4th Sunday of Advent Mi 5:2-5a, Heb 10:5-10, Lk 1:39-45 Dear sisters and brothers, This year we have five days after the last Sunday of Advent in which to recall and meditate on what Christmas is all about. The Mass Readings this Sunday outline what is happening. From Bethlehem shall come forth [...]
Third Sunday of Advent Zephaniah 3:14-18a, Philippians 4:4-7, Luke 3:10-18 Dear sisters and brothers, How wonderful are the readings in this time of Advent! These readings speak to us of God’s love for us and God’s compassion and delight in His people. It can be very difficult to remain unmoved by the [...]
Second Sunday of Advent Baruch 5:1-9, Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11, Luke 3:1-6 Dear sisters and brothers, Receiving Christ with Joy A newly ordained priest was sent to work as an assistant to an older priest. The young priest went to the older priest for some orientation and advice. “What should I preach about?” [...]
First Sunday of Advent Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2, Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 Dear Brothers & Sisters, God Himself has promised us salvation. God Himself promises to watch over us and to be with us. God never promises us that everything will be wonderful and that we will have everything that we want. Instead, [...]
Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Daniel 12:1-3, Hebrews 10:11-14, 18, Mark 13:24-32 Dear sisters and brothers, Here we are at the end of this Church Year once again. Next Sunday is Christ the King and then we enter into Advent. Today the readings direct our attention to the end of time. We [...]
32nd Sunday in Ordinary time 1 Kings 17:10-16, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 Dear sisters and brothers, Jesus expects us to trust Him completely. Many of us are not quite so sure that we can trust Him, even though we want to trust Him. The widow in the first reading shows us how [...]
31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Deut 6: 2-6, Hebrews 7: 23-28, Mark 12: 28b-34 Dear sisters and brothers, The Old Testament contains a series of images and promises which are fulfilled in the mystery of Jesus. The old covenant given through Moses to the Jews is to be kept by observing the commandments. Their reward [...]
30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jeremiah 31:7-9, Hebrews 5:1-6, Mark 10:46-52 Dear sisters and brothers, Shout with joy today because the Lord has delivered His people! Every day we can shout and sing with joy because we are delivered and made free. Many of us do not experience that freedom very deeply or [...]
Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 53:4, 10-11, Hebrews 4:14-16, Mark 10:35-45 Dear sisters and brothers, Jesus shows us the way to give glory to the Father: become the servant of all and give our lives for others. Are we willing to do that? The first reading today is from the [...]
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Wis 7:7-11, Heb: 4:12-13, Mark: 10:17-30 or 10:17-27 Dear sisters and brothers, When I studied with Catholic Theological Union’s young adult program, Catholics on Call, I was often struck by the many choices that young people face today. They are confronted with options involving education, profession, lifestyle, marriage, [...]