Tuesday of the Ninetheenth week in Ordinary Time/Memorial of Saint Clare, virgin
Today's Mass Readings
The theme of humility runs through each of today’s readings. This theme provides an opportunity for reflection on the virtue of humility and its opposing vice, which is pride. We have likely all experienced the difficulty in determining the boundaries between the virtue of humility and the vice of pride. More subtly, we all may have experienced the difficulty in determining whether our desire to nurture our humility has turned into a false humility that is used to rationalize our failure to use the gifts that God has given us. Similarly, when we use those gifts to their full extent, we may experience some guilt when we question whether we deserve the return that we have derived from those gifts. Today’s readings cause us to notice that there is a tension involving humility, pride, false humility and giving our best effort to honor God. At times the boundaries between these concepts are difficult to discern, but to discern the boundaries, we must first have a solid understanding of the core concepts.
Today's Mass Readings
The theme of humility runs through each of today’s readings. This theme provides an opportunity for reflection on the virtue of humility and its opposing vice, which is pride. We have likely all experienced the difficulty in determining the boundaries between the virtue of humility and the vice of pride. More subtly, we all may have experienced the difficulty in determining whether our desire to nurture our humility has turned into a false humility that is used to rationalize our failure to use the gifts that God has given us. Similarly, when we use those gifts to their full extent, we may experience some guilt when we question whether we deserve the return that we have derived from those gifts. Today’s readings cause us to notice that there is a tension involving humility, pride, false humility and giving our best effort to honor God. At times the boundaries between these concepts are difficult to discern, but to discern the boundaries, we must first have a solid understanding of the core concepts.
Feast of Saint Lawrence, deacon and martyr
Today's Mass Readings
It is not mere coincidence that there are grill restaurants all over the country named for St. Lawrence. This saint was grilled to death. Legend has it that when one side of him had been thoroughly cooked, he told his executioners they should flip him over on the gridiron. While this is the stuff of legends, it is known that Lawrence, a deacon of the Church, was martyred during the persecution of Valerian in 258. Today’s readings are chosen specifically for his feast.
Today's Mass Readings
It is not mere coincidence that there are grill restaurants all over the country named for St. Lawrence. This saint was grilled to death. Legend has it that when one side of him had been thoroughly cooked, he told his executioners they should flip him over on the gridiron. While this is the stuff of legends, it is known that Lawrence, a deacon of the Church, was martyred during the persecution of Valerian in 258. Today’s readings are chosen specifically for his feast.
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The passage that we have as the gospel reading for today’s Eucharist is part of a larger section called the “bread of life” discourse in the gospel of John. The discourse begins with John 6:25 and ends with 6:71.
Today's Mass Readings
The passage that we have as the gospel reading for today’s Eucharist is part of a larger section called the “bread of life” discourse in the gospel of John. The discourse begins with John 6:25 and ends with 6:71.
Memorial of Saint Dominic, priest
Today's Mass Reading
In the last month or so, we have reflected on the origin and history of the people of Israel beginning with Abraham in the book of Genesis to the development of organized religion in the book Leviticus and Numbers. Today we reach the last book in this five book series – the book of Deuteronomy. The five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) together is called the “Pentateuch.” The book of Deuteronomy (meaning “second law”) is different from the other four books and contains important lessons for us.
Today's Mass Reading
In the last month or so, we have reflected on the origin and history of the people of Israel beginning with Abraham in the book of Genesis to the development of organized religion in the book Leviticus and Numbers. Today we reach the last book in this five book series – the book of Deuteronomy. The five books (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) together is called the “Pentateuch.” The book of Deuteronomy (meaning “second law”) is different from the other four books and contains important lessons for us.
Friday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
When my sister managed to get into a liberal arts college complete with a full scholarship, I was cheering her on with all my might. Her victory was so much sweeter because she had not done well in high school, to the point that some of her guidance counselors recommended she not go to college at all. In fact, she didn’t immediately make it to that liberal arts college once she (barely) graduated from high school. But she wanted to go – she had aspirations (like becoming a lawyer and providing legal advice for disadvantaged people) that required college to fulfill them.
Today's Mass Readings
When my sister managed to get into a liberal arts college complete with a full scholarship, I was cheering her on with all my might. Her victory was so much sweeter because she had not done well in high school, to the point that some of her guidance counselors recommended she not go to college at all. In fact, she didn’t immediately make it to that liberal arts college once she (barely) graduated from high school. But she wanted to go – she had aspirations (like becoming a lawyer and providing legal advice for disadvantaged people) that required college to fulfill them.
Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate an important feast, namely, the Transfiguration of the Lord. “Transfiguration” refers first and foremost to the event described in today’s gospel passage from Mark, but it is foreshadowed in the first reading from Daniel. Daniel describes visions referring to God. Our knowledge of Jesus in the New Testament enables us to look back at this Old Testament passage and read it Christologically. In other words, we understand the Daniel passage as referring to Jesus. And indeed, when we read the passage from Mark, there are similarities. In Mark Jesus ascended a mountain with Peter, James, and John and became transfigured before their eyes, then joined by Elijah and Moses. We can only imagine the wonder and awe of the three apostles as they saw this amazing sight. Although they certainly knew that this transfigured person was still their friend and teacher Jesus, it was Jesus as they had never experienced him. They knew Jesus had extraordinary healing powers, extraordinary wisdom, and extraordinary compassion, but they had never seen his glory shining forth in this dramatic way.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate an important feast, namely, the Transfiguration of the Lord. “Transfiguration” refers first and foremost to the event described in today’s gospel passage from Mark, but it is foreshadowed in the first reading from Daniel. Daniel describes visions referring to God. Our knowledge of Jesus in the New Testament enables us to look back at this Old Testament passage and read it Christologically. In other words, we understand the Daniel passage as referring to Jesus. And indeed, when we read the passage from Mark, there are similarities. In Mark Jesus ascended a mountain with Peter, James, and John and became transfigured before their eyes, then joined by Elijah and Moses. We can only imagine the wonder and awe of the three apostles as they saw this amazing sight. Although they certainly knew that this transfigured person was still their friend and teacher Jesus, it was Jesus as they had never experienced him. They knew Jesus had extraordinary healing powers, extraordinary wisdom, and extraordinary compassion, but they had never seen his glory shining forth in this dramatic way.
Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Wow! Today’s scripture from the Old Testament is almost jaw dropping in its harshness. Clearly, God has worked hard to get the slaves freed. He has feed them in the desert and now gotten the Israelites to the Promised Land. The scouts have come back from the Promised Land and have described what they have found mostly from a negative point of view. This discouraging report spreads like a poison throughout all of the children of Israel. It challenged and undermined God’s promise of liberation throughout the community. We still see this today, as negative energy can consume a family, an office, a church or any organization when left unchecked. God’s response to the negativity seems like tough love. God responds to the challenge and negative belief by delivering suffering; For every day the scouts spent in the Promised Land, the Lord repays their pessimistic response with one year wandering in the desert for a total of forty years.
Today's Mass Readings
Wow! Today’s scripture from the Old Testament is almost jaw dropping in its harshness. Clearly, God has worked hard to get the slaves freed. He has feed them in the desert and now gotten the Israelites to the Promised Land. The scouts have come back from the Promised Land and have described what they have found mostly from a negative point of view. This discouraging report spreads like a poison throughout all of the children of Israel. It challenged and undermined God’s promise of liberation throughout the community. We still see this today, as negative energy can consume a family, an office, a church or any organization when left unchecked. God’s response to the negativity seems like tough love. God responds to the challenge and negative belief by delivering suffering; For every day the scouts spent in the Promised Land, the Lord repays their pessimistic response with one year wandering in the desert for a total of forty years.
Memorial of Saint John Mary Vianney, priest
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings remind us that the emotional reaction that is often described when people encounter God is one of anxiety or fear. While this reaction might be ironic, it is so pervasive that Jesus repeatedly instructs his disciples not to fear. (e.g., Mt 14:27, Mt 28:10, Lk 24:36) Our readings provide an opportunity to think about the source of this anxiety and how it might be addressed. We might also consider whether the context in which fear arises plays a part in how God asks us to respond to it.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings remind us that the emotional reaction that is often described when people encounter God is one of anxiety or fear. While this reaction might be ironic, it is so pervasive that Jesus repeatedly instructs his disciples not to fear. (e.g., Mt 14:27, Mt 28:10, Lk 24:36) Our readings provide an opportunity to think about the source of this anxiety and how it might be addressed. We might also consider whether the context in which fear arises plays a part in how God asks us to respond to it.
Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
As we continue with this 18th week of Ordinary Time, we hear more about Moses’ journey with the Hebrew people following their escape from Egypt. When we consider this first reading from the book of Numbers, we might say to ourselves, “These people are certainly big complainers! God rescues them from slavery, and all they can do is complain about the food!” The list almost seems comical: cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. One can picture the Hebrew people daydreaming about food, wishing they could head back to slavery and maltreatment so that at least they could eat well. It’s no wonder that Moses became so upset with these people!
Today's Mass Readings
As we continue with this 18th week of Ordinary Time, we hear more about Moses’ journey with the Hebrew people following their escape from Egypt. When we consider this first reading from the book of Numbers, we might say to ourselves, “These people are certainly big complainers! God rescues them from slavery, and all they can do is complain about the food!” The list almost seems comical: cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. One can picture the Hebrew people daydreaming about food, wishing they could head back to slavery and maltreatment so that at least they could eat well. It’s no wonder that Moses became so upset with these people!
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
During one of the parish missions in Mumbai, India, I had a rather strange encounter. At a spiritual conuselling session, sitting withof me was no ordinary visitor. This youngster in his thirties claimed to have come from the Church of Satan. He told me that he was a Satan worshipper. I hid my shock, but let me admit, that deep within me I was a bit scared. As I gained control over myself and asked for God's protection, I asked him how it all happened. He told me about his Catholic upbringing and his good parents. After his education he set up a business at which he didn’t do as well as he thought he would. And then he came across a friend who suggested that he pray to Satan. And according to him, it worked. "Business is blooming today", he told me. "I prayed to God, and nothing happened, but and prayer to Satan and now I am rich."
Today's Mass Readings
During one of the parish missions in Mumbai, India, I had a rather strange encounter. At a spiritual conuselling session, sitting withof me was no ordinary visitor. This youngster in his thirties claimed to have come from the Church of Satan. He told me that he was a Satan worshipper. I hid my shock, but let me admit, that deep within me I was a bit scared. As I gained control over myself and asked for God's protection, I asked him how it all happened. He told me about his Catholic upbringing and his good parents. After his education he set up a business at which he didn’t do as well as he thought he would. And then he came across a friend who suggested that he pray to Satan. And according to him, it worked. "Business is blooming today", he told me. "I prayed to God, and nothing happened, but and prayer to Satan and now I am rich."
Memorial of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, bishop and doctor of the Church
Today's Mass Readings
Sometimes we are tempted to think that the gospel injunction to serve the poor is merely an individual mandate – that as long as we give some of our money, as long as we make a casserole for the homeless once in a while, as long as we give a beggar some money here and there, we have lived out our obligation to the poor. All of these things are very good things, indeed holy things, that a part of the Christian life. In fact, they compose a standard that sometimes I would be pleased if I myself met!
Today's Mass Readings
Sometimes we are tempted to think that the gospel injunction to serve the poor is merely an individual mandate – that as long as we give some of our money, as long as we make a casserole for the homeless once in a while, as long as we give a beggar some money here and there, we have lived out our obligation to the poor. All of these things are very good things, indeed holy things, that a part of the Christian life. In fact, they compose a standard that sometimes I would be pleased if I myself met!
Memorial of Saint Ignatius of Loyola, priest
Today's Mass Readings
A couple years ago, I went to a high school reunion. I remember being amazed at what my former classmates had done or become since high school. One was a budding Hollywood producer, another a renowned local artist, another a sought-after lawyer. In an admittedly non-humble way, I wanted to say to their various admirers and employers: “Seriously? You thought they would be good? Don’t you know about the practical joke he played on his teachers in ninth grade? Haven’t you heard about the time she set fire to the entire chemistry lab?”
Today's Mass Readings
A couple years ago, I went to a high school reunion. I remember being amazed at what my former classmates had done or become since high school. One was a budding Hollywood producer, another a renowned local artist, another a sought-after lawyer. In an admittedly non-humble way, I wanted to say to their various admirers and employers: “Seriously? You thought they would be good? Don’t you know about the practical joke he played on his teachers in ninth grade? Haven’t you heard about the time she set fire to the entire chemistry lab?”
Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The glory of God's dwelling was always seen as far off, distant and unreachable for mere humans. And indeed it is. But what for us isimpossible, God has made possible. In today's first reading from the Book of Exodus, we see a glimpse of how awesome God's dwelling, God's very presence, is. The readings move from an image of God's dwelling as awesome and holy, terrible and mighty, to the Psalmist longing for God's dwelling place. The Psalmist yearns to dwell in the courts of the Lord. And this too should be our own longing.
Today's Mass Readings
The glory of God's dwelling was always seen as far off, distant and unreachable for mere humans. And indeed it is. But what for us isimpossible, God has made possible. In today's first reading from the Book of Exodus, we see a glimpse of how awesome God's dwelling, God's very presence, is. The readings move from an image of God's dwelling as awesome and holy, terrible and mighty, to the Psalmist longing for God's dwelling place. The Psalmist yearns to dwell in the courts of the Lord. And this too should be our own longing.
Memorial of Saint Martha
Today's Mass Readings
What would happen to us, if one day we were walking down the street and suddenly we realize that the person walking towards us was Jesus? What would we do? Would we turn and walk with him? Would we ask lots of questions? Might we like Martha fall at Jesus’ feet and listen to the Lord?
Today's Mass Readings
What would happen to us, if one day we were walking down the street and suddenly we realize that the person walking towards us was Jesus? What would we do? Would we turn and walk with him? Would we ask lots of questions? Might we like Martha fall at Jesus’ feet and listen to the Lord?
Tuesday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
One of the more interesting aspects of our society is the amount of time and effort that is put into advertising products and services. Many firms exist for the sole purpose of devising new ways to convince us to act. That is, to convince us to make a decision to purchase a product or service and then to act on that decision. While some of this advertising is beneficial because it makes people aware of the availability of products and services that they need, it is interesting to see how some advertising attempts to motivate people to act against their own self interest. While there are many examples, my favorite is one restaurant’s “No rules. Just right” ad campaign. This campaign appeals to the desire to believe that if I disregard those standards that I know are objectively right, everything will still be okay. We know that consuming a 2,310 calorie appetizer will not result in a good end, so why do people do it? One explanation is that we are good at disconnecting short term decisions from what we perceive to be long term consequences. Today’s readings remind us that there are ultimately consequences for all of the large and small decisions that we make on a daily basis. While reflecting on those long term consequences, we might also consider how we are perceiving the short term consequences of our decisions.
Today's Mass Readings
One of the more interesting aspects of our society is the amount of time and effort that is put into advertising products and services. Many firms exist for the sole purpose of devising new ways to convince us to act. That is, to convince us to make a decision to purchase a product or service and then to act on that decision. While some of this advertising is beneficial because it makes people aware of the availability of products and services that they need, it is interesting to see how some advertising attempts to motivate people to act against their own self interest. While there are many examples, my favorite is one restaurant’s “No rules. Just right” ad campaign. This campaign appeals to the desire to believe that if I disregard those standards that I know are objectively right, everything will still be okay. We know that consuming a 2,310 calorie appetizer will not result in a good end, so why do people do it? One explanation is that we are good at disconnecting short term decisions from what we perceive to be long term consequences. Today’s readings remind us that there are ultimately consequences for all of the large and small decisions that we make on a daily basis. While reflecting on those long term consequences, we might also consider how we are perceiving the short term consequences of our decisions.
Monday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
As we begin this seventeenth week of Ordinary Time, we continue hearing the stories from the book of exodus. The first reading for today is another dramatic one. After he has met with God on Mt. Sinai, Moses walks down the mountain only to find that the Hebrew people have made an idol. Moses’ brother Aaron has helped them to turn their gold jewelry into a golden calf, which they are busy celebrating and worshipping. Here is the God that has done so much for them – led them out of Egypt, rescued them from Pharaoh’s army, and fed them during their time in the desert…and yet the people are still enamored with the habits they picked up in Egypt. One of God’s reasons for wanting his people out of Egypt was so that they could have the freedom to worship him again. Ironically, we see that while you can get the Hebrews out of Egypt, you can’t get the Egypt out of the Hebrews.
Today's Mass Readings
As we begin this seventeenth week of Ordinary Time, we continue hearing the stories from the book of exodus. The first reading for today is another dramatic one. After he has met with God on Mt. Sinai, Moses walks down the mountain only to find that the Hebrew people have made an idol. Moses’ brother Aaron has helped them to turn their gold jewelry into a golden calf, which they are busy celebrating and worshipping. Here is the God that has done so much for them – led them out of Egypt, rescued them from Pharaoh’s army, and fed them during their time in the desert…and yet the people are still enamored with the habits they picked up in Egypt. One of God’s reasons for wanting his people out of Egypt was so that they could have the freedom to worship him again. Ironically, we see that while you can get the Hebrews out of Egypt, you can’t get the Egypt out of the Hebrews.
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The way I look at it, this Sunday’s gospel is the practical implication that followed from last week’s gospel. In last Sunday’s gospel, Jesus “saw the vast crowd and his heart was moved with compassion for them… (Mk 6:34). And then Jesus began to teach them many things. Today’s gospel reading is a continuation of that same theme. Jesus taught till it was late (Mk 6:35). Apparently, people stayed back and listened to Jesus because he was catering to their need for the Divine. But then, just as Jesus was sensitive to the spiritual vacuum in people’s lives, he also became sensitive to their physical hunger. In other words, Jesus’ compassion was not some shallow feeling. It had depth. This was instinctive, genuine, divine compassion. With absolutely no resources at hand Jesus begins to make arrangements to feed the thousands of people gathered there – an arrangement that ends up in the miracle of the multiplication of loaves.
Today's Mass Readings
The way I look at it, this Sunday’s gospel is the practical implication that followed from last week’s gospel. In last Sunday’s gospel, Jesus “saw the vast crowd and his heart was moved with compassion for them… (Mk 6:34). And then Jesus began to teach them many things. Today’s gospel reading is a continuation of that same theme. Jesus taught till it was late (Mk 6:35). Apparently, people stayed back and listened to Jesus because he was catering to their need for the Divine. But then, just as Jesus was sensitive to the spiritual vacuum in people’s lives, he also became sensitive to their physical hunger. In other words, Jesus’ compassion was not some shallow feeling. It had depth. This was instinctive, genuine, divine compassion. With absolutely no resources at hand Jesus begins to make arrangements to feed the thousands of people gathered there – an arrangement that ends up in the miracle of the multiplication of loaves.
Feast of Saint James, Apostle
Today's Mass Readings
There’s something about the story in today’s gospel from Matthew that is endearing in a way that the similar story in the Gospel of Mark is not. In Mark, James and John approach Jesus themselves and ask Him to do whatever they ask. They proceed to ask to sit at His right and left when He comes into His glory. Jesus, as in today’s gospel, tells them that they will indeed drink the cup He will drink, but places are not His to assign (Mark 10:35-45).
Today's Mass Readings
There’s something about the story in today’s gospel from Matthew that is endearing in a way that the similar story in the Gospel of Mark is not. In Mark, James and John approach Jesus themselves and ask Him to do whatever they ask. They proceed to ask to sit at His right and left when He comes into His glory. Jesus, as in today’s gospel, tells them that they will indeed drink the cup He will drink, but places are not His to assign (Mark 10:35-45).
Friday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Indeed, the Old Testament readings of this week have been the most important of the entire weeks in the liturgical year. Today, we have another significant episode of our salvation history being revealed – the Ten Commandments. These commandment form the core of the Covenant that God made with the people of Israel (tomorrow’s reading).
Today's Mass Readings
Indeed, the Old Testament readings of this week have been the most important of the entire weeks in the liturgical year. Today, we have another significant episode of our salvation history being revealed – the Ten Commandments. These commandment form the core of the Covenant that God made with the people of Israel (tomorrow’s reading).
Thursday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
These days, the term “fear of God” has become lost to us. You may have heard the commonplace assertion that the “God” of the Old Testament is angry and scary, in contrast with the “God” of the New Testament who is loving and kind. Today we have two readings, one from the Old Testament’s book of Exodus, and one from the New Testament’s gospel of Matthew. Our Catholic tradition believes that these are not competing images of God, but complementary pictures of the same Trinitarian God.
Today's Mass Readings
These days, the term “fear of God” has become lost to us. You may have heard the commonplace assertion that the “God” of the Old Testament is angry and scary, in contrast with the “God” of the New Testament who is loving and kind. Today we have two readings, one from the Old Testament’s book of Exodus, and one from the New Testament’s gospel of Matthew. Our Catholic tradition believes that these are not competing images of God, but complementary pictures of the same Trinitarian God.