Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales, bishop and doctor of the Church
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s Gospel strikes firmly and in brief. We are left with the words of Jesus’ relatives, “He is out of his mind” (Mark 3:21).
If we explore the passage immediately preceding it, we are presented with an interesting contrast. Right before today’s gospel passage, as we heard in yesterday’s gospel, Jesus ascends to the top of a mountain and appoints his twelve apostles so that “they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons” (Mark 3:14). Often in the Scriptures, really important events occur on the top of mountains: the Sermon on the Mount, which mirrors Moses’ reception of the Ten Commandments on Sinai, Moses and the Burning Bush, the Transfiguration. We know, then, that Jesus’ naming those who would be his closest companions and stand at the beginning of the Church is really important.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s Gospel strikes firmly and in brief. We are left with the words of Jesus’ relatives, “He is out of his mind” (Mark 3:21).
If we explore the passage immediately preceding it, we are presented with an interesting contrast. Right before today’s gospel passage, as we heard in yesterday’s gospel, Jesus ascends to the top of a mountain and appoints his twelve apostles so that “they might be with him and he might send them forth to preach and to have authority to drive out demons” (Mark 3:14). Often in the Scriptures, really important events occur on the top of mountains: the Sermon on the Mount, which mirrors Moses’ reception of the Ten Commandments on Sinai, Moses and the Burning Bush, the Transfiguration. We know, then, that Jesus’ naming those who would be his closest companions and stand at the beginning of the Church is really important.
Friday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today's passages highlight for me the importance of establishing a relationship and attachment to Jesus Christ. That attachment in turn leads us directly toward God because Jesus mediates that relationship.
Initially, the verse that stood out for me in today's reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (8:6-13) was: "[They] did not stand by my covenant and I ignored them, says the Lord." The author is quoting from the prophet Jeremiah. God's people did not uphold my covenant and so I (God) did not uphold my end of the bargain either. This is a rather despairing note to me – the idea that God would ignore people, any people.
Today's Mass Readings
Today's passages highlight for me the importance of establishing a relationship and attachment to Jesus Christ. That attachment in turn leads us directly toward God because Jesus mediates that relationship.
Initially, the verse that stood out for me in today's reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (8:6-13) was: "[They] did not stand by my covenant and I ignored them, says the Lord." The author is quoting from the prophet Jeremiah. God's people did not uphold my covenant and so I (God) did not uphold my end of the bargain either. This is a rather despairing note to me – the idea that God would ignore people, any people.
Thursday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Tody's Mass Readings
In the recent readings from the Gospel of Mark, we have seen crowds pressing in upon Jesus and various peoples – men, women, Jews, Gentiles, sinners, the righteous, etc. – pursuing him from various places. Today’s passage highlights the many geographical locations from which these people came to pursue Jesus. Why might all of these people have sought out Jesus? Was it simply out of a curiosity to see the miracles and wonders associated with him? Were they driven to him out of a great need, perhaps for healing?
Tody's Mass Readings
In the recent readings from the Gospel of Mark, we have seen crowds pressing in upon Jesus and various peoples – men, women, Jews, Gentiles, sinners, the righteous, etc. – pursuing him from various places. Today’s passage highlights the many geographical locations from which these people came to pursue Jesus. Why might all of these people have sought out Jesus? Was it simply out of a curiosity to see the miracles and wonders associated with him? Were they driven to him out of a great need, perhaps for healing?
Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin and martyr
Today's Mass Readings
This memorial of St. Agnes reminds us that sometimes there is a need to give our whole self to do the right thing. Popular belief has it that at an age around twelve, Agnes was placed in a brothel by Roman authorities. There she remained unharmed as those who desired her were said to have been blinded. Whether true or not, what Agnes is remembered for is standing up for her belief in Christ and being martyred for this purity and her steadfast faith.
Today's Mass Readings
This memorial of St. Agnes reminds us that sometimes there is a need to give our whole self to do the right thing. Popular belief has it that at an age around twelve, Agnes was placed in a brothel by Roman authorities. There she remained unharmed as those who desired her were said to have been blinded. Whether true or not, what Agnes is remembered for is standing up for her belief in Christ and being martyred for this purity and her steadfast faith.
Tuesday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today's Gospel reading is an interesting one. Some Pharisees accuse Jesus and His disciples of breaking the Sabbath, implying that He is allowing them to break Exodus 34 which prohibited the reaping and harvesting of grain (with reaping tools) on the Sabbath. In reality, Jesus' disciples were merely hand-picking grain to snack on (which was permitted even on the Sabbath by Deuteronomy 23).
Today's Mass Readings
Today's Gospel reading is an interesting one. Some Pharisees accuse Jesus and His disciples of breaking the Sabbath, implying that He is allowing them to break Exodus 34 which prohibited the reaping and harvesting of grain (with reaping tools) on the Sabbath. In reality, Jesus' disciples were merely hand-picking grain to snack on (which was permitted even on the Sabbath by Deuteronomy 23).
Monday of the Second Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, Jesus is presented as the high priest and connected to the many priests that came before him in the Jewish tradition. This line of priests includes Melchizedek, as the psalm reminds us.
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Hebrews, Jesus is presented as the high priest and connected to the many priests that came before him in the Jewish tradition. This line of priests includes Melchizedek, as the psalm reminds us.
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The theme of God’s call is perhaps the most common theme inthe scriptures. The reason is simple. Stories of God’s call to human beings occur quite frequently in the Scripture. There is the call of Abraham, the call of Moses, the call of Samuel in today’s first reading, the call of David, the call of Isaiah, the call of the Mary and the call of the Apostles in today’s gospel reading. And, if we compare these stories we realize that there are common threads that run through each of these stories.
Today's Mass Readings
The theme of God’s call is perhaps the most common theme inthe scriptures. The reason is simple. Stories of God’s call to human beings occur quite frequently in the Scripture. There is the call of Abraham, the call of Moses, the call of Samuel in today’s first reading, the call of David, the call of Isaiah, the call of the Mary and the call of the Apostles in today’s gospel reading. And, if we compare these stories we realize that there are common threads that run through each of these stories.
Saturday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from Hebrews, one cannot help but be struck by the immediate, natural personification (i.e. it’s able to do what people do) of the word of God: “The word of God is living and effective… able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him…” (Heb 4:12-13, my italics). God’s word is the subject of an action: it discerns. The “him” in the passage has no other clear referent besides “the word of God,” which is, of course, identified with God. The author, who wrote in Greek, was no doubt familiar with the Hebrew language in which the word “dabar” means not only “word,” but also “action” and “thing.” There is no easy distinction between the three – words are actions and they are alive!
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from Hebrews, one cannot help but be struck by the immediate, natural personification (i.e. it’s able to do what people do) of the word of God: “The word of God is living and effective… able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him…” (Heb 4:12-13, my italics). God’s word is the subject of an action: it discerns. The “him” in the passage has no other clear referent besides “the word of God,” which is, of course, identified with God. The author, who wrote in Greek, was no doubt familiar with the Hebrew language in which the word “dabar” means not only “word,” but also “action” and “thing.” There is no easy distinction between the three – words are actions and they are alive!
Friday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Todeay's Mass Readings
I find it difficult this time of year to quite transition into “Ordinary Time.” January feels like a time when the pace is stepped up – I have new obligations at work, in addition to finishing cleaning up from the holiday, paying bills, beginning to think about taxes (!) and constantly dealing with the snow, ice and cold that comes to us this time of year. Oh, and what about New Year’s Resolutions? There are even the new obligations I have placed on myself: get finances in order, lose weight, exercise more, et cetera.
Todeay's Mass Readings
I find it difficult this time of year to quite transition into “Ordinary Time.” January feels like a time when the pace is stepped up – I have new obligations at work, in addition to finishing cleaning up from the holiday, paying bills, beginning to think about taxes (!) and constantly dealing with the snow, ice and cold that comes to us this time of year. Oh, and what about New Year’s Resolutions? There are even the new obligations I have placed on myself: get finances in order, lose weight, exercise more, et cetera.
Thursday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In this first week of Ordinary Time, our readings seem to be focusing on the everyday, rather than those few special days, like Christmas and Easter. Our psalm today exhorts us not to harden our hearts if we should hear God’s voice, and the first reading from Paul’s letter to the Hebrews quotes that same passage. We are called to bow down in worship, kneel before our God who shepherds us and stay faithful to our journey.
Today's Mass Readings
In this first week of Ordinary Time, our readings seem to be focusing on the everyday, rather than those few special days, like Christmas and Easter. Our psalm today exhorts us not to harden our hearts if we should hear God’s voice, and the first reading from Paul’s letter to the Hebrews quotes that same passage. We are called to bow down in worship, kneel before our God who shepherds us and stay faithful to our journey.
Wednesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today fit well in this first week after Christmas season as they still speak loudly of the incarnation. Christ became one of us as attested by the Letter to the Hebrews. Jesus, “became like his brothers and sisters in every way,” (Hebrews 2:17) in order to be tested, so that he could help us who are tested. He became human in order to fully appreciate what it means to live in this world full of fear and slavery. Jesus is the “exact imprint of God’s very being.” (Hebrews 1:3). Therefore Jesus is human and divine. While this may seem an absurdity, Christians accept this paradox. Christ came to minister to the people of the covenant to not only feel their pain but in order to ultimately alleviate it.
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today fit well in this first week after Christmas season as they still speak loudly of the incarnation. Christ became one of us as attested by the Letter to the Hebrews. Jesus, “became like his brothers and sisters in every way,” (Hebrews 2:17) in order to be tested, so that he could help us who are tested. He became human in order to fully appreciate what it means to live in this world full of fear and slavery. Jesus is the “exact imprint of God’s very being.” (Hebrews 1:3). Therefore Jesus is human and divine. While this may seem an absurdity, Christians accept this paradox. Christ came to minister to the people of the covenant to not only feel their pain but in order to ultimately alleviate it.
Tuesday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today's readings go together marvelously well. In the first reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, we read about Jesus' identity as He to Whom all things have been subjected, but Who has humbled Himself through His suffering and death. In the responsorial psalm, we find Psalm 8, the psalm referred to by the first reading from Hebrews. Finally, in today's Gospel reading from the Gospel of Mark, we find again Jesus' divine identity at the center of the action.
Today's Mass Readings
Today's readings go together marvelously well. In the first reading from the Letter to the Hebrews, we read about Jesus' identity as He to Whom all things have been subjected, but Who has humbled Himself through His suffering and death. In the responsorial psalm, we find Psalm 8, the psalm referred to by the first reading from Hebrews. Finally, in today's Gospel reading from the Gospel of Mark, we find again Jesus' divine identity at the center of the action.
Monday of the First Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today we begin our season of what is called “Ordinary Time.” In our two-year cycle of daily Mass readings, this is Year I, and we will be reading semi-continuously from the gospels, beginning with Mark. Our first readings will also be semi-continuous from various biblical books. Today’s reading is from Paul’s letter to the Hebrews.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we begin our season of what is called “Ordinary Time.” In our two-year cycle of daily Mass readings, this is Year I, and we will be reading semi-continuously from the gospels, beginning with Mark. Our first readings will also be semi-continuous from various biblical books. Today’s reading is from Paul’s letter to the Hebrews.
The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord
Today's Mass Readings
On this the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, we ask two questions. Firstly, what was the need for Jesus to be baptized? And secondly, what did it achieve for him? I wish to answer these questions in three points.
Today's Mass Readings
On this the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, we ask two questions. Firstly, what was the need for Jesus to be baptized? And secondly, what did it achieve for him? I wish to answer these questions in three points.
Christmas Weekday
Today's Mass Readings
Since we have just celebrated Christmas, today’s reading (Hebrews 2: 14-18), is a great explication of the significance of the incarnation of Jesus.
Today's Mass Readings
Since we have just celebrated Christmas, today’s reading (Hebrews 2: 14-18), is a great explication of the significance of the incarnation of Jesus.
Christmas Weekday
Today's Mass Readings
We are still celebrating the joy of Christmas until the feast of the Lord’s Baptism this Sunday. I admit that I, for one, have often not thought much at all about Jesus’ baptism except to think of it as an historical event in Jesus’ life.
Today's Mass Readings
We are still celebrating the joy of Christmas until the feast of the Lord’s Baptism this Sunday. I admit that I, for one, have often not thought much at all about Jesus’ baptism except to think of it as an historical event in Jesus’ life.
Christmas Weekday
Today's Mass Readings
While most of our country has left Christmas behind, in the daily Mass readings and Catholic liturgical year, we continue to ponder the meaning of God’s coming among us. Today’s gospel passage from Luke provides us with a particularly vivid portrayal of what it means to have God – incarnated in the person of Jesus – among us. Luke describes Jesus as having gained some fame and a following; in particular Luke mentions Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue, which indicates Jesus’ knowledge of and commitment to the Jewish faith to which he belonged.
Today's Mass Readings
While most of our country has left Christmas behind, in the daily Mass readings and Catholic liturgical year, we continue to ponder the meaning of God’s coming among us. Today’s gospel passage from Luke provides us with a particularly vivid portrayal of what it means to have God – incarnated in the person of Jesus – among us. Luke describes Jesus as having gained some fame and a following; in particular Luke mentions Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue, which indicates Jesus’ knowledge of and commitment to the Jewish faith to which he belonged.
Christmas Weekday
Today's Mass Readings
The First letter from John reminds us that in loving one another, God lives in us. “Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8) In loving one another we acknowledge “the love God has for us.” (1 John 4:16b) Sometimes loving ourselves, let alone others is itself a challenge. Still loving one another is not optional, if we are to remain in God. In living faithfully the call to love one another, we grow closer to God and love itself is brought more into perfection in us.
Today's Mass Readings
The First letter from John reminds us that in loving one another, God lives in us. “Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” (1 John 4:8) In loving one another we acknowledge “the love God has for us.” (1 John 4:16b) Sometimes loving ourselves, let alone others is itself a challenge. Still loving one another is not optional, if we are to remain in God. In living faithfully the call to love one another, we grow closer to God and love itself is brought more into perfection in us.
Christmas Weekday
Today's Mass Readings
Although today’s first reading (1 Jn 5: 5-13) begins with v. 5, we must really begin with v. 4, which says: “…for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.”
Today's Mass Readings
Although today’s first reading (1 Jn 5: 5-13) begins with v. 5, we must really begin with v. 4, which says: “…for whoever is begotten by God conquers the world. And the victory that conquers the world is our faith.”
Memorial of Saint John Neumann
Today's Mass Readings
In the Catholic Church, we continue to celebrate Christmas this week. But while it is God’s coming among us that we embrace, our readings move us to consider Jesus among us as an adult, rather than simply as an infant. We can regard this as the next step of Christmas; the child who comes to us in a lowly manger now brings his message to the world as an adult priest, prophet, teacher, and Messiah.
Today's Mass Readings
In the Catholic Church, we continue to celebrate Christmas this week. But while it is God’s coming among us that we embrace, our readings move us to consider Jesus among us as an adult, rather than simply as an infant. We can regard this as the next step of Christmas; the child who comes to us in a lowly manger now brings his message to the world as an adult priest, prophet, teacher, and Messiah.