Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Reading
In a little more than a week we will celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, when the disciples receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides the Church in continuing the work of Christ. This feast is the conclusion of the fifty days of the Easter season. For now, we continue to celebrate the great mystery of Easter.
Today's Mass Reading
In a little more than a week we will celebrate the great feast of Pentecost, when the disciples receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides the Church in continuing the work of Christ. This feast is the conclusion of the fifty days of the Easter season. For now, we continue to celebrate the great mystery of Easter.
Friday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
I am a teacher, and like many teachers (and probably many other professions!), I get discouraged this time of year because it feels like my students didn’t learn much from me, and it seems that they don’t appreciate what I’m trying to help them do. But every once in a while (a looooong while), I hear from former students whose responses knock my socks off and make me feel like maybe being a teacher is something worthwhile after all. Today’s readings put us in a similar frame of mind.
Today's Mass Readings
I am a teacher, and like many teachers (and probably many other professions!), I get discouraged this time of year because it feels like my students didn’t learn much from me, and it seems that they don’t appreciate what I’m trying to help them do. But every once in a while (a looooong while), I hear from former students whose responses knock my socks off and make me feel like maybe being a teacher is something worthwhile after all. Today’s readings put us in a similar frame of mind.
Thursday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
The psalm response for today is “The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power” (Ps. 98:2b). This theme emerges in the two readings for the day.
The first reading continues the adventure story of the early church, which we have been following throughout this entire Easter season. Today’s passage shares the story of Paul in Corinth, residing with Priscilla and Aquila, who share his trade in tentmaking. While this is Paul’s occupation in Corinth, his more important work is to share the gospel message with Jews and Gentiles alike. Today’s passage ends with a note on Paul’s success: a synagogue official name Crispus came to believe in Jesus, as did many Corinthians who were baptized.
Today's Mass Readings
The psalm response for today is “The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power” (Ps. 98:2b). This theme emerges in the two readings for the day.
The first reading continues the adventure story of the early church, which we have been following throughout this entire Easter season. Today’s passage shares the story of Paul in Corinth, residing with Priscilla and Aquila, who share his trade in tentmaking. While this is Paul’s occupation in Corinth, his more important work is to share the gospel message with Jews and Gentiles alike. Today’s passage ends with a note on Paul’s success: a synagogue official name Crispus came to believe in Jesus, as did many Corinthians who were baptized.
Wednesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s reading from Acts of the Apostles shows us that modern marketing is not so contemporary. St. Paul’s example today gives us a solid foundation to understand evangelization, the Church’s marketing technique.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s reading from Acts of the Apostles shows us that modern marketing is not so contemporary. St. Paul’s example today gives us a solid foundation to understand evangelization, the Church’s marketing technique.
Tuesday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
In today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, God rescues St.Paul and his companion Silas from Roman prison. But then St. Paul does something surprising. As the Roman guard was about to commit suicide, St.Paul stops him. The guard sees that he is unable to keep them bound. He asks the question, "what must I do to be saved?" (16:30).
Today's Mass Readings
In today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles, God rescues St.Paul and his companion Silas from Roman prison. But then St. Paul does something surprising. As the Roman guard was about to commit suicide, St.Paul stops him. The guard sees that he is unable to keep them bound. He asks the question, "what must I do to be saved?" (16:30).
Monday of the Sixth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
In today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles we encounter Paul and his companions filled with the Spirit of God and spreading the Good News of Jesus. Paul and his companions find welcome listeners among some women, and Lydia, who is one of these kind women receives baptism and invites them to stay at her home. Just yesterday, in the Sunday gospel reading, Jesus had promised that he would send an "advocate" to help his disciples. We see that promise being fulfilled in the life of the Church.
Today's Mass Readings
In today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles we encounter Paul and his companions filled with the Spirit of God and spreading the Good News of Jesus. Paul and his companions find welcome listeners among some women, and Lydia, who is one of these kind women receives baptism and invites them to stay at her home. Just yesterday, in the Sunday gospel reading, Jesus had promised that he would send an "advocate" to help his disciples. We see that promise being fulfilled in the life of the Church.
Sixth Sunday of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings begin by emphasizing the fact that the Gospel message is intended for all nations and end by providing that one consequence of this unqualified gift is that we are commanded to “love one another.” For many of us, our daily experience is that we find it difficult to have this depth of caring about individuals outside of our friends and family. While the bond between friends and family can be quickly identified, it is easy to forget that we have that same bond with others through Christ. My reflection focuses on how that bond is explained to us in our readings.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings begin by emphasizing the fact that the Gospel message is intended for all nations and end by providing that one consequence of this unqualified gift is that we are commanded to “love one another.” For many of us, our daily experience is that we find it difficult to have this depth of caring about individuals outside of our friends and family. While the bond between friends and family can be quickly identified, it is easy to forget that we have that same bond with others through Christ. My reflection focuses on how that bond is explained to us in our readings.
Friday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”
Today’s gospel reading (John 15:12-17) seems to offer a very simple idea: love one another. When some sort of fight breaks out, or even when minor everyday arguments happen, I often hear bystanders say: “If only they would just love one another a little more.” Or – how many amateur political commentators have read stories about the Israel/Palestine conflict or other conflicts around the globe and asked, “Can’t we all just get along? If we just love each other, things would be a lot better.”
True…perhaps.
Today's Mass Readings
“This is my commandment: love one another as I love you.”
Today’s gospel reading (John 15:12-17) seems to offer a very simple idea: love one another. When some sort of fight breaks out, or even when minor everyday arguments happen, I often hear bystanders say: “If only they would just love one another a little more.” Or – how many amateur political commentators have read stories about the Israel/Palestine conflict or other conflicts around the globe and asked, “Can’t we all just get along? If we just love each other, things would be a lot better.”
True…perhaps.
Saturday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
There are several interesting elements in today’s three Readings that are worth noting, all of which link in some way to the Christian concept of discipleship.
In our First Reading, St. Paul encounters Timothy and decides to take him as a traveling companion. Timothy is himself both Jew and Gentile, having a Jewish mother (which is the general requirement for membership in the Jewish community) and a Gentile father. Through his parentage, Timothy seems to represent the Church of this period, which is growing community of both Jews and Gentiles. St. Paul, who will elsewhere argue vehemently against the need for Gentile Christians to become Jews, ends up having Timothy circumcised. This strange decision is presumably reached so that there will be no doubt about Timothy’s status within the Covenant, so that Timothy will be accepted by those to whom he is called to serve as a messenger. As these disciples travel about relaying the decisions of the Council of Jerusalem (that were reached in the previous chapter), the faith of the Christian community grows.
Today's Mass Readings
There are several interesting elements in today’s three Readings that are worth noting, all of which link in some way to the Christian concept of discipleship.
In our First Reading, St. Paul encounters Timothy and decides to take him as a traveling companion. Timothy is himself both Jew and Gentile, having a Jewish mother (which is the general requirement for membership in the Jewish community) and a Gentile father. Through his parentage, Timothy seems to represent the Church of this period, which is growing community of both Jews and Gentiles. St. Paul, who will elsewhere argue vehemently against the need for Gentile Christians to become Jews, ends up having Timothy circumcised. This strange decision is presumably reached so that there will be no doubt about Timothy’s status within the Covenant, so that Timothy will be accepted by those to whom he is called to serve as a messenger. As these disciples travel about relaying the decisions of the Council of Jerusalem (that were reached in the previous chapter), the faith of the Christian community grows.
Feast of Saint Matthias, Apostle
Today's Mass Readings
During this Easter season, we have been following the life of the early church in the Acts of the Apostles. Today we have an opportunity to consider how the church dealt with Judas’ absence among the apostles after he betrayed Jesus, handing him over to be arrested and put to death. One important point we can take from this first reading is that Jesus’ disciples encompassed far more than his apostles. In other words, St. Matthias was a disciple first before becoming an apostle. He had followed Jesus along with other disciples, not because he had an important role, but because he believed in Jesus.
Today's Mass Readings
During this Easter season, we have been following the life of the early church in the Acts of the Apostles. Today we have an opportunity to consider how the church dealt with Judas’ absence among the apostles after he betrayed Jesus, handing him over to be arrested and put to death. One important point we can take from this first reading is that Jesus’ disciples encompassed far more than his apostles. In other words, St. Matthias was a disciple first before becoming an apostle. He had followed Jesus along with other disciples, not because he had an important role, but because he believed in Jesus.
Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today have both personal and communitarian implications. Whereas as the first reading and the events there in will prepare for the development of the Church, the gospel reading leads us to reflect on the personal lives of those who form the Christian community. In either case, the emphasis is on relationships.
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today have both personal and communitarian implications. Whereas as the first reading and the events there in will prepare for the development of the Church, the gospel reading leads us to reflect on the personal lives of those who form the Christian community. In either case, the emphasis is on relationships.
Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
In today's Gospel reading from John, Jesus addresses His disciples with the words, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (14:27). Jesus’ next comment, however, seems a little confusing at first glance: “Not as the world gives do I give it to you” (14:27).
Today's Mass Readings
In today's Gospel reading from John, Jesus addresses His disciples with the words, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (14:27). Jesus’ next comment, however, seems a little confusing at first glance: “Not as the world gives do I give it to you” (14:27).
Monday of the Fifth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles goes together nicely with the responsorial Psalm: Not to us Lord, but to your name give the glory” (Ps115:1). In a sense, this verse from Psalm 115 is a kind of summary of what Paul and Barnabas are trying to teach the people of Lystra. Furthermore, they are trying to explain the message about Jesus. They are preaching the gospel at Lystra, but confusion ensues when Paul heals a crippled man. The crowd thinks that Paul and Barnabas are themselves gods, specifically manifestations of the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles goes together nicely with the responsorial Psalm: Not to us Lord, but to your name give the glory” (Ps115:1). In a sense, this verse from Psalm 115 is a kind of summary of what Paul and Barnabas are trying to teach the people of Lystra. Furthermore, they are trying to explain the message about Jesus. They are preaching the gospel at Lystra, but confusion ensues when Paul heals a crippled man. The crowd thinks that Paul and Barnabas are themselves gods, specifically manifestations of the Greek gods Zeus and Hermes.
Fifth Sunday of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
From time to time people argue that the world would be a better place if we could only eliminate all religions. Recently, a number of books have been published that argue that religion, in general, is a negative force that restrains societies from improving the welfare of their citizens. The argument is that no matter what happens, people simply resign themselves to the fact that it was God’s will; they become complacent and make no effort to go into the world and improve it. The faithful literally turn their lives over to God and wait for him to do something. This line of thought is a gross misunderstanding of religion and particularly Christianity. Today’s readings highlight the depth of that misunderstanding.
Today's Mass Readings
From time to time people argue that the world would be a better place if we could only eliminate all religions. Recently, a number of books have been published that argue that religion, in general, is a negative force that restrains societies from improving the welfare of their citizens. The argument is that no matter what happens, people simply resign themselves to the fact that it was God’s will; they become complacent and make no effort to go into the world and improve it. The faithful literally turn their lives over to God and wait for him to do something. This line of thought is a gross misunderstanding of religion and particularly Christianity. Today’s readings highlight the depth of that misunderstanding.
Saturday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
“All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God,” announces the response of today’s psalm.. We hear these words today immediately after we hear the story of Paul and Barnabas and the great mission to the gentiles. Gentiles, that is non-Jews, were generally regarded by Jews as outside of God’s saving power. Therefore, Jesus’ universal call, including Jews and Gentiles, is one of the most distinctive things about Him. He came from the Jewish tradition and He’s very clearly rooted in it, but His mission is universal.
Today's Mass Readings
“All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of God,” announces the response of today’s psalm.. We hear these words today immediately after we hear the story of Paul and Barnabas and the great mission to the gentiles. Gentiles, that is non-Jews, were generally regarded by Jews as outside of God’s saving power. Therefore, Jesus’ universal call, including Jews and Gentiles, is one of the most distinctive things about Him. He came from the Jewish tradition and He’s very clearly rooted in it, but His mission is universal.
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today speak to us about a threefold understanding of mission. The mission of course is proclaiming the Gospel message to the ends of the Earth.
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today speak to us about a threefold understanding of mission. The mission of course is proclaiming the Gospel message to the ends of the Earth.
Thursday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from Acts, St. Paul goes through salvation history for his audience, showing how Jesus is the culmination of this saving history. The context for this passage is a Jewish synagogue. The synagogue in which St. Paul and his companions find themselves is composed of Jews and Gentiles who have either converted to Judaism or at least follow Judaism to some degree.
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from Acts, St. Paul goes through salvation history for his audience, showing how Jesus is the culmination of this saving history. The context for this passage is a Jewish synagogue. The synagogue in which St. Paul and his companions find themselves is composed of Jews and Gentiles who have either converted to Judaism or at least follow Judaism to some degree.
Friday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s passage from Acts, (13:26-33) Paul mentions that, despite hearing prophecies in the synagogues on Saturdays, the people didn’t recognize Jesus. These are pretty strong words coming from someone like Paul. As we learned from last Friday’s reading, in his earlier “bad” days, Paul was Saul, persecutor of the Christians who was SURE that these Christians were lying, or at least delusional, about who Jesus is. The old Saul might well have thought, “Of course they didn’t recognize Jesus! The Old Testament prophecies are about something else! Those Christians aren’t reading scripture well.” Or, “Jesus didn’t follow the law – he didn’t look holy, so he couldn’t have been the Son of God.”
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s passage from Acts, (13:26-33) Paul mentions that, despite hearing prophecies in the synagogues on Saturdays, the people didn’t recognize Jesus. These are pretty strong words coming from someone like Paul. As we learned from last Friday’s reading, in his earlier “bad” days, Paul was Saul, persecutor of the Christians who was SURE that these Christians were lying, or at least delusional, about who Jesus is. The old Saul might well have thought, “Of course they didn’t recognize Jesus! The Old Testament prophecies are about something else! Those Christians aren’t reading scripture well.” Or, “Jesus didn’t follow the law – he didn’t look holy, so he couldn’t have been the Son of God.”
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
The readings for today pertain to the idea of unity in the kingdom of God. God chose Israel from among the nations to bring the nations back to God. Israel became a kingdom, to bring in the world's kingdoms together in spiritual unity. When we open up the Bible’s earliest pages, we find that we are all part of one family. But this family has split apart through divisions and strife. God chose Israel to bring back the family scattered through sin. Indeed, the Prophets foretell a time when the Gentiles would worship God with the Israelites, and indeed would be among Israel’s priests (e.g., Isaiah 56:6). This in fact is one of the messages of today’s responsorial psalm (87:4-5). Israel herself was torn to pieces during the divided kingdom, and the northern kingdom was lost forever among the Gentiles.
Today's Mass Readings
The readings for today pertain to the idea of unity in the kingdom of God. God chose Israel from among the nations to bring the nations back to God. Israel became a kingdom, to bring in the world's kingdoms together in spiritual unity. When we open up the Bible’s earliest pages, we find that we are all part of one family. But this family has split apart through divisions and strife. God chose Israel to bring back the family scattered through sin. Indeed, the Prophets foretell a time when the Gentiles would worship God with the Israelites, and indeed would be among Israel’s priests (e.g., Isaiah 56:6). This in fact is one of the messages of today’s responsorial psalm (87:4-5). Israel herself was torn to pieces during the divided kingdom, and the northern kingdom was lost forever among the Gentiles.
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus makes two comments that would be unexpected for His audience. The first unexpected comment is when Jesus remarks that, “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Now, anyone who took a minute to think about this would realize that Jesus’ statement makes little sense. What shepherd would lay down their own life to save their sheep? They might risk their life if they thought they had a good chance of surviving and protecting their sheep, but this is a far cry from laying down their life. Jesus, however, is pointing out that He is the Good Shepherd Who lays down His life for His flock. He is good in a way that no other shepherd could be. And furthermore, He will regain His life after He lays it down.
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus makes two comments that would be unexpected for His audience. The first unexpected comment is when Jesus remarks that, “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Now, anyone who took a minute to think about this would realize that Jesus’ statement makes little sense. What shepherd would lay down their own life to save their sheep? They might risk their life if they thought they had a good chance of surviving and protecting their sheep, but this is a far cry from laying down their life. Jesus, however, is pointing out that He is the Good Shepherd Who lays down His life for His flock. He is good in a way that no other shepherd could be. And furthermore, He will regain His life after He lays it down.