God’s Word is important. God’s Word helps us know how we are called to live. Unfortunately, we don’t always listen. If we do hear it, we don’t always pay attention. This was true for the Israelites. Through revelation, the Law, and the prophets, God had been telling them how to live well. Some listened. Many …
With this Sunday’s celebration of the Baptism of the Lord our Christmas season ends. Christmas is a time of great hope. We hear the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth, we see Jesus laying in the manger, and our hearts are filled with hope. The sight of any baby can fill our hearts with joy for …
With Christmas falling on Saturday this year, after spending my time this week preparing a Christmas homily, I am grateful that one of our deacons preached today (Sunday) as we celebrate the feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. In sharing the preaching responsibility, we were both able to focus on one …
In today’s first reading for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C, Micah offers the Israelites hope during a difficult time. It is written following the fall on the northern kingdom. The Israelites are worried what is going to happen next. What Micah offers is not a new prophecy. It is the prophecy of a …
Today (December 12, 2021) we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, Year C. The normal liturgical color for Advent is violet (we often say purple). We use the color violent as a sign of penance, especially in Lent. Thinking of penance means thinking of our sins. That may depress us. Awareness of our sins should …
Soon we will celebrate the first Coming of Jesus with our Christmas season. Christmas is too important to celebrate with just a single day. We celebrate Christmas a season that begins with our Christmas Masses and lasts until we celebrate the Baptism of the Lord. Christmas is a time of hope. The birth of Jesus …
Our liturgical year in the church is drawing to a close. In two weeks we will begin a new year with the First Sunday of Advent. As we draw this year to a close, our readings turn to the end times when Jesus will come for the second time. Jesus describes the end by saying, …
Our gospel reading and the first reading for this 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) speak of God’s commandments. We think in terms of 10 commandments. The Jews list 613 commandments with the 10 being the most important and applying to everyone. With so many commandments, where does one begin? I think this is …
Today’s first reading comes from the fourth of four passages in the Book of Isaiah that speak of a “suffering servant.” People see suffering as something terrible and to be avoided. However, in the first reading, regarding the suffering servant, we hear how “The LORD was pleased to crush him in infirmity.” It is the …
In the gospel for today (27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B), the Pharisees asked Jesus a question. They asked this question to test him. They were looking for a way to prove He was not the Messiah. While their motives are bad, the question can be a good question, “Is it lawful for a …
