“But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Our world is full of dishonesty and sinfulness and we, as societies in both the United States and in nations around the world, have become complacent.
There are only two groups of people in the Old Testament: there are the Jews; and everyone else. And everyone else is a Gentile.
The Book of Habakkuk is very short, only three chapters in length, but it is a rich prophecy concerning the impending doom of Judah at the hands of the Babylonians. Unfortunately, we are getting only a very small portion of that prophecy in this reading.
Our readings this week deal, not only with social justice, but also with the culture of indifference. Read more in our latest blog post.
Amos was an 8th century B.C. prophet of the northern Kingdom of Israel, as opposed to the southern Kingdom of Judah, and is often referred to as “the prophet of social justice.” He is the earliest of the prophets with a book in his name.
The major themes of the Book of Wisdom are the splendor of God’s wisdom and the futility of human wisdom in relation to divine wisdom; and the splendor of the law that was given to God’s people through the events of the Exodus.
Our first reading this week is from the Book of Sirach, which is also known in our scriptures as the Book of Ecclesiasticus.
Our first reading this week comes from the last chapter of the Book of Isaiah and very probably cannot be attributed to Isaiah himself.
When considering the prophets of the Old Testament, there is an old saying that applies to them: “They bring comfort to the afflicted, and affliction to the comfortable.” We see the truth of that statement in our first reading. Jeremiah’s prophecy had so disturbed King Zedekiah and his princes that they threw Jeremiah into an empty well to die there.
As our first reading makes reference to the Passover (known beforehand to our fathers), it also makes reference to the Exodus which was initiated by the first Passover.
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Reading 1: Is 49:3, 5-6 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 Reading 2: 1 Cor 1:1-3 Gospel: Jn 1:29-34 We are now entering the Liturgical Season of Ordinary Time. But “Ordinary” does not imply; “Ho-Hum, Ordinary.” In Ordinary...
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Reading 1: IS 42:1-4, 6-7 Responsorial Psalm: PS 29:1-2, 3-4, 3, 9-10 Reading 2: ACTS 10:34-38 Gospel: MT 3:13-17 This week we celebrate the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, which is also the first Sunday in Ordinary Time....
The Epiphany of the Lord Reading 1: Is 60:1-6 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13. Reading 1: 1 Eph 3:2-3a, 5-6 Gospel: Mt 2:1-12 A dictionary definition of the word “Epiphany” would be something like: “A usually sudden manifestation or perception of the...
The Octave Day of Christmas Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God Reading 1: Nm 6:22-27 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Reading 2: Gal 4:4-7 Gospel: Lk 2:16-21 This Sunday, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of...
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Reading 1: Sir 3:2-6, 12-14 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 128:1-2, 3, 4-5. Reading 2: Col 3:12-21 Gospel: Mt 2:13-15, 19-23 This Sunday we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and the theme of family...
Praise be Jesus Christ! Praise be His most holy name. Praise Him now and always. Praise Him for all He is, was, and is to come. Praise Him who is Lord of Lord, King of Kings, Mighty, Counselor, Bread of Life. Thank You God for all thy benefits. Thank You for the rain,...
Fourth Sunday of Advent Reading 1: Is 7:10-14 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6 Reading 2: Rom 1:1-7 Gospel: Mt 1:18-24 Our first reading this week comes from chapter 7 of Isaiah and the interpretations and commentaries on this passage seem to have no end. But...
Third Sunday of Advent Reading 1: Is 35:1-6a, 10 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10 Reading 2: Jas 5:7-10 Gospel: Mt 11:2-11 Individuals are conditioned by the society they live in and, therefore, the crimes of particular individuals disclose the corruption...
First Sunday of Advent Reading 1: Is 2:1-5 Responsorial Psalm: Ps 122: 1-2, 3-4, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9 Reading 2: Rom 13:11-14 Gospel: Mt 24:37-44 This Sunday, we begin the Extraordinary Liturgical Season of Advent and the beginning of a year of Cycle A Sunday readings. This...
Praise be Jesus Christ! Praise be His holy name. Praise Him who was, is, and is to come. Praise Him for His relentless pursuit of us! Praise him for His constant love and discipline. Praise Him always. Thank You Lord for teaching us. Thank You, God, for putting up...
