a sinner, or that some sort of evil had touched you. So, in some ages, the hearing loss I have would have been a sign that both my parents and I were sinful people – they, because they had a disabled child, and me because I couldn’t hear or speak quite normally. Even in today’s world, I think that we sometimes have that kind of attitude. For example, obesity is often seen evidence that a person lacks personal strength to eat the right kinds of foods, perceived as their personal shortcoming. This is the case even though we know there are some other causes for obesity and weight gain, including hormonal imbalances and side effects of certain medications.
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Barnabas, an apostle. Hence our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles provides us with a description of Barnabas. The first thing we hear about him is that he had been sent to Antioch. There he celebrated the growth of the church, and he is described as “a good man” (Acts 11:24). Barnabas is further depicted as chosen by the Holy Spirit to do specific work.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Barnabas, an apostle. Hence our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles provides us with a description of Barnabas. The first thing we hear about him is that he had been sent to Antioch. There he celebrated the growth of the church, and he is described as “a good man” (Acts 11:24). Barnabas is further depicted as chosen by the Holy Spirit to do specific work.
Wednesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The readings for today speak to us as people of the covenant and challenge us to live and teach the commandments. In St. Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth, Paul speaks from his sense that our ministry is God given. Paul draws the contrast between the ministry of death and the ministry of the Spirit. “Indeed, what was endowed with glory has come to have no glory in this respect because of the glory that surpasses it.” (2 Cor 3:6) The Mosaic Law (the original law) was glorified God through Moses. That glory shone as radiance on Moses’ face. Over time that glory faded and was overshadowed by the new covenant given to us by Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. This covenant gives life and the glory endures forever.
Today's Mass Readings
The readings for today speak to us as people of the covenant and challenge us to live and teach the commandments. In St. Paul’s letter to the people of Corinth, Paul speaks from his sense that our ministry is God given. Paul draws the contrast between the ministry of death and the ministry of the Spirit. “Indeed, what was endowed with glory has come to have no glory in this respect because of the glory that surpasses it.” (2 Cor 3:6) The Mosaic Law (the original law) was glorified God through Moses. That glory shone as radiance on Moses’ face. Over time that glory faded and was overshadowed by the new covenant given to us by Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. This covenant gives life and the glory endures forever.
Tuesday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In today's reading from the Gospel of Matthew, we find Jesus telling His disciples that they are the light of the world. As His followers, His disciples, we too are the light of the world. This is more than a calling, it is a fact. We are the light of the world. Our calling is to let our light, which is Jesus, shine before others.
Today's Mass Readings
In today's reading from the Gospel of Matthew, we find Jesus telling His disciples that they are the light of the world. As His followers, His disciples, we too are the light of the world. This is more than a calling, it is a fact. We are the light of the world. Our calling is to let our light, which is Jesus, shine before others.
Monday of the Tenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's MassReadings
This week is the 10th week in Ordinary Time; we continue to count our weeks with the Lord. We also commence St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. Paul’s letters were a way of remaining connected with communities that he had worked hard to convert to Christianity. It should come as no surprise that, like Christians today, those communities often struggled with living according to the gospel message. Today’s passage from 2 Corinthians is both inspiring and demanding. On the one hand, we read it and say, “Wow! We really find encouragement in Christ!” But on the other hand, we hear it and say, “Gosh, I’m supposed to endure suffering, including the suffering of others?” Encouragement sounds appealing, but suffering is a little more challenging.
Today's MassReadings
This week is the 10th week in Ordinary Time; we continue to count our weeks with the Lord. We also commence St. Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians. Paul’s letters were a way of remaining connected with communities that he had worked hard to convert to Christianity. It should come as no surprise that, like Christians today, those communities often struggled with living according to the gospel message. Today’s passage from 2 Corinthians is both inspiring and demanding. On the one hand, we read it and say, “Wow! We really find encouragement in Christ!” But on the other hand, we hear it and say, “Gosh, I’m supposed to endure suffering, including the suffering of others?” Encouragement sounds appealing, but suffering is a little more challenging.
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Today's Mass Readings
What does it mean to be children of God? While this is a big question that we will consider throughout our lives, today’s readings seem to ask us to take time to think about how we would each answer that question. Most importantly, today’s readings provide us with some answers and point us in the direction of others.
Today's Mass Readings
What does it mean to be children of God? While this is a big question that we will consider throughout our lives, today’s readings seem to ask us to take time to think about how we would each answer that question. Most importantly, today’s readings provide us with some answers and point us in the direction of others.
Saturday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading, we have a wonderful story of Tobit and Tobiah’s encounter with the angel Raphael. After Tobit, Sarah, and Tobiah have illustrated their holiness in multiple ways, and especially by giving generously to Raphael, the angel of God reveals himself to them, acknowledging their dedication to God. It isn’t simply their handing over money that is godly, but their whole lives, which are obviously dedicated to God. They are obviously giving people, who have given money before, as they are well-practiced in the ways of giving. Had their whole lives not been a gift to God, giving a bit of money would be much harder!
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading, we have a wonderful story of Tobit and Tobiah’s encounter with the angel Raphael. After Tobit, Sarah, and Tobiah have illustrated their holiness in multiple ways, and especially by giving generously to Raphael, the angel of God reveals himself to them, acknowledging their dedication to God. It isn’t simply their handing over money that is godly, but their whole lives, which are obviously dedicated to God. They are obviously giving people, who have given money before, as they are well-practiced in the ways of giving. Had their whole lives not been a gift to God, giving a bit of money would be much harder!
Memorial Saint Boniface, bishop and martyr
Today's Mass Readings
As with most readings for saints’ days, today’s readings help us see Saint Boniface as someone who is a witness for Jesus Christ and who points us in the right direction toward following God.
Today’s gospel reading (Mark 12:35-37) depicts Jesus as converter and apologist. As he preaches in the temple to people who might well be quite skeptical of his message, Jesus quotes from Psalm 110. The question he addresses is a question about whether the Messiah is related to David. Jesus’ answer is a bit cryptic, but one way to understand it is that Jesus wants the crowd to understand Messiah as something much different and greater than being a son of David. Being related to a king is pretty nice, but Jesus’ point is that the Messiah who comes is not simply a king. So, when Psalm 110 depicts two Lords speaking to each other, Christians have seen this as evidence that Jesus is God – not a mere human. The crowds respond to Jesus’ words “with delight” – they are convinced by Jesus and presumably change the way they live their lives because of Jesus’ words.
Today's Mass Readings
As with most readings for saints’ days, today’s readings help us see Saint Boniface as someone who is a witness for Jesus Christ and who points us in the right direction toward following God.
Today’s gospel reading (Mark 12:35-37) depicts Jesus as converter and apologist. As he preaches in the temple to people who might well be quite skeptical of his message, Jesus quotes from Psalm 110. The question he addresses is a question about whether the Messiah is related to David. Jesus’ answer is a bit cryptic, but one way to understand it is that Jesus wants the crowd to understand Messiah as something much different and greater than being a son of David. Being related to a king is pretty nice, but Jesus’ point is that the Messiah who comes is not simply a king. So, when Psalm 110 depicts two Lords speaking to each other, Christians have seen this as evidence that Jesus is God – not a mere human. The crowds respond to Jesus’ words “with delight” – they are convinced by Jesus and presumably change the way they live their lives because of Jesus’ words.
Thursday of the Ninth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Throughout this 9th week of Ordinary Time, we have been reading from the book of Tobit. An excerpt from today’s passage is often read at weddings, which makes sense given that the story is of Tobiah finding his wife Sarah. Now, unlike your typical bride-to-be, Sarah has been given in marriage seven times, only to have each man killed by the demon Asmadeus. And yet, Tobiah is not afraid to marry Sarah. Why might this be?
Today's Mass Readings
Throughout this 9th week of Ordinary Time, we have been reading from the book of Tobit. An excerpt from today’s passage is often read at weddings, which makes sense given that the story is of Tobiah finding his wife Sarah. Now, unlike your typical bride-to-be, Sarah has been given in marriage seven times, only to have each man killed by the demon Asmadeus. And yet, Tobiah is not afraid to marry Sarah. Why might this be?
Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga, martyr, and his companions, martyrs
Today's Mass Readings
In 1946 movie goers got to meet and walk in the shoes of a man named “George Bailey.” The movie was entitled, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Far from its title, the story begins by focusing on “George” and his imminent suicide. Unbeknownst to George, God is watching and decides to intervene, enter “Clarence” angel in training. Clarence teaches George that despite his desolate feelings, George’s his life has made a huge difference in the world.
Today's Mass Readings
In 1946 movie goers got to meet and walk in the shoes of a man named “George Bailey.” The movie was entitled, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Far from its title, the story begins by focusing on “George” and his imminent suicide. Unbeknownst to George, God is watching and decides to intervene, enter “Clarence” angel in training. Clarence teaches George that despite his desolate feelings, George’s his life has made a huge difference in the world.