Our first reading today comes from Genesis 12 where the story of Abram, who God would later rename “Abraham.” Before this passage, the only mention of Abraham is his genealogy presented in Genesis 11:10-32. These four verses in today’s first reading tell us two very profound things about Abraham. First, that he has been chosen …
“The LORD God formed man out of the clay of the ground and blew into his nostrils the breath of life.“ These are the words that begin our first reading today. God created humanity. The first part of this verse is taking literally by some. God formed us out of the clay. They use the …
Ash WednesdayJoel 2:12-18Psalm 51:304, 5-6ab, 12-13,14 and 172 Corinthians 5:20-6:2Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18February 22, 2023 What are we doing here today? It’s the middle of the week. We go to church on Sunday. Why are we here in the middle of the week? Of course, it is because it is Ash Wednesday. We are here to …
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Year CLuke 19:28-40 Isaiah 50:4-7Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 (28)Philippians 2:6-11Luke 22:14-23:56April 10, 2022 Our Passion narrative today begins, “When the hour came, Jesus took his place.” What hour? What was his place? It is the hour for his Passion. The place? The place is where God …
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4th Sunday of Lent, Year CJoshua 5:9a, 10-12Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 (8a)2 Corinthians 5:17-21Luke 15:1-3, 11-32March 27, 2022 The Israelites had been through much. Now under the leadership of Joshua, they have crossed the Jordan into the land in which the Lord had given them. They had been slaves in Egypt until the Lord set …
2nd Sunday of Lent, Year CGenesis 15:5-12, 17-18Psalm 27:1, 7-8, 8-9, 13-14 (1a)Philippians 3:17-4:1Luke 9:28b-36March 13, 2022 Peter, James, and John “saw his glory.” Imagine getting to see Jesus transfigured into glory as we will see him in Heaven. It was an incredible experience. Seeing Jesus in his glory, Peter said, “Master, it is good …
8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year CSirach 27:4-7Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16 (see 2a)1 Corinthians 15:54-58Luke 6:39-45February 27, 2022 In Sirach we hear, “so in tribulation is the test of the just.” We face “tribulation” (i.e. distress) in our world today. We face it in hearing, maybe even experiencing for ourselves, of violent acts like mass …
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I just uploaded the video and slides from my last presentation, Starting Lent Right, at www.renewaloffaith.org/startinglentright. For the next few days you may complete an evaluation of the presentation online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScNg08BBe2TvL4tM6GsFmrT73ZZv-BPLlq5oS4ASNZ-ki84cw/viewform?usp=sf_link At one point in the presentation, I mention a document I have that outlines the scriptural origins of the Stations of the Cross. …
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (March 2nd) and ends as we begin the Easter Triduum (Easter Sunday is April 17th). We know the rules about abstaining from meat on Ash Wednesday and all Fridays of Lent. Have you ever thought about why we abstain from meat? We are called to give something up for Lent. …
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the LordGospel at the Procession – Mark 11:1-10Isaiah 50:4-7Psalm 22:8-9, 17-18, 19-20, 23-24 (2a)Philippians 2:6-11Mark 14:1-15:47March 28, 2021 Our gospel for the blessing of the palms began, “When Jesus and his disciples drew near to Jerusalem.” Taken at face value, the words “drew near to Jerusalem” tell us that …
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