Jer 17:5-81 Cor 15:12, 16-20Lk 6:17, 20-26 Trust in God Both the first and second readings remind us that it is foolish to place our trust in anyone or anything but God. “Thus says the LORD: Cursed is the one who trusts in human beings, who seeks his strength in flesh, whose heart turns away…

Isaiah 6:1-2A, 3-81 Corinthians 15:1-11Luke 5:1-11 Responding to the Call The words of scripture remind us of our own personal call for a change of heart (metanoia) and our response to follow our call to discipleship. Paul states clearly in the second reading that, “I am reminding you, brothers and sisters, of the gospel I…

Jer 1:4-5, 17-191 Cor 12: 31-13:13Lk 4:21-30 Be Prophets Begin your reflection today by filling in your name in the opening words of the first reading from Jeremiah. “The word of the LORD came to me (your name), saying: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I dedicated…

Neh 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-101 Cor 12:12-30Lk 1:1-4, 4:14-21 Inclusivity Paul begins the second reading for this Sunday with words that are critical for the society we live in today. “Brothers and sisters: As a body is one though it has many parts, and all the parts of the body, though many, are one body, so…

Isaiah 62:1-51 Corinthians 12:4-11John 21-11Giftedness In John’s gospel miracles are called signs. In the gospel for Sunday Jesus performs his first sign of his new ministry. There was a wedding at Cana in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. When the wine ran…

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Acts 10:34-38 Luke 3:15-16, 21-22  Baptism  The people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals….

Isaiah 60:1-6Ephesians 3:1-12Matthew 2:1-12 Shared Gifts On this first Sunday of the New Year we celebrate the revelation of God incarnate as Jesus the Christ. It’s on this feast of the epiphany that we hear the story of the three magi bringing gifts to the new born child. Because the magi (representing the non-Jewish people…

First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14Second Reading: Colossians 3:12-21Gospel: Luke 2:41-52 Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Today’s Feast of the Holy Family calls us to think about our own families whether they be by blood, adoption, friendship, church or religious communities. We often take our families for granted, but with some…

Micah 5:1-4Hebrews 10:5-10Luke 1:39-45 The Visitation This is the final week of Advent and in a few days we will celebrate Christmas, the birth of Jesus into our world. For the last two weeks we heard stories about John the Baptist preparing the way for the coming of Jesus. Today we switch gears and hear…

 Zephaniah 3:14-18a Philippians 4:4-7 Luke 3:10-18  Peace and Joy This third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means ‘rejoice’ and certainly that is the mood of Paul’s Letter to the Philippians. “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in…

Baruch 5:1-9Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11Luke 3:1-6 Preparedness In this second Sunday of Advent we are encouraged to make ourselves ready for the physical coming of Jesus into our world. It is not a somber time, but rather, a time of joyful preparation. Baruch tells us in the first reading that the Israelites should prepare themselves for…

Jeremiah 33:14-161 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2Luke 21:25-28, 34-36 Advent Advent is a time of anticipation, a time of waiting. As committed Christians we actively wait for the second coming of the Christ at some unknown time in the future. But each year at Christmas we celebrate Jesus’ first coming into our midst. As we prepare for Christmas, we are reminded…

Daniel 7:13-14Revelation 1:5-8John 18:33B-37 Solemnity of Christ the King The Responsorial Psalm Response points to the core belief of today’s feast of Christ the King. “The LORD is king; he is robed in majesty.” For us Americans the idea of a king is foreign to us. We know from history and current day monarchies that…

Daniel 12:1-3Hebrews 10:11-14, 18Mark 13:24-32 The End Times “… Today the readings direct our attention to the end of time. We are promised that if we are faithful, we shall not be destroyed. We are promised that the Archangel Michael will be there helping us. We are told that the one great sacrifice for sins has been made…

1 Kings 17:10-16Hebrews 9:24-28Mark 12:38-44 Or Mark 12:41-44 Faith and Generosity There is a clear link between the widow of Zarephath in the first reading and the widow in the gospel story. The first widow and her son are close to starvation when Elijah asks her for food and water. She trusts Elijah when he…