May it be Done to Me According to Your Word”
Today's Mass Readings
The anticipation continues to build as Christmas – the birth of our savior – approaches. Today’s gospel reading tells the story of the Annunciation, one of the most beloved readings as we look forward to the nativity. This story of the Annunciation is one with which we are all familiar: the angel Gabriel appears to the Virgin Mary, greeting her as “full of grace,” and telling her about her role in bringing Jesus to earth. And, as we know, Mary responds first by asking how this could be and secondly by saying: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Today's Mass Readings
The anticipation continues to build as Christmas – the birth of our savior – approaches. Today’s gospel reading tells the story of the Annunciation, one of the most beloved readings as we look forward to the nativity. This story of the Annunciation is one with which we are all familiar: the angel Gabriel appears to the Virgin Mary, greeting her as “full of grace,” and telling her about her role in bringing Jesus to earth. And, as we know, Mary responds first by asking how this could be and secondly by saying: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Jesus is Emanuel, God with Us"
Today's Mass Readings
Scripture is filled with stories about holy men and women who serve as allegorical Christ figures, those who through their lives, preaching, prophecy, and practice point towards the fulfillment of God’s ultimate plan for salvation in Christ. As Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from Vatican II, teaches, “The principle purpose to which the plan of the old covenant was directed was to prepare for the coming of Christ…and to indicate its meaning through various ‘types’” (Dei Verbum, 15). Among these ‘types’ are the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets who can only be fully understood when read in the light of the New Testament’s testimony about Jesus Christ. As Dei Verbum states, “God, the inspirer and author of both Testaments, wisely arranged that the New Testament be hidden in the Old and the Old be manifest in the New (DV, 16).
Today's Mass Readings
Scripture is filled with stories about holy men and women who serve as allegorical Christ figures, those who through their lives, preaching, prophecy, and practice point towards the fulfillment of God’s ultimate plan for salvation in Christ. As Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from Vatican II, teaches, “The principle purpose to which the plan of the old covenant was directed was to prepare for the coming of Christ…and to indicate its meaning through various ‘types’” (Dei Verbum, 15). Among these ‘types’ are the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets who can only be fully understood when read in the light of the New Testament’s testimony about Jesus Christ. As Dei Verbum states, “God, the inspirer and author of both Testaments, wisely arranged that the New Testament be hidden in the Old and the Old be manifest in the New (DV, 16).
Emmanuel, God is with us”
Today's Mass Readings
As we approach the end of the season of Advent, we find readings that point us toward the Nativity, Jesus’ birth. In today’s first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah, we find this prophetic utterance about a future king that will come from David’s line. This is important because the Babylonian exile is an important focus and context for the book of Jeremiah. It was in the Babylonian exile that the Davidic royal line was apparently cut off, even though God promised that David’s kingdom would be an everlasting kingdom.
Today's Mass Readings
As we approach the end of the season of Advent, we find readings that point us toward the Nativity, Jesus’ birth. In today’s first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah, we find this prophetic utterance about a future king that will come from David’s line. This is important because the Babylonian exile is an important focus and context for the book of Jeremiah. It was in the Babylonian exile that the Davidic royal line was apparently cut off, even though God promised that David’s kingdom would be an everlasting kingdom.
Making sense of the genealogy of Jesus
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel passage is one that we sometimes think, “Why does this passage matter?” or “Why is this passage important to our faith?” In listening to it proclaimed, we may be inclined to drift off… thinking of other things than listening attentively to this list of names. And yet, if we do listen, we notice something important, which ties this passage together with the first reading from Genesis.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel passage is one that we sometimes think, “Why does this passage matter?” or “Why is this passage important to our faith?” In listening to it proclaimed, we may be inclined to drift off… thinking of other things than listening attentively to this list of names. And yet, if we do listen, we notice something important, which ties this passage together with the first reading from Genesis.
Are you the one who is to come"
Today's Mass Readings
Before John had been put in prison he had been preparing for the coming of the Messiah by proclaiming the words of the prophet Isaiah. Last Sunday we heard how he was proclaiming repentance in the words of the prophet Isaiah when he cried out, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Jesus’ reply to John is also taken from the prophet Isaiah. Jesus knew that John would understand, Jesus’ words. John would know by hearing the prophecy from Isaiah, that Jesus was indeed the messiah.
Today's Mass Readings
Before John had been put in prison he had been preparing for the coming of the Messiah by proclaiming the words of the prophet Isaiah. Last Sunday we heard how he was proclaiming repentance in the words of the prophet Isaiah when he cried out, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Jesus’ reply to John is also taken from the prophet Isaiah. Jesus knew that John would understand, Jesus’ words. John would know by hearing the prophecy from Isaiah, that Jesus was indeed the messiah.
Lord make us turn to you”
Today's Mass Readings
In the tradition of Jewish hope for the Messiah, the one who would come and restore God’s reign, there was an expectation that the great prophet Elijah would come back as a forerunner to the Messiah, an indication that the one who came after was indeed God’s servant who will save His people from oppression. In the first reading, we see a recitation of this expectation of Elijah’s return, “You were destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord,
to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.” And in the gospel, Jesus alludes to Elijah’s suffering such that it was clear to the disciples that he was identifying John the Baptist with Elijah. The Baptist is indeed the forerunner to Jesus, the Messiah. It is not as clear as was expected.
Today's Mass Readings
In the tradition of Jewish hope for the Messiah, the one who would come and restore God’s reign, there was an expectation that the great prophet Elijah would come back as a forerunner to the Messiah, an indication that the one who came after was indeed God’s servant who will save His people from oppression. In the first reading, we see a recitation of this expectation of Elijah’s return, “You were destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord,
to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.” And in the gospel, Jesus alludes to Elijah’s suffering such that it was clear to the disciples that he was identifying John the Baptist with Elijah. The Baptist is indeed the forerunner to Jesus, the Messiah. It is not as clear as was expected.
Jesus is Coming to Feast with Us"
Today's Mass Readings
When today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew is read within its Advent context, we can see how it pertains to the coming of Christ at Christmas, and the coming of Christ into our lives. Jesus rebukes His generation in front of a multitude of people, presumably including many of them in the rebuke.
Today's Mass Readings
When today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew is read within its Advent context, we can see how it pertains to the coming of Christ at Christmas, and the coming of Christ into our lives. Jesus rebukes His generation in front of a multitude of people, presumably including many of them in the rebuke.
Near indeed is our salvation
Today's Mass Readings
The Hebrew Scriptures foretold that Elijah would return before the Messiah, and so Jesus’ announcement that John the Baptist is Elijah is simultaneously an announcement of himself as the Messiah. John the Baptist is a prophet, like Elijah, one who has prophesied of the Messiah in the midst of violence suffered by the Kingdom of Heaven. And yet, even John, this great prophet, is not as great as the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Today's Mass Readings
The Hebrew Scriptures foretold that Elijah would return before the Messiah, and so Jesus’ announcement that John the Baptist is Elijah is simultaneously an announcement of himself as the Messiah. John the Baptist is a prophet, like Elijah, one who has prophesied of the Messiah in the midst of violence suffered by the Kingdom of Heaven. And yet, even John, this great prophet, is not as great as the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Hail Mary"
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and the New World. It is therefore only fitting that the day be celebrated with readings from the Gospel of Luke, which alone among the four Gospels records the story of the Annunciation and the great song of praise attributed to the Virgin Mary, the Magnificat.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and the New World. It is therefore only fitting that the day be celebrated with readings from the Gospel of Luke, which alone among the four Gospels records the story of the Annunciation and the great song of praise attributed to the Virgin Mary, the Magnificat.
Here is your God!"
Today's Mass Readings
The first readings during this Advent season will often deal with preparation for Jesus’ arrival, both now and at the world’s end. Today’s first reading is especially appropriate because it looks forward to the Messiah’s initial arrival. This reading, from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, tells of a voice crying out, an individual preparing the way for the Lord. We know from the New Testament that this individual, this voice, is John the Baptist. John the Baptist is the forerunner of the Messiah, of Jesus the Christ. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry through preaching about the kingdom of God, repentance and baptism.
Today's Mass Readings
The first readings during this Advent season will often deal with preparation for Jesus’ arrival, both now and at the world’s end. Today’s first reading is especially appropriate because it looks forward to the Messiah’s initial arrival. This reading, from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, tells of a voice crying out, an individual preparing the way for the Lord. We know from the New Testament that this individual, this voice, is John the Baptist. John the Baptist is the forerunner of the Messiah, of Jesus the Christ. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry through preaching about the kingdom of God, repentance and baptism.
Near indeed is our salvation
Today's Mass Readings
“Our God will come to save us!” exclaims today’s beautiful excerpt from Psalm 85. “Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.” Isaiah reflects this joyful anticipation, describing all that is to come – the blooming of flowers, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the mute speaking, the streams flowing – it is a marvelous picture indeed!
Today's Mass Readings
“Our God will come to save us!” exclaims today’s beautiful excerpt from Psalm 85. “Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.” Isaiah reflects this joyful anticipation, describing all that is to come – the blooming of flowers, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the mute speaking, the streams flowing – it is a marvelous picture indeed!
The Kingdom of God is at Hand"
Today's Mass Readings
John the Baptist, in today’s Gospel reading preached, “The Kingdom of God is at hand…” (Mt 3:1) The Kingdom of God is the heavens and the earth filled with the knowledge of the Lord. It’s the kind of life in which no one trains for war, the earth where there is no need for greed or hunger, the earth where the lion and lamb live together, the earth where the cobra and the child play; in short the kingdom where peace, love, contentment, security, justice, is at hand (Is 11:6-9).
Today's Mass Readings
John the Baptist, in today’s Gospel reading preached, “The Kingdom of God is at hand…” (Mt 3:1) The Kingdom of God is the heavens and the earth filled with the knowledge of the Lord. It’s the kind of life in which no one trains for war, the earth where there is no need for greed or hunger, the earth where the lion and lamb live together, the earth where the cobra and the child play; in short the kingdom where peace, love, contentment, security, justice, is at hand (Is 11:6-9).
Hail, Full of Grace! The Lord is with You”
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day of celebration for the Church throughout the world and especially for the parish of the Immaculate Conception!
Both the solemnity itself and the readings which the Church has selected for it, push us to meditate seriously on the reality of sin. That Mary was conceived without sin may at first seem a bit distant from the heart of the of the Church’s teaching about Jesus. However, the Church has always associated this teaching very closely with how it understands Jesus – it was part of God’s eternal plan that Mary become the mother of Jesus, and in so doing become the mother of God. Yet, as it is with our Lord and His plans, Mary had to give her “yes,” her acceptance to God’s plans. We have her words to Gabriel in St. Luke’s Gospel, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, a day of celebration for the Church throughout the world and especially for the parish of the Immaculate Conception!
Both the solemnity itself and the readings which the Church has selected for it, push us to meditate seriously on the reality of sin. That Mary was conceived without sin may at first seem a bit distant from the heart of the of the Church’s teaching about Jesus. However, the Church has always associated this teaching very closely with how it understands Jesus – it was part of God’s eternal plan that Mary become the mother of Jesus, and in so doing become the mother of God. Yet, as it is with our Lord and His plans, Mary had to give her “yes,” her acceptance to God’s plans. We have her words to Gabriel in St. Luke’s Gospel, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
And their Eyes were Opened"
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s reading from the Gospel, we see Jesus enacting in His very actions what was prophesied of the Messiah in the Old Testament. Indeed, we even find Jesus identified with the Messianic title, “Son of David.”
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s reading from the Gospel, we see Jesus enacting in His very actions what was prophesied of the Messiah in the Old Testament. Indeed, we even find Jesus identified with the Messianic title, “Son of David.”
Builidng our house on "The Rock
Today's Mass Readings
Despite the fact that we do it all the time, it is the nature of our modern society to be uncomfortable about seeming to exclude others. Today’s readings then present a difficulty for us. In the first passage, the song from Isaiah describes a city of protection, with walls and ramparts, and gates that open up to let in a nation that is just (Is 26:1-2). This implies that other nations are excluded, and, the passage describes, the Lord tumbles the lofty city and lets the poor trample it. The gospel passage also reflects exclusion. Jesus says to his disciples, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my father in heaven” (Mt 7:21).
Today's Mass Readings
Despite the fact that we do it all the time, it is the nature of our modern society to be uncomfortable about seeming to exclude others. Today’s readings then present a difficulty for us. In the first passage, the song from Isaiah describes a city of protection, with walls and ramparts, and gates that open up to let in a nation that is just (Is 26:1-2). This implies that other nations are excluded, and, the passage describes, the Lord tumbles the lofty city and lets the poor trample it. The gospel passage also reflects exclusion. Jesus says to his disciples, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my father in heaven” (Mt 7:21).
Remade in the Image and Likeness of God"
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from Isaiah we join the prophet on the mountain of the Lord, Zion, which in biblical literature serves as a symbol of the heavenly Jerusalem and of God’s holy reign. Isaiah 25, from which today’s reading is taken, falls within a section of the prophetic book called the “Apocalypse of Isaiah,” an oracle about the “Day of the Lord.” Writing before the coming of the Messiah, Isaiah prophesizes about this symbolic “day,” the future Messianic period when God will come to restore righteousness and justice to the earth. Interestingly, we are told that on this day, upon this holy mountain, God will provide his people with “a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.” Thus the Lord’s desire to nourish and support his people is directly linked to his concern for satisfying their hunger and their thirst for justice and salvation.
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from Isaiah we join the prophet on the mountain of the Lord, Zion, which in biblical literature serves as a symbol of the heavenly Jerusalem and of God’s holy reign. Isaiah 25, from which today’s reading is taken, falls within a section of the prophetic book called the “Apocalypse of Isaiah,” an oracle about the “Day of the Lord.” Writing before the coming of the Messiah, Isaiah prophesizes about this symbolic “day,” the future Messianic period when God will come to restore righteousness and justice to the earth. Interestingly, we are told that on this day, upon this holy mountain, God will provide his people with “a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.” Thus the Lord’s desire to nourish and support his people is directly linked to his concern for satisfying their hunger and their thirst for justice and salvation.
“Blessed are the Eyes that See what You See"
Today's Mass Readings
The first reading for today is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. In it Isaiah foretells what will happen when the Messiah arrives. Mention is made of a “stump” and a “root” of Jesse. Jesse was King David’s father, and so this highlights the Davidic lineage of the Messiah. The Messiah would be a stump or root from Jesse, because he would be a son of David. The passage also speaks about a future ingathering of the Gentiles, where Gentiles and Jews would be united in their worship of the one true God.
Today's Mass Readings
The first reading for today is taken from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. In it Isaiah foretells what will happen when the Messiah arrives. Mention is made of a “stump” and a “root” of Jesse. Jesse was King David’s father, and so this highlights the Davidic lineage of the Messiah. The Messiah would be a stump or root from Jesse, because he would be a son of David. The passage also speaks about a future ingathering of the Gentiles, where Gentiles and Jews would be united in their worship of the one true God.
Beginning the Advent Journey"
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings speak of anticipation – the anticipation so characteristic of this season of Advent. We are waiting, waiting, waiting… and for what? Isaiah speaks of both the calamity that will befall many, but also, in today’s passage, of the salvation that awaits those who remain faithful. For the holy of Zion, there will be over them “A smoking cloud by day and a light of flaming fire by night. For over all, the LORD’s glory will be shelter and protection: shade from the parching heat of day, refuge and cover from storm and rain.” This echoes the Exodus imagery of the time when the Hebrew people were fleeing from their slavery in Egypt. The smoking cloud, the flaming pillar was the sign of God’s presence with the people. It was the shelter and protection given to the people. For what are we waiting, then? Isaiah tells us we are waiting for this special presence of God among us.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings speak of anticipation – the anticipation so characteristic of this season of Advent. We are waiting, waiting, waiting… and for what? Isaiah speaks of both the calamity that will befall many, but also, in today’s passage, of the salvation that awaits those who remain faithful. For the holy of Zion, there will be over them “A smoking cloud by day and a light of flaming fire by night. For over all, the LORD’s glory will be shelter and protection: shade from the parching heat of day, refuge and cover from storm and rain.” This echoes the Exodus imagery of the time when the Hebrew people were fleeing from their slavery in Egypt. The smoking cloud, the flaming pillar was the sign of God’s presence with the people. It was the shelter and protection given to the people. For what are we waiting, then? Isaiah tells us we are waiting for this special presence of God among us.
The Vision of God"
Sunday Mass Reading
We all dream dreams. We dream our children will have better futures. We dream of the new house we will have. Young people dream of their careers. What would it be to have no dreams?
Sunday Mass Reading
We all dream dreams. We dream our children will have better futures. We dream of the new house we will have. Young people dream of their careers. What would it be to have no dreams?
Apocalypse and God's Kingdom"
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.”
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.”