Dt 18:15-201 Cor 7:32-35Mk 1:21-28 Belief The gospel for this Sunday shows us Jesus teaching in the synagogue on the Sabbath. It is clear that the people respond to Jesus’ teaching with astonishment. They see Jesus as one who teaches with authority and they contrast his teaching with the teaching of the scribes. Then they…

Jon 3:1-5, 101 Cor 7:29-31Mk 1:14-20 Respond to the Call Today we begin a continuous reading of Mark’s Gospel that will carry us through a large portion of the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. The readings for the 3rd Sunday invite us to be transformed by the call of Jesus. In the first reading, Jonah…

1 Sm 3:3b-10, 191 Cor 6:13c-15a, 17-20Jn 1:35-42 Responding The Psalm Response for this Sunday is the theme for all three readings. Here am I, Lord; I come to do your will. In the first reading, young Samuel was asleep when God called to him. Thinking it was the priest Eli, Samuel went to him saying,…

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 is 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…

Sir 3:2-6, 12-14COL 3:12-17LK 2:22-40 The readings for the Feast of the Holy Family focus on the importance of family. The first reading tells us about honoring our fathers. The second reading tells us how to live together as families. In the gospel Joseph and Mary take the infant Jesus to Jerusalem for the ritual…

2 SM 7:1-5, 8B-12, 14A, 16ROM 16:25-27LK 1:26-38 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…

Is 61:1-2A, 10-111 Thes 5:16-24Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 Commit The readings for the Third Sunday in Advent encourage us to rejoice because our salvation is near. The first reading foreshadows the coming of the Messiah, the anointed one. The second reading encourages us to rejoice, pray, and give thanks. In the gospel, John the Baptist tells…

IS 40:1-5, 9-112 PT 3:8-14MK 1:1-8 Change The readings for the Second Sunday of Advent introduce us to John the Baptist and his call to repent. John the Baptist is presented to us as a prophet preparing the way for Jesus’ coming. We, too, are called upon to prepare a way for the Lord. Our…

IS 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-71 COR 1:3-9MK 13:33-37 Be Vigilant The readings for the First Sunday in Advent are a call to be alert, prepared and vigilant while waiting for the coming of the Lord. Advent culminates with the feast of Christmas, but it is more than that. Advent is a time for us to be…

Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-171 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28Matthew 25:31-46 Serving our King and Shepherd The readings for the Solemnity of Christ the King tell us that Christ is a caring leader who longs for us to live together as his Reign of God is made real in our world. The first reading tells of the Lord as a shepherd gathering in his…

Prv 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31Mt 25:14-30 Use Your Talents The readings for this Sunday remind us that we are  to make God’s reign real in the here and now by using the gifts we have been given. The first reading tells us of the worthy wife who uses her talents to labor for good. In the second…

Wisdom 6:12-161 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Matthew 25:1-13 Preparedness We are reminded in the Sunday readings to always be alert and ready. The first reading speaks of seeking wisdom and being ready for her at dawn. The second reading tells us that death is not the end and that we will rise in Christ Jesus. In the gospel, Jesus tells the parable…

Mal 1:14b-2:2b, 8-101 Thes 2:7b-9, 13Mt 23:1-12 Be humble and Holy The readings for this Sunday are timely because we will vote two days later. They remind us that all leaders, and we as well, are called to humility and holiness. The first reading from the prophet Malachi speaks God’s message to listen to God…

Ex 22:20-261 Thes 1:5c-10Mt 22:34-40 Love of God and Neighbor The readings for this Sunday are a clear call to love. We are told in the first reading how we are to treat other people, especially the poor, oppressed, and marginalized. St. Paul in the second reading reminds us that we should live in such…

Is 45:1, 41 Thes 1:1-5bMt 22:15-21 Faith, Hope and Love From the first reading for this Sunday, we are told about the presence of the God of Israel in the life of Cyrus who eventually makes it possible for the exiled Jews to return home to Israel. The second reading speaks of how we are chosen…