First Wednesday of Advent
From today’s Scripture: “The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces.”—Is 25:8 While anticipation of the joyful Nativity season may be in the air, it’s trite but true: death does not take a holiday. Our reading from Isaiah is one often used at funerals—and for good reason. The reality of this life […]
St. Francis Xavier
From today’s Scripture: “…you have revealed to the childlike.”—Lk 10:21 After 50 years as a priest I had a wonderful insight into this quote recently. When I left the parish, she was a high school student. Fourteen years later she was married with two children. It was wonderful catching up with her and meeting her […]
First Monday of Advent
From today’s Scripture: “…nor shall they train for war again.”—Is 2:4 Peace and harmony are themes woven throughout Advent. The coming of the Prince of Peace should usher in an era where that is the norm—everywhere. And yet, the news of the day—every day—seems to mock that hope as well as Christ’s title. As I […]
First Sunday of Advent
From today’s Scripture: “…be blameless in holiness…”—1 Thes 3:13 Happy Advent! It’s that beautiful liturgical season which barely scores a footnote with the barrage of things Christmas. (I saw my first Christmas tree displayed this year on October 9.) Advent marks a new beginning. For me as a priest, once again returning to the beginning […]
St. Andrew
From today’s Scripture: “He said to them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”—Mt 4:19-20 In today’s gospel from Matthew, Jesus calls his first disciples. Among them are Andrew and his younger brother Peter. However, I always found it interesting that in […]
34th Friday in Ordinary Time
From today’s Scripture: “When you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near. Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.”—Lk 21:31-33 Recalling what Jesus described in the […]
34th Thursday in Ordinary Time
From today’s Scripture: “As they were going, they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, ‘Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other […]
34th Wednesday in Ordinary Time
From today’s Scripture: “You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.”—Lk 21:16-19 In today’s […]
34th Tuesday in Ordinary Time
From today’s Scripture: “Jesus said, ‘All that you see here– the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.’”—Lk 21:5-6 In today’s gospel, the crowd around Jesus admires the beauty of the temple. The temple was the center of Jewish life. It was […]
34th Monday in Ordinary Time
From today’s Scripture: “He said, ‘I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.’’—Lk 21:3-4 Today’s gospel is the familiar story of the widow that gave a small amount […]
