Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Advent is a season of hopeful and joyful anticipation. We might fast, we might take on certain spiritual exercises, but the attitude is different than during Lent. Advent is not a penitential season as such, rather such practices are in joyful expectation of the coming of our Lord at Christmas.
Today's Mass Readings
Advent is a season of hopeful and joyful anticipation. We might fast, we might take on certain spiritual exercises, but the attitude is different than during Lent. Advent is not a penitential season as such, rather such practices are in joyful expectation of the coming of our Lord at Christmas.
Monday of the First Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Yesterday we began our Advent journey in joyful anticipation of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our first readings will be from the book of the prophet Isaiah for these first two weeks of Advent. The book of the prophet Isaiah, of course, belongs to the Old Testament. It was written many, many years before the Incarnation of Jesus and his birth into the humble town of Bethlehem. And yet much of Isaiah is a prophesy precisely about Jesus, the sign of God-with-us, the embodiment of God’s love for his people.
Today's Mass Readings
Yesterday we began our Advent journey in joyful anticipation of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our first readings will be from the book of the prophet Isaiah for these first two weeks of Advent. The book of the prophet Isaiah, of course, belongs to the Old Testament. It was written many, many years before the Incarnation of Jesus and his birth into the humble town of Bethlehem. And yet much of Isaiah is a prophesy precisely about Jesus, the sign of God-with-us, the embodiment of God’s love for his people.
First Sunday of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Today we begin a very special time in the life of the Church – the season of Advent. This is also the beginning of a new liturgical year. The readings during this season remind us of God’s saving works on our behalf and remind us of our own role as the people of God.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we begin a very special time in the life of the Church – the season of Advent. This is also the beginning of a new liturgical year. The readings during this season remind us of God’s saving works on our behalf and remind us of our own role as the people of God.
Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Appropriately, on this final day of the liturgical year, we have reflections about the apocalypse, or the second coming of Jesus. “Apocalypse” in Greek literally means “revelation” or “pulling back the veil” (Hence the title of the last book of the Bible). We generally talk about “revelation” as the way that God makes Himself known to us – in Scripture and preeminently in Jesus Himself.
Today's Mass Readings
Appropriately, on this final day of the liturgical year, we have reflections about the apocalypse, or the second coming of Jesus. “Apocalypse” in Greek literally means “revelation” or “pulling back the veil” (Hence the title of the last book of the Bible). We generally talk about “revelation” as the way that God makes Himself known to us – in Scripture and preeminently in Jesus Himself.
Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In these last days of the liturgical year, the tone of our readings continues to rise to one of urgency. Both the first reading today from Revelation and the gospel passage from Luke convey this atmosphere of fear, judgment, and destruction. And yet both also convey redemption and salvation through Jesus the Lamb. This is the hopeful message in the midst of what might otherwise be simply utterly frightening passages in regard to the end times.
Today's Mass Readings
In these last days of the liturgical year, the tone of our readings continues to rise to one of urgency. Both the first reading today from Revelation and the gospel passage from Luke convey this atmosphere of fear, judgment, and destruction. And yet both also convey redemption and salvation through Jesus the Lamb. This is the hopeful message in the midst of what might otherwise be simply utterly frightening passages in regard to the end times.
Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
We are winding down another year in the Christian calendar. Our Christian new year begins Sunday with the first day of Advent, the time when we await Christ’s coming. Thinking of Advent as the “New Year” may seem a bit odd to us who are more familiar with doing a countdown and opening bottles of champagne at midnight. In my family, we have a special meal at the New Year, each food symbolically representing the kind of year we hope to have: corn for wealth, new potatoes for new endeavors, etc. Many of us write probably also write resolutions at the end of December, hoping that the next year will be a “new” year in the sense that we will become “new people” who will lose weight, go to the gym more, be more generous, and the like.
Today's Mass Readings
We are winding down another year in the Christian calendar. Our Christian new year begins Sunday with the first day of Advent, the time when we await Christ’s coming. Thinking of Advent as the “New Year” may seem a bit odd to us who are more familiar with doing a countdown and opening bottles of champagne at midnight. In my family, we have a special meal at the New Year, each food symbolically representing the kind of year we hope to have: corn for wealth, new potatoes for new endeavors, etc. Many of us write probably also write resolutions at the end of December, hoping that the next year will be a “new” year in the sense that we will become “new people” who will lose weight, go to the gym more, be more generous, and the like.
Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today speak of persecution and fear, yet the overwhelming theme is one of triumph. The battle is won and the beast has been conquered. The scene described by the visionary is one of complete awe. The vision describes a song: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty.” (Rev. 15:3) As the song continues it asks, “Who will not fear you, Lord or glorify your name?” (Rev. 15:4) The word fear can also be translated awe. Either way, it is a question we need to answer for ourselves?
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today speak of persecution and fear, yet the overwhelming theme is one of triumph. The battle is won and the beast has been conquered. The scene described by the visionary is one of complete awe. The vision describes a song: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty.” (Rev. 15:3) As the song continues it asks, “Who will not fear you, Lord or glorify your name?” (Rev. 15:4) The word fear can also be translated awe. Either way, it is a question we need to answer for ourselves?
Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the last Tuesday in Ordinary Time. Next Sunday marks the beginning of the new liturgical year. I'm sure many of us have a number of concerns regardless of our state in life. In today's Gospel reading from the Gospel of St. Luke, we find Jesus' predicting the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred in 70 A.D. For many Jews of the time, it was as if their world was being destroyed. To this very day, people at the remaining western wall of the Temple in Jerusalem can be heard literally wailing over the Temple's destruction.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the last Tuesday in Ordinary Time. Next Sunday marks the beginning of the new liturgical year. I'm sure many of us have a number of concerns regardless of our state in life. In today's Gospel reading from the Gospel of St. Luke, we find Jesus' predicting the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred in 70 A.D. For many Jews of the time, it was as if their world was being destroyed. To this very day, people at the remaining western wall of the Temple in Jerusalem can be heard literally wailing over the Temple's destruction.
Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac
Today's Mass Readings
Just yesterday we celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King. Today’s readings lead us to reflect on how we all fit into this kingdom as the communion of saints, saved by Jesus the lamb and called to worship him in all we do. In our first reading from the Book of Revelation, we hear John’s description of all those saved by Jesus. The number 144,000 indicates a vast number of people; these people sing hymns of praise and follow the lamb wherever he goes. John describes them as “unblemished,” just as the Lamb has also been described as unblemished.
Today's Mass Readings
Just yesterday we celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King. Today’s readings lead us to reflect on how we all fit into this kingdom as the communion of saints, saved by Jesus the lamb and called to worship him in all we do. In our first reading from the Book of Revelation, we hear John’s description of all those saved by Jesus. The number 144,000 indicates a vast number of people; these people sing hymns of praise and follow the lamb wherever he goes. John describes them as “unblemished,” just as the Lamb has also been described as unblemished.
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. There is nothing about today’s readings that makes us associate God with kingship, authority and power especially in the way we understand kingship, authority and power. In fact in the first reading God seems to be the anti-thesis of the kings of Israel.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. There is nothing about today’s readings that makes us associate God with kingship, authority and power especially in the way we understand kingship, authority and power. In fact in the first reading God seems to be the anti-thesis of the kings of Israel.
Memorial of Saint Cecilia
Today's Mass Readings
Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus interacting with representatives from some of the various schools of Judaism of His day (of course, we must remember that Jesus was a Jew who observed the requirements of the Jewish Law). Since Jesus was known as a rabbi (or teacher), it would have been customary for him to debate the interpretation of the law with other Jewish leaders. Not surprisingly, these debates often included attempts to undercut and outsmart the other, especially if the authority of opposing party was suspect.
Today's Mass Readings
Throughout the gospels, we see Jesus interacting with representatives from some of the various schools of Judaism of His day (of course, we must remember that Jesus was a Jew who observed the requirements of the Jewish Law). Since Jesus was known as a rabbi (or teacher), it would have been customary for him to debate the interpretation of the law with other Jewish leaders. Not surprisingly, these debates often included attempts to undercut and outsmart the other, especially if the authority of opposing party was suspect.
Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the memorial feast day of the presentation of the Virgin Mary in the temple, a feast that dates at least to the sixth century. According to tradition, Mary was brought to the temple by her parents Anna and Joachim at the age of three. Some suggest that Mary likely learned to read scripture through her association with the temple, and as a result, she knew a lot about the prophecies of a Messiah that would come for the people of Israel. This makes Mary’s later “Yes” to God at the time when she conceived Jesus all the more significant, because she is even more aware than most of what it means that the Messiah is to be born.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the memorial feast day of the presentation of the Virgin Mary in the temple, a feast that dates at least to the sixth century. According to tradition, Mary was brought to the temple by her parents Anna and Joachim at the age of three. Some suggest that Mary likely learned to read scripture through her association with the temple, and as a result, she knew a lot about the prophecies of a Messiah that would come for the people of Israel. This makes Mary’s later “Yes” to God at the time when she conceived Jesus all the more significant, because she is even more aware than most of what it means that the Messiah is to be born.
Thursday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In both today’s first reading and today’s gospel, our passages open with weeping. The gospel passage from Luke describes Jesus’ reaction to seeing the city of Jerusalem. It is clearly a city that Jesus loves, and filled with people for whom Jesus has great compassion. Here Jesus seems to be prophesying about the destruction of Jerusalem which was to come forty years after his own crucifixion. Notice that Jesus does not in any way delight over the impending destruction of the city that failed to recognize him as their Messiah. Rather, he weeps, the most human sign of sorrow.
Today's Mass Readings
In both today’s first reading and today’s gospel, our passages open with weeping. The gospel passage from Luke describes Jesus’ reaction to seeing the city of Jerusalem. It is clearly a city that Jesus loves, and filled with people for whom Jesus has great compassion. Here Jesus seems to be prophesying about the destruction of Jerusalem which was to come forty years after his own crucifixion. Notice that Jesus does not in any way delight over the impending destruction of the city that failed to recognize him as their Messiah. Rather, he weeps, the most human sign of sorrow.
Wednesday of Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
As the liturgical year comes to an end, the readings push us toward an eschatological view of the world. This is important, not that the end of the World is imminent, yet the end of days, especially personally is part of the cycle of life. The first reading today continues in the book of Revelation. John was called upon by a voice from heaven and given a vision. The imagery of this vision describes the scene in a trumpet like voice. In vivid detail the picture portrayed is one where an angel takes the visionary through a large door into heaven. The scene that unfolds is one of the heavenly court and all its attendants.
Today's Mass Readings
As the liturgical year comes to an end, the readings push us toward an eschatological view of the world. This is important, not that the end of the World is imminent, yet the end of days, especially personally is part of the cycle of life. The first reading today continues in the book of Revelation. John was called upon by a voice from heaven and given a vision. The imagery of this vision describes the scene in a trumpet like voice. In vivid detail the picture portrayed is one where an angel takes the visionary through a large door into heaven. The scene that unfolds is one of the heavenly court and all its attendants.
Tuesday of the Thirty-third Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today's first reading from the Book of Revelation is appropriate since we are approaching the end of the liturgical year. Yesterday, we heard John's message to the Church at Ephesus. In today's first reading, we encounter John writing to Christians in Sardis and Laodicia on behalf Jesus. He stands at the door and knocks, if they open the door He will enter and dine with them.
Today's Mass Readings
Today's first reading from the Book of Revelation is appropriate since we are approaching the end of the liturgical year. Yesterday, we heard John's message to the Church at Ephesus. In today's first reading, we encounter John writing to Christians in Sardis and Laodicia on behalf Jesus. He stands at the door and knocks, if they open the door He will enter and dine with them.
Memorial of Saint Elizabeth of Hungary
Today's Mass Readings
Today we commemorate a saint who made great sacrifices in order to dedicate her life to the service of Christ. Elizabeth was a queen, married at age 14 and widowed by age 21 with three children. During her reign as a queen she spent much of her time assisting the poor, and following her husband’s death, she made formal vows to religious life and renounced her wealth. Elizabeth is honored in Germany and Hungary for her dedication to those in need. What could have motivated such a privileged woman to live her life in this way? Today’s Scripture readings provide some answer to this question; St. Elizabeth was motivated by the gospel message of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to give glory to God in her life.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we commemorate a saint who made great sacrifices in order to dedicate her life to the service of Christ. Elizabeth was a queen, married at age 14 and widowed by age 21 with three children. During her reign as a queen she spent much of her time assisting the poor, and following her husband’s death, she made formal vows to religious life and renounced her wealth. Elizabeth is honored in Germany and Hungary for her dedication to those in need. What could have motivated such a privileged woman to live her life in this way? Today’s Scripture readings provide some answer to this question; St. Elizabeth was motivated by the gospel message of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to give glory to God in her life.
Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today gospel reading is about the parable of the talents and how God rewards the ones who fruitfully ttraded with the talents. There are many questions that emerge and many answer we must seek. I am proposing that we understand this parable as being about life itself.
Today's Mass Readings
Today gospel reading is about the parable of the talents and how God rewards the ones who fruitfully ttraded with the talents. There are many questions that emerge and many answer we must seek. I am proposing that we understand this parable as being about life itself.
Saturday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s gospel, Jesus gives us a rather odd parable to illustrate the necessity that his disciples pray constantly. There are two important aspects of it, however, that perhaps we might miss on a first read, both of which are common features of Jesus’ parables in general and both of which help us to understand the story a bit better.
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s gospel, Jesus gives us a rather odd parable to illustrate the necessity that his disciples pray constantly. There are two important aspects of it, however, that perhaps we might miss on a first read, both of which are common features of Jesus’ parables in general and both of which help us to understand the story a bit better.
Friday of the Thirty-second Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
When I was about twelve years old, I remember that my sister and I really, really wanted a Nintendo set, the large console type that hooked up to the tv. It was the newest, coolest thing going at the time. So we worked hard to earn money to buy the Nintendo set, and when we bought it, we were quite pleased with ourselves. Of course, a year later when the new newest thing, the Nintendo Gameboy emerged on the scene, people saw it as even more awesome than the Nintendo set. The Nintendo set that my sister and I had worked so hard to earn was now “uncool” and a thing of the past – in only a year! It was the first of many times that I have been confronted with the fact that “progress”, especially in technology, has an expensive dark side.
Today's Mass Readings
When I was about twelve years old, I remember that my sister and I really, really wanted a Nintendo set, the large console type that hooked up to the tv. It was the newest, coolest thing going at the time. So we worked hard to earn money to buy the Nintendo set, and when we bought it, we were quite pleased with ourselves. Of course, a year later when the new newest thing, the Nintendo Gameboy emerged on the scene, people saw it as even more awesome than the Nintendo set. The Nintendo set that my sister and I had worked so hard to earn was now “uncool” and a thing of the past – in only a year! It was the first of many times that I have been confronted with the fact that “progress”, especially in technology, has an expensive dark side.
Memorial of Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel passage from Luke is an interesting one that directs our attention toward the end of the liturgical year. It is only a few weeks until Advent begins, and a new Catholic liturgical year begins with it. In the reading for today, Jesus is asked by the Pharisees about the timing of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ answer is not very satisfying for the Pharisees. Nor is it completely clear to us who read it today. Jesus seems to be redirecting their attention from their concern, and we might interpret his comment that the “Kingdom of God is among you” (Lk 17:21) as meaning either that He is the kingdom or that his followers are the kingdom or that the kingdom lives in each one of them if they choose to embrace it. Each of these three interpretations has its own history within the tradition of the Church.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel passage from Luke is an interesting one that directs our attention toward the end of the liturgical year. It is only a few weeks until Advent begins, and a new Catholic liturgical year begins with it. In the reading for today, Jesus is asked by the Pharisees about the timing of the Kingdom of God. Jesus’ answer is not very satisfying for the Pharisees. Nor is it completely clear to us who read it today. Jesus seems to be redirecting their attention from their concern, and we might interpret his comment that the “Kingdom of God is among you” (Lk 17:21) as meaning either that He is the kingdom or that his followers are the kingdom or that the kingdom lives in each one of them if they choose to embrace it. Each of these three interpretations has its own history within the tradition of the Church.