Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God
Today's Mass Readings
Today on the secular calendar, we celebrate the New Year. The traditional celebrations involve such things as champagne and football bowl games. But in the Catholic year, our new year began with the season of Advent, about one month ago. And the Catholic traditional celebration is to dedicate this first day of the secular year to the woman who made Advent and Christmas possible, namely, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Today's Mass Readings
Today on the secular calendar, we celebrate the New Year. The traditional celebrations involve such things as champagne and football bowl games. But in the Catholic year, our new year began with the season of Advent, about one month ago. And the Catholic traditional celebration is to dedicate this first day of the secular year to the woman who made Advent and Christmas possible, namely, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Seventh Day in the Octave of Christmas
Today's Mass Readings
It was early afternoon on December 25th and we were driving to our relative’s house. On the way there, we noticed a Christmas tree wrapped up on the curb for the garbage men. My children asked, “Is Christmas over already?” The readings today might best be understood in connection with the New Year beginning tomorrow; however the understanding of Christmas is still relevant here as well. For the materialist world, Christmas is over; therefore the tree goes out after the presents have been opened. The radio stations that have played Christmas music for over a month, stopped five days ago. Yet for Catholic Christians, we are not yet half way through the Christmas season.
Today's Mass Readings
It was early afternoon on December 25th and we were driving to our relative’s house. On the way there, we noticed a Christmas tree wrapped up on the curb for the garbage men. My children asked, “Is Christmas over already?” The readings today might best be understood in connection with the New Year beginning tomorrow; however the understanding of Christmas is still relevant here as well. For the materialist world, Christmas is over; therefore the tree goes out after the presents have been opened. The radio stations that have played Christmas music for over a month, stopped five days ago. Yet for Catholic Christians, we are not yet half way through the Christmas season.
The Sixth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel reading is a simple reading that has one more prophetess confirm the identity of Jesus as the redeemer (Lk 2: 38). Don’t let the simplicity dupe you though. The names associated with Anna’s brief genealogy (Luke 2:35) is an important detail.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel reading is a simple reading that has one more prophetess confirm the identity of Jesus as the redeemer (Lk 2: 38). Don’t let the simplicity dupe you though. The names associated with Anna’s brief genealogy (Luke 2:35) is an important detail.
The Fifth Day in the Octave of Christmas
Today's Mass Readings
Today marks the fifth day in the octave of Christmas. While most of the world has now left Christmas behind, we continue to celebrate the birth of our savior: Merry Christmas!!! Our gospel passage from Luke continues our focus on the infant Jesus, and today we hear the beautiful story of Jesus’ presentation at the Temple, with a particular focus on the person of Simeon.
Today's Mass Readings
Today marks the fifth day in the octave of Christmas. While most of the world has now left Christmas behind, we continue to celebrate the birth of our savior: Merry Christmas!!! Our gospel passage from Luke continues our focus on the infant Jesus, and today we hear the beautiful story of Jesus’ presentation at the Temple, with a particular focus on the person of Simeon.
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. The New Testament does not give us much information about the family of Jesus. All we know is that his parents did bring him to the temple for the presentation as the Jewish custom prescribed. We also know that they went up each year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover and that Jesus grew in grace and wisdom. Without speculating much, I think that that much information is good enough for us to draw some very useful conclusions.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Family. The New Testament does not give us much information about the family of Jesus. All we know is that his parents did bring him to the temple for the presentation as the Jewish custom prescribed. We also know that they went up each year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover and that Jesus grew in grace and wisdom. Without speculating much, I think that that much information is good enough for us to draw some very useful conclusions.
Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the feast of John the evangelist. The first reading (1 John 1:5- 2:2), although named after John was probably written by a presbyter who belonged to John’s community. John’s community was radically faithful to the gospel message, but divisions were beginning to emerge. Some prominent people in the community had abandoned the community when their presence was most needed.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the feast of John the evangelist. The first reading (1 John 1:5- 2:2), although named after John was probably written by a presbyter who belonged to John’s community. John’s community was radically faithful to the gospel message, but divisions were beginning to emerge. Some prominent people in the community had abandoned the community when their presence was most needed.
Feast of Saint Stephen, first martyr
Today's Mass Readings
Today marks the Feast of St. Stephen. Stephen was one of the first deacons in the church, after the apostles appointed seven people to help distribute money and goods to the poor (See Acts 6:5). But Stephen was also a great preacher, and he had many arguments with people in his day over the fact that Jesus is Lord. After a trial before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council that also arrested and tried Jesus), Stephen was taken and stoned, and during his martyrdom he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Stephen is thus the first recorded martyr of the church, and his witness influenced many hundreds of others who were willing to die for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Today's Mass Readings
Today marks the Feast of St. Stephen. Stephen was one of the first deacons in the church, after the apostles appointed seven people to help distribute money and goods to the poor (See Acts 6:5). But Stephen was also a great preacher, and he had many arguments with people in his day over the fact that Jesus is Lord. After a trial before the Sanhedrin (the Jewish council that also arrested and tried Jesus), Stephen was taken and stoned, and during his martyrdom he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Stephen is thus the first recorded martyr of the church, and his witness influenced many hundreds of others who were willing to die for their faith in Jesus Christ.
The Nativity of the Lord
Today's Mass Readings
Merry Christmas! Today is born our savior! And, indeed, that one expression, “Merry Christmas,” expresses what all Christians ought to feel on this day: merriness, the true joy that comes with knowing God’s love made flesh and brought to us by the Blessed Virgin Mary in a humble stable in Bethlehem. Though there are three choices of readings today, depending on whether Mass is at midnight, at dawn, or during the day, each selection reflects this great joy in God’s love and mercy represented by this tremendous event of Jesus’ birth.
Today's Mass Readings
Merry Christmas! Today is born our savior! And, indeed, that one expression, “Merry Christmas,” expresses what all Christians ought to feel on this day: merriness, the true joy that comes with knowing God’s love made flesh and brought to us by the Blessed Virgin Mary in a humble stable in Bethlehem. Though there are three choices of readings today, depending on whether Mass is at midnight, at dawn, or during the day, each selection reflects this great joy in God’s love and mercy represented by this tremendous event of Jesus’ birth.
Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
While sugarplums dance in the minds of children and many of us are exhausted from our preparations for Christmas, Advent still has one last message for us. The first reading from Samuel describes David as settling into his new palace, and yet thinking about the Ark of God residing in a tent. Although David’s desire to build a temple is strong, God sends David a message through Nathan. The message states that God has watched over David and all of Israel and will continue to do so. Nathan is trying to remind David that the Lord is in charge. God through Nathan makes a promise to David. The promise is that the House of David shall endure forever and that God “will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and will make his Kingdom firm.”(2 Sam 7:12b)
Today's Mass Readings
While sugarplums dance in the minds of children and many of us are exhausted from our preparations for Christmas, Advent still has one last message for us. The first reading from Samuel describes David as settling into his new palace, and yet thinking about the Ark of God residing in a tent. Although David’s desire to build a temple is strong, God sends David a message through Nathan. The message states that God has watched over David and all of Israel and will continue to do so. Nathan is trying to remind David that the Lord is in charge. God through Nathan makes a promise to David. The promise is that the House of David shall endure forever and that God “will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins, and will make his Kingdom firm.”(2 Sam 7:12b)
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readinga
Today's readings from the Book of the Prophet Malachi and from the Gospel of Luke both have to do with John the Baptist. In the first reading from Malachi, we here about Elijah coming before the day of the Lord. In the Gospels, Jesus explains that John the Baptist has come in the spirit of Elijah.
Today's Mass Readinga
Today's readings from the Book of the Prophet Malachi and from the Gospel of Luke both have to do with John the Baptist. In the first reading from Malachi, we here about Elijah coming before the day of the Lord. In the Gospels, Jesus explains that John the Baptist has come in the spirit of Elijah.
Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Christmas is rapidly approaching as we begin this last week of Advent. Our readings today turn our focus to joy, the joy of knowing that God is on our side: he loves us, he answers our prayers, and he comes to live among us. Hence the psalm response is taken from the book of Samuel, “My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior!” (cf. 1 Sam 2:1).
Today's Mass Readings
Christmas is rapidly approaching as we begin this last week of Advent. Our readings today turn our focus to joy, the joy of knowing that God is on our side: he loves us, he answers our prayers, and he comes to live among us. Hence the psalm response is taken from the book of Samuel, “My heart exults in the Lord, my Savior!” (cf. 1 Sam 2:1).
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading, David wants to build a house for God. David was the second King of Israel. Under him the kingdom of Israel has expanded and stabilized. David even moved the capital of his kingdom to Jerusalem. To his credit, even in the peak of his reign, he did not forget that the reason for the relative peace and stability that the kingdom was experiencing was in the final analysis, God’s work on behalf of the people of Israel.
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading, David wants to build a house for God. David was the second King of Israel. Under him the kingdom of Israel has expanded and stabilized. David even moved the capital of his kingdom to Jerusalem. To his credit, even in the peak of his reign, he did not forget that the reason for the relative peace and stability that the kingdom was experiencing was in the final analysis, God’s work on behalf of the people of Israel.
Saturday of the Third Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Advent is a time of preparation. For four weeks, we are constantly readying ourselves for the coming of Christ. We are focused on the fact that soon (and very soon) we are going to see the King. Yet, while we are so deeply engaged in our own self-preparation, we can easily overlook one of the most inspiring mysteries of our Faith: That God chose to allow human beings to cooperate in the salvation of the human race. This mystery reaches perfection in the Incarnation, when God became a human being in Jesus Christ, and so it is among the things that we ought to consciously celebrate next week.
Today's Mass Readings
Advent is a time of preparation. For four weeks, we are constantly readying ourselves for the coming of Christ. We are focused on the fact that soon (and very soon) we are going to see the King. Yet, while we are so deeply engaged in our own self-preparation, we can easily overlook one of the most inspiring mysteries of our Faith: That God chose to allow human beings to cooperate in the salvation of the human race. This mystery reaches perfection in the Incarnation, when God became a human being in Jesus Christ, and so it is among the things that we ought to consciously celebrate next week.
Thursday of the Third Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
In this late Advent weekday, our focus is turned more fully on the coming of Jesus as an infant born in Bethlehem. Today we hear proclaimed the gospel passage from Matthew. In this selection, Joseph receives a dream telling him not to divorce her, although he knows she is pregnant and it is not from him. The message from the angel convinces Joseph to marry his betrothed, and this story also is crucial for us who strive to understand who Jesus is. All who hear this gospel proclaimed are to understand that this babe will save his people from their sins; he is Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
Today's Mass Readings
In this late Advent weekday, our focus is turned more fully on the coming of Jesus as an infant born in Bethlehem. Today we hear proclaimed the gospel passage from Matthew. In this selection, Joseph receives a dream telling him not to divorce her, although he knows she is pregnant and it is not from him. The message from the angel convinces Joseph to marry his betrothed, and this story also is crucial for us who strive to understand who Jesus is. All who hear this gospel proclaimed are to understand that this babe will save his people from their sins; he is Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
Friday of the Third Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Children have a funny place in our culture. On the one hand, there is a belief among some that adding children to our burgeoning population is evil, because more people equals more environmental devastation. To others they are noisy and annoying; when they grow to be teenagers they will be dangerous; then they will be lazy young adults who use the world’s resources but give nothing back.
Today's Mass Readings
Children have a funny place in our culture. On the one hand, there is a belief among some that adding children to our burgeoning population is evil, because more people equals more environmental devastation. To others they are noisy and annoying; when they grow to be teenagers they will be dangerous; then they will be lazy young adults who use the world’s resources but give nothing back.
Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today remind us of the breadth of salvation history. Jacob, whom God has renamed Israel is dying. He calls his sons together and tells them that Judah will be the number one son after he is gone. Indeed Jacob says, “You, Judah, your brothers shall praise.“ (Gen. 49:8). This is a play on words as Judah means “you shall be praised”, however it alludes to the prominent role which the tribe of Judah will play. In Judah is found Jerusalem and from Judah arises King David, through whose lineage Jesus comes to us.
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today remind us of the breadth of salvation history. Jacob, whom God has renamed Israel is dying. He calls his sons together and tells them that Judah will be the number one son after he is gone. Indeed Jacob says, “You, Judah, your brothers shall praise.“ (Gen. 49:8). This is a play on words as Judah means “you shall be praised”, however it alludes to the prominent role which the tribe of Judah will play. In Judah is found Jerusalem and from Judah arises King David, through whose lineage Jesus comes to us.
Tuesday of the Third Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Today's first reading from the Book of the Prophet Zepheniah goes well with the Gospel reading from Matthew's Gospel, although they may not at first appear to go together at all.
Today's Mass Readings
Today's first reading from the Book of the Prophet Zepheniah goes well with the Gospel reading from Matthew's Gospel, although they may not at first appear to go together at all.
Monday of the Third Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
In this penultimate week of the liturgical season of Advent, we find ourselves with first readings taken from a selection of Old Testament books. These passages will highlight the Christological reading of the Old Testament; in other words, we find the coming of Jesus foretold in the books of the Hebrew Scriptures which became known as our “Old Testament” and which were written centuries before the birth of the infant Jesus.
Today's Mass Readings
In this penultimate week of the liturgical season of Advent, we find ourselves with first readings taken from a selection of Old Testament books. These passages will highlight the Christological reading of the Old Testament; in other words, we find the coming of Jesus foretold in the books of the Hebrew Scriptures which became known as our “Old Testament” and which were written centuries before the birth of the infant Jesus.
Third Sunday of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
The first and the second readings today talk about joy. Isaiah says in today’s first reading, “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul” (Is 61:10). St. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always” (1 Thes 5:16). The intriguing thing is that both Isaiah and St. Paul faced immense hardships and their life and ministry posed many dangers to them, including the danger of losing their lives. And yet they talk about JOY!
Today's Mass Readings
The first and the second readings today talk about joy. Isaiah says in today’s first reading, “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul” (Is 61:10). St. Paul exhorts the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always” (1 Thes 5:16). The intriguing thing is that both Isaiah and St. Paul faced immense hardships and their life and ministry posed many dangers to them, including the danger of losing their lives. And yet they talk about JOY!
Memorial of Saint Lucy
Today's Mass Readings
Over the past week, the figures of Mary and John the Baptist have been given special attention in the readings. Obviously, this is due to the special vocation that they each had in preparing the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. In both cases, it was a preparation which was central to their existence, encompassing the entirety of their lives and giving them their purpose. We celebrated the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary this week in order to remember that she was, through out her entire life, the embodiment of the world’s preparation for the coming of Christ. And, in her visit to St. Elizabeth, we have seen that she brings the Spirit of God to John the Baptist, for he leaps in the womb of his own mother upon hearing the voice of the soon to be Mother of God. And so, he who will be the forerunner of Christ, the one who will prepare the way of the Lord, is himself first prepared from the womb. He is prepared through the arrival of she who was preserved from the stain of original sin from first moment of her conception.
Today's Mass Readings
Over the past week, the figures of Mary and John the Baptist have been given special attention in the readings. Obviously, this is due to the special vocation that they each had in preparing the world for the Lord Jesus Christ. In both cases, it was a preparation which was central to their existence, encompassing the entirety of their lives and giving them their purpose. We celebrated the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary this week in order to remember that she was, through out her entire life, the embodiment of the world’s preparation for the coming of Christ. And, in her visit to St. Elizabeth, we have seen that she brings the Spirit of God to John the Baptist, for he leaps in the womb of his own mother upon hearing the voice of the soon to be Mother of God. And so, he who will be the forerunner of Christ, the one who will prepare the way of the Lord, is himself first prepared from the womb. He is prepared through the arrival of she who was preserved from the stain of original sin from first moment of her conception.