"Do You Beleive This?
Sunday Mass Readings
Jesus asked Martha “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn 11: 25-26)She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world” (Jn 11:27). This is not the first time you heard this statement during this lent. Let us go two Sundays back. The Samaritan woman at the well after her conversation with Jesus said the same thing. She had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. (Jn 4: 1-42). In last Sunday’s Gospel, the blind man who was cured, after his confrontation with the Pharisees is asked by Jesus, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (Jn 9: 35). The blind man said, “Yes Lord I believe,” and he worshipped him (Jn 9:36).
Sunday Mass Readings
Jesus asked Martha “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn 11: 25-26)She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who is coming into the world” (Jn 11:27). This is not the first time you heard this statement during this lent. Let us go two Sundays back. The Samaritan woman at the well after her conversation with Jesus said the same thing. She had come to believe that Jesus was the Messiah. (Jn 4: 1-42). In last Sunday’s Gospel, the blind man who was cured, after his confrontation with the Pharisees is asked by Jesus, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” (Jn 9: 35). The blind man said, “Yes Lord I believe,” and he worshipped him (Jn 9:36).
Expecting Someone?"
Today's Mass Readings
There is an interesting interplay in today’s readings on the relationship between God’s power and human power.
In the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, we hear the emphasis on God as the one who knows all, “I knew their plot because the LORD informed me; at that time you, O LORD, showed me their doings” (Jer 11:18). All knowledge comes from God, yet of course as did Jeremiah, we don’t realize what God is telling us. We also see in this reading that God, God alone, is the bearer of vengeance, “Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause!” (Jer 11:20). Striking is Jeremiah’s desire for vengeance, but he knows that he has not the power to carry it out himself; that is God’s alone.
Today's Mass Readings
There is an interesting interplay in today’s readings on the relationship between God’s power and human power.
In the first reading from the prophet Jeremiah, we hear the emphasis on God as the one who knows all, “I knew their plot because the LORD informed me; at that time you, O LORD, showed me their doings” (Jer 11:18). All knowledge comes from God, yet of course as did Jeremiah, we don’t realize what God is telling us. We also see in this reading that God, God alone, is the bearer of vengeance, “Let me witness the vengeance you take on them, for to you I have entrusted my cause!” (Jer 11:20). Striking is Jeremiah’s desire for vengeance, but he knows that he has not the power to carry it out himself; that is God’s alone.
Better to be Brokenhearted than Wicked"
Today's Mass Readings
Today's is the Friday of the fourth week of Lent, and the first reading today from the Wisdom of Solomon is appropriate for it looks forward to Good Friday, only two weeks away. This reading from the Book of Wisdom, is not found in most Protestant Old Testaments, but it is the only Old Testament passage that mentions the precise phrase "son of God," which the New Testament will use so often to describe Jesus. It is also one of the clearest Old Testament passages that relate to Jesus.
Today's Mass Readings
Today's is the Friday of the fourth week of Lent, and the first reading today from the Wisdom of Solomon is appropriate for it looks forward to Good Friday, only two weeks away. This reading from the Book of Wisdom, is not found in most Protestant Old Testaments, but it is the only Old Testament passage that mentions the precise phrase "son of God," which the New Testament will use so often to describe Jesus. It is also one of the clearest Old Testament passages that relate to Jesus.
The Mystery of the Holy Trinity"
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s Gospel Jesus’ discusses his relationship with God the Father. While both Scripture and Tradition proclaim the divinity of Jesus, the New Testament writers and the early Fathers of the Church were not always in agreement as to the precise meaning of Jesus’ divinity and lordship. Most Christians are surprised when they learn that it took nearly 300 years for the Church to finally arrive at a precise definition of Christ’s divinity.
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s Gospel Jesus’ discusses his relationship with God the Father. While both Scripture and Tradition proclaim the divinity of Jesus, the New Testament writers and the early Fathers of the Church were not always in agreement as to the precise meaning of Jesus’ divinity and lordship. Most Christians are surprised when they learn that it took nearly 300 years for the Church to finally arrive at a precise definition of Christ’s divinity.
Let Your Life Bear Testimony"
Today's Mass Readings
It seems to be a part of the fallen human condition that we constantly seek other things or people to take the place of God. This is manifested in the first reading from Exodus in such an explicit way: the people make an idol and worship it as the God of Israel. It is no wonder that God is described as angry… after rescuing his people from Egypt, these same people return the favor by worshiping an idol! Moses’ petition on their behalf saves them.
Today's Mass Readings
It seems to be a part of the fallen human condition that we constantly seek other things or people to take the place of God. This is manifested in the first reading from Exodus in such an explicit way: the people make an idol and worship it as the God of Israel. It is no wonder that God is described as angry… after rescuing his people from Egypt, these same people return the favor by worshiping an idol! Moses’ petition on their behalf saves them.
Jesus' Waters of Life"
Today's Mass Readings
One of the debates we encounter throughout John's Gospel, for example in today's reading and in this past Sunday's reading, is the issue of what constitutes work on the Sabbath. In the case of these readings, the question revolves around healing. Can one heal on the Sabbath? Jesus' answer would clearly be yes, one can heal on the Sabbath. But there is far more than simply the first century Jewish debate about what constitutes working on the Sabbath at issue here in today's Gospel text.
Today's Mass Readings
One of the debates we encounter throughout John's Gospel, for example in today's reading and in this past Sunday's reading, is the issue of what constitutes work on the Sabbath. In the case of these readings, the question revolves around healing. Can one heal on the Sabbath? Jesus' answer would clearly be yes, one can heal on the Sabbath. But there is far more than simply the first century Jewish debate about what constitutes working on the Sabbath at issue here in today's Gospel text.
You Have Rescued Me, Lord"
Today's Mass Readings
We are about half-way done with Lent. In the next few weeks, our readings focus less on the penitential aspects and more on preparation for Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection, which will redeem us. Today's response in the psalm summarizes this turn in theme: "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me" (Ps. 30:2a). The beautiful first reading from Isaiah speaks of the "new creation," and of God rejoicing in his people. Sadness and tragedy will be gone, replaced by exultation in this new creation.
Today's Mass Readings
We are about half-way done with Lent. In the next few weeks, our readings focus less on the penitential aspects and more on preparation for Jesus' passion, death, and resurrection, which will redeem us. Today's response in the psalm summarizes this turn in theme: "I will praise you, Lord, for you have rescued me" (Ps. 30:2a). The beautiful first reading from Isaiah speaks of the "new creation," and of God rejoicing in his people. Sadness and tragedy will be gone, replaced by exultation in this new creation.
Light and Darkness"
Today's Mass Readings
The incident that John narrates is not a simple account of healing. It is an account of people who are physically in darkness and yet they see, and the account of those who are physically in the light but really are in darkness. There are those who are naturally blind and there are those who have turned away from the light. The blind man comes to Jesus to have his sight restored. But apart from his sight, it is his faith, it is his life that is restored in a slow process.
Today's Mass Readings
The incident that John narrates is not a simple account of healing. It is an account of people who are physically in darkness and yet they see, and the account of those who are physically in the light but really are in darkness. There are those who are naturally blind and there are those who have turned away from the light. The blind man comes to Jesus to have his sight restored. But apart from his sight, it is his faith, it is his life that is restored in a slow process.
A Contrite Spirit"
Today's Mass Readings
The great Catholic fiction writer, Flannery O’Connor wrote a short story entitled “Revelation” in which the main character, Mrs. Turpin, is a Southern white farmer who is basically a nice lady. She’s social, keeps up a nice appearance, and is well-respected. Yet, by way of the narrator, we get a glimpse into Mrs. Turpin’s head and at one point we see her reflecting:
“If it’s one thing I am… it’s grateful. When I think of all I could’ve been besides myself and what all I got, a little of everything, and a good disposition besides, I just feel like shouting, ‘Thank you, Jesus, for making everything the way that it is! It could’ve been different’”
Today's Mass Readings
The great Catholic fiction writer, Flannery O’Connor wrote a short story entitled “Revelation” in which the main character, Mrs. Turpin, is a Southern white farmer who is basically a nice lady. She’s social, keeps up a nice appearance, and is well-respected. Yet, by way of the narrator, we get a glimpse into Mrs. Turpin’s head and at one point we see her reflecting:
“If it’s one thing I am… it’s grateful. When I think of all I could’ve been besides myself and what all I got, a little of everything, and a good disposition besides, I just feel like shouting, ‘Thank you, Jesus, for making everything the way that it is! It could’ve been different’”
The Love of God and the Love of Neighbor"
Today's Mass Readings
In a moving scene from the movie "Romero," Fr. Rotilio Grande asks the question, "how can I love God, Who I do not see, if I do not love my brother who I do see?" This is a rephrasing of that famous line from the First Letter of St. John, which reads: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen" (4:20). In a sense, this captures the essence of today's readings.
Today's Mass Readings
In a moving scene from the movie "Romero," Fr. Rotilio Grande asks the question, "how can I love God, Who I do not see, if I do not love my brother who I do see?" This is a rephrasing of that famous line from the First Letter of St. John, which reads: "If anyone says, 'I love God,' but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen" (4:20). In a sense, this captures the essence of today's readings.
Harden Not Your Hearts"
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s scripture readings pose a challenge to us by presenting a choice or warning. The powerful passage from Jeremiah the prophet describes how the people of Israel have failed in following the LORD their God. “They walked in the hardness of their hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me” (Jer. 7:24b). And they did this after all that God had done for them, saving them from Egypt so they could be God’s people.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s scripture readings pose a challenge to us by presenting a choice or warning. The powerful passage from Jeremiah the prophet describes how the people of Israel have failed in following the LORD their God. “They walked in the hardness of their hearts and turned their backs, not their faces, to me” (Jer. 7:24b). And they did this after all that God had done for them, saving them from Egypt so they could be God’s people.
The City of God
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings are a firm reminder that the nation most pleasing to God is the just nation. In addition to the Ancient Jews, we hear echoes of this understanding of the relationship between justice and God in the ancient Greek philosophers, particularly in the Republic of Plato. However, in the Christian context it is St. Augustine (354 – 430 AD) who formally systematizes the notion that the just nation is the one which offers proper worship to the Lord. Augustine’s most famous work on the topic is the City of God.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings are a firm reminder that the nation most pleasing to God is the just nation. In addition to the Ancient Jews, we hear echoes of this understanding of the relationship between justice and God in the ancient Greek philosophers, particularly in the Republic of Plato. However, in the Christian context it is St. Augustine (354 – 430 AD) who formally systematizes the notion that the just nation is the one which offers proper worship to the Lord. Augustine’s most famous work on the topic is the City of God.
Learn How to Extend Mercy to Others"
Today's Mass Readings
Today's first reading from the Book of Daniel is a powerful reading. Unfortunately, it is not in most Protestant Old Testaments, since it is one of the deuterocanonical portions of the Old Testament (Judith, Tobit, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch, First and Second Maccabees, and portions of Esther and Daniel) that most Protestant communities do not include in their Bibles. It was included in the Bibles used by the earliest Christians and the apostles, the Septuagint Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. We know this because the overwhelming majority of Old Testament citations in the New Testament are from the Septuagint. This prayer from the Book of Daniel has inspired theologians and artists throughout over two millennia.
Today's Mass Readings
Today's first reading from the Book of Daniel is a powerful reading. Unfortunately, it is not in most Protestant Old Testaments, since it is one of the deuterocanonical portions of the Old Testament (Judith, Tobit, Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach, Baruch, First and Second Maccabees, and portions of Esther and Daniel) that most Protestant communities do not include in their Bibles. It was included in the Bibles used by the earliest Christians and the apostles, the Septuagint Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. We know this because the overwhelming majority of Old Testament citations in the New Testament are from the Septuagint. This prayer from the Book of Daniel has inspired theologians and artists throughout over two millennia.
Universality of Jesus"
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s scripture readings are a beautiful demonstration of the benefit of reading the Old Testament together with the New Testament. Jesus’ comments in the gospel reading show how familiar he was with the Hebrew Scriptures. Moreover, today’s passages show us that the Old Testament should be read in light of Christ. What exactly is Jesus’ message today?
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s scripture readings are a beautiful demonstration of the benefit of reading the Old Testament together with the New Testament. Jesus’ comments in the gospel reading show how familiar he was with the Hebrew Scriptures. Moreover, today’s passages show us that the Old Testament should be read in light of Christ. What exactly is Jesus’ message today?
"Desires"
Today's Mass Readings
The story of the Samaritan woman in today's gospel readings is not the story of a woman who lives two thousand years ago. It is your story and mine. Who among does not desire acceptance. Who among us does not desire love? Who among us does not desire comfort? Who among us does not desire companionship? Who among us does not desire freedom from anxiety? All of us have desires and desires are God’s gift to us. Its what we do with them that is what is important.
Today's Mass Readings
The story of the Samaritan woman in today's gospel readings is not the story of a woman who lives two thousand years ago. It is your story and mine. Who among does not desire acceptance. Who among us does not desire love? Who among us does not desire comfort? Who among us does not desire companionship? Who among us does not desire freedom from anxiety? All of us have desires and desires are God’s gift to us. Its what we do with them that is what is important.
A Lavish God
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel might initially wash over us as the story we’ve heard many, many times of the “Prodigal Son” who lavishly spends his inheritance on pleasures and is left tending the swine and desiring their food. He then returns to his father to beg for mercy.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel might initially wash over us as the story we’ve heard many, many times of the “Prodigal Son” who lavishly spends his inheritance on pleasures and is left tending the swine and desiring their food. He then returns to his father to beg for mercy.
Who Do We Say Jesus Is?"
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the Friday of the second week in Lent, but it is also the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle, and the readings for today go along with that feast. The focus of the first reading and responsorial psalm is on shepherding. The responsorial psalm is a particularly striking one, Psalm 23, which is often read at both Christian and Jewish funerals to this day. The Lord is our shepherd, and He is the model shepherd. St. Peter, and all of the popes, are particularly called to model their role as shepherds after the Lord, the true shepherd of all.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the Friday of the second week in Lent, but it is also the Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter the Apostle, and the readings for today go along with that feast. The focus of the first reading and responsorial psalm is on shepherding. The responsorial psalm is a particularly striking one, Psalm 23, which is often read at both Christian and Jewish funerals to this day. The Lord is our shepherd, and He is the model shepherd. St. Peter, and all of the popes, are particularly called to model their role as shepherds after the Lord, the true shepherd of all.
Blessed are they who hope in the Lord
Today's Mass Readings
“Blessed are they who hope in the Lord” (Ps. 40:5a) is today’s psalm response. The first reading from Jeremiah picks up on this theme of hope in a dramatic comparison between a barren desert bush and a tree planted beside waters. While the former never changes in its barrenness, the latter never changes in its fruitfulness. Those who hope in God are “always green,” always full of life, regardless of the circumstances.
Today's Mass Readings
“Blessed are they who hope in the Lord” (Ps. 40:5a) is today’s psalm response. The first reading from Jeremiah picks up on this theme of hope in a dramatic comparison between a barren desert bush and a tree planted beside waters. While the former never changes in its barrenness, the latter never changes in its fruitfulness. Those who hope in God are “always green,” always full of life, regardless of the circumstances.
"The Dangerous Life of the Prophet"
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings teach that the life of the prophet is deadly. Indeed, of the many recurring themes found in the Old Testament, the one which links prophecy with certain death is among the most prevalent; most of the prophets of Ancient Israel were persecuted and killed by their own people. The Second Vatican Council teaches that as disciples of Jesus, each of us is called to share in Christ’s threefold ministry as priest, prophet and king (cf. Lumen Gentium). It therefore goes without saying that as prophets each of us is also called to lay down our lives in prophetic witness to the Gospel. Yet, from the relative comfort of Middle America, the prospect of dying for our faith seems remote. How then may we relate today’s readings to the particulars of our contemporary Christian situation? I’d like to suggest three practical ways in which today’s readings are relevant to the current Middle American context.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings teach that the life of the prophet is deadly. Indeed, of the many recurring themes found in the Old Testament, the one which links prophecy with certain death is among the most prevalent; most of the prophets of Ancient Israel were persecuted and killed by their own people. The Second Vatican Council teaches that as disciples of Jesus, each of us is called to share in Christ’s threefold ministry as priest, prophet and king (cf. Lumen Gentium). It therefore goes without saying that as prophets each of us is also called to lay down our lives in prophetic witness to the Gospel. Yet, from the relative comfort of Middle America, the prospect of dying for our faith seems remote. How then may we relate today’s readings to the particulars of our contemporary Christian situation? I’d like to suggest three practical ways in which today’s readings are relevant to the current Middle American context.
"God Casts Away Our Sins"
Today's Mass Readings
The first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah is a powerful reading. I would recommend setting aside some time to day to meditate over it, especially 1:16-19. Of all the Old Testament Prophets, Isaiah has some of the most moving passages concerning the forgiveness of sins and God's mercy.
Today's Mass Readings
The first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah is a powerful reading. I would recommend setting aside some time to day to meditate over it, especially 1:16-19. Of all the Old Testament Prophets, Isaiah has some of the most moving passages concerning the forgiveness of sins and God's mercy.