Angela For Today

Gen 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18Rom 8:31-34Mk 9:2-10 Choices The first reading from Genesis is a difficult one because we find Abraham believing that God wants him to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac. Child sacrifice was a reality at the time of Abraham and one practiced by his neighbors the Canaanites. Abraham is a man of strong…

Gn 9:8-151 Pt 3:18-22Mk 1:12-15 Lent This past Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, was the beginning of Lent. Every liturgical year the church sets aside forty days of preparation for the most important feast of the year – Easter. Reading the scripture, the Word of God for this Sunday, tells us that Jesus, following his baptism goes…

Lv 13:1-2, 44-461 Cor 10:31—11:1Mk 1:40-45 Compassionate healing The gospel story for this Sunday once again illustrates the healing power of Jesus and his desire to eliminate anything unclean from our lives. This is another great story of Jesus’ caring, love and mercy. During the historical period of Jesus’ lifetime, and long after, leprosy was a…

Jb 7:1-4, 6-71 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23Mk 1:29-39 Service In the epistle and gospel for this Sunday, we hear examples of a serving ministry beginning with Jesus’ healing and caring for others.  In the first reading, Job complains that he is experiencing misery and despair, but the psalm reminds us to “Praise the Lord, who heals…

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…