Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of both American continents. In 1531, Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego in Teypeyac, Mexico, and identified herself as Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus Christ. She made a request for a church to be built on that site, but the bishop requested a sign before he would do so. Juan Diego received roses (in December!) and a tilma (cloak) made of cactus cloth that depicts Our Lady, from Mary. The bishop did indeed build a church on that site, but moreover, Mary’s appearance to a Native American peasant in Mexico led to the conversions of thousands of others in the new world.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patroness of both American continents. In 1531, Our Lady appeared to Juan Diego in Teypeyac, Mexico, and identified herself as Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus Christ. She made a request for a church to be built on that site, but the bishop requested a sign before he would do so. Juan Diego received roses (in December!) and a tilma (cloak) made of cactus cloth that depicts Our Lady, from Mary. The bishop did indeed build a church on that site, but moreover, Mary’s appearance to a Native American peasant in Mexico led to the conversions of thousands of others in the new world.
Thursday of the Second Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
“The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and of great kindness” (Ps. 145:8). This is our response for today’s psalm, and it encapsulates one of the themes of Advent, namely God’s merciful gift in his Son Jesus, who will come to us as an infant at Christmas and who will come again at the end to claim all who belong to his kingdom.
Today's Mass Readings
“The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger and of great kindness” (Ps. 145:8). This is our response for today’s psalm, and it encapsulates one of the themes of Advent, namely God’s merciful gift in his Son Jesus, who will come to us as an infant at Christmas and who will come again at the end to claim all who belong to his kingdom.
Wednesday of the Second Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings almost break away thematically from the advent themes of preparation and waiting. Rather, it picks up the theme of rest and renewal. The focus is also on the One who will “renew their strength: (Is 40:31) and the One who will “give rest” (Mt 11:28). Both to the exiled people of Israel and the poor peasants of Jesus’ time, renewal and rest would be welcome news. But we are not in any less need of renewal and rest ourselves.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings almost break away thematically from the advent themes of preparation and waiting. Rather, it picks up the theme of rest and renewal. The focus is also on the One who will “renew their strength: (Is 40:31) and the One who will “give rest” (Mt 11:28). Both to the exiled people of Israel and the poor peasants of Jesus’ time, renewal and rest would be welcome news. But we are not in any less need of renewal and rest ourselves.
Tuesday of the Second Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
In today's first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we find the text the provides us the necessary background for understanding John the Baptist's role in the New Testament. John the Baptist is the voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord. But today's readings are not about John the Baptist, so why is this text here on the second Tuesday of Advent?
Today's Mass Readings
In today's first reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, we find the text the provides us the necessary background for understanding John the Baptist's role in the New Testament. John the Baptist is the voice crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way of the Lord. But today's readings are not about John the Baptist, so why is this text here on the second Tuesday of Advent?
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Today's Mass Readings
Today is an important day in the liturgical calendar of the Church. We celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is a Solemnity (the highest feast of the Church) and a holy day of obligation for us. To be clear, this feast does NOT celebrate the conception of Jesus, but rather the conception of Mary. Hence, in good liturgical and biological fashion, we find this feast situated exactly nine months prior to the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on September 8th.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is an important day in the liturgical calendar of the Church. We celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which is a Solemnity (the highest feast of the Church) and a holy day of obligation for us. To be clear, this feast does NOT celebrate the conception of Jesus, but rather the conception of Mary. Hence, in good liturgical and biological fashion, we find this feast situated exactly nine months prior to the feast of the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on September 8th.
Second Sunday of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Last Sunday we reflected on how the people of Israel, because they were unfaithful to the Covenant they made with God, were led into exile. We then said that the people evaluated their lives, they confessed their sin and they surrendered their lives to God. Their act of surrender was epitomized in their prayer, “We are the clay and you are the potter” (Is 64:7). In many ways, today’s first reading is a continuation of the story. Finally, the exile is about to end. I would like to suggest that in today’s readings, God presents to the people three things. First, he offers them comfort; second, he offers them a challenge; and third, he offers them a responsibility.
Today's Mass Readings
Last Sunday we reflected on how the people of Israel, because they were unfaithful to the Covenant they made with God, were led into exile. We then said that the people evaluated their lives, they confessed their sin and they surrendered their lives to God. Their act of surrender was epitomized in their prayer, “We are the clay and you are the potter” (Is 64:7). In many ways, today’s first reading is a continuation of the story. Finally, the exile is about to end. I would like to suggest that in today’s readings, God presents to the people three things. First, he offers them comfort; second, he offers them a challenge; and third, he offers them a responsibility.
Saturday of the First Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
We usually think of Christmas, not Advent, as the time of giving- but, really, all times are times of giving. Although we may not always realize it, we receive everything that we have as a gift from God. As the Creed insists, we believe in the God who is “creator of heaven and earth, of all that is- seen and unseen.” If we allow ourselves to seriously contemplate our own Faith, we find that we believe that everything stems from God’s giving. If this is true, then all of our experiences find their origin in God, who continuously sustains all things. Everything that we are and everything that we have- all of our lives have their source in the LORD God Almighty, who is the beginning and the end of everything that was, and is, and will be.
Today's Mass Readings
We usually think of Christmas, not Advent, as the time of giving- but, really, all times are times of giving. Although we may not always realize it, we receive everything that we have as a gift from God. As the Creed insists, we believe in the God who is “creator of heaven and earth, of all that is- seen and unseen.” If we allow ourselves to seriously contemplate our own Faith, we find that we believe that everything stems from God’s giving. If this is true, then all of our experiences find their origin in God, who continuously sustains all things. Everything that we are and everything that we have- all of our lives have their source in the LORD God Almighty, who is the beginning and the end of everything that was, and is, and will be.
Friday of the First Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Readings like the ones we have today seem to be unmitigated hopeful messages. The prophet Isaiah makes hopeful announcements of how the world will change when the Messiah comes! Isaiah proclaims that the deaf shall hear, and the eyes of the blind shall see, surely a very good thing (Isaiah 29:17-24). Even our bodies will become new and whole, when the Messiah comes. The Gospel reading continues the theme by telling of a time when Jesus healed two blind men and gave them sight (Matthew 9:27-31). Jesus is very clearly named as the Messiah, as the one who brings God’s justice in this passage. Matthew means for us to understand that Jesus is the one about whom Isaiah spoke. Here is the man, in the flesh! It is good news: the Messiah prophets proclaimed is really here!
Today's Mass Readings
Readings like the ones we have today seem to be unmitigated hopeful messages. The prophet Isaiah makes hopeful announcements of how the world will change when the Messiah comes! Isaiah proclaims that the deaf shall hear, and the eyes of the blind shall see, surely a very good thing (Isaiah 29:17-24). Even our bodies will become new and whole, when the Messiah comes. The Gospel reading continues the theme by telling of a time when Jesus healed two blind men and gave them sight (Matthew 9:27-31). Jesus is very clearly named as the Messiah, as the one who brings God’s justice in this passage. Matthew means for us to understand that Jesus is the one about whom Isaiah spoke. Here is the man, in the flesh! It is good news: the Messiah prophets proclaimed is really here!
Thursday of the First Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
In this first week of Advent, we continue the book of the prophet Isaiah and also continue with readings involving the Kingdom of Heaven, which was a prominent theme in the last few weeks of our liturgical year. Today’s selection from Isaiah speaks of triumph for those who have trusted in the Lord. Those nations who have lived God’s will find welcome in the strong and protected city. These people have lived the truth of God as their rock and hence find security in this rock. Meanwhile, other lofty cities are humbled as they fall to the ground to be trampled by the needy and the poor. We can understand these lofty cities as concerned more with their own success than in fidelity to God and hence charity to the lowest of their society.
Today's Mass Readings
In this first week of Advent, we continue the book of the prophet Isaiah and also continue with readings involving the Kingdom of Heaven, which was a prominent theme in the last few weeks of our liturgical year. Today’s selection from Isaiah speaks of triumph for those who have trusted in the Lord. Those nations who have lived God’s will find welcome in the strong and protected city. These people have lived the truth of God as their rock and hence find security in this rock. Meanwhile, other lofty cities are humbled as they fall to the ground to be trampled by the needy and the poor. We can understand these lofty cities as concerned more with their own success than in fidelity to God and hence charity to the lowest of their society.
Memorial of Saint Francis Xavier
Today's Mass Readings
The winter solstice is near as the days continue to get shorter. These short dark weeks of Advent seem almost a paradox. The coming of Christ happens at the darkest time of year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. As the night lengthens, the daylight shrinks. Yet it is in this very dreary time of year, that the Church places this season of great hope.
Today's Mass Readings
The winter solstice is near as the days continue to get shorter. These short dark weeks of Advent seem almost a paradox. The coming of Christ happens at the darkest time of year for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. As the night lengthens, the daylight shrinks. Yet it is in this very dreary time of year, that the Church places this season of great hope.
Tuesday of the First Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Advent is a season of hopeful and joyful anticipation. We might fast, we might take on certain spiritual exercises, but the attitude is different than during Lent. Advent is not a penitential season as such, rather such practices are in joyful expectation of the coming of our Lord at Christmas.
Today's Mass Readings
Advent is a season of hopeful and joyful anticipation. We might fast, we might take on certain spiritual exercises, but the attitude is different than during Lent. Advent is not a penitential season as such, rather such practices are in joyful expectation of the coming of our Lord at Christmas.
Monday of the First Week of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Yesterday we began our Advent journey in joyful anticipation of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our first readings will be from the book of the prophet Isaiah for these first two weeks of Advent. The book of the prophet Isaiah, of course, belongs to the Old Testament. It was written many, many years before the Incarnation of Jesus and his birth into the humble town of Bethlehem. And yet much of Isaiah is a prophesy precisely about Jesus, the sign of God-with-us, the embodiment of God’s love for his people.
Today's Mass Readings
Yesterday we began our Advent journey in joyful anticipation of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Our first readings will be from the book of the prophet Isaiah for these first two weeks of Advent. The book of the prophet Isaiah, of course, belongs to the Old Testament. It was written many, many years before the Incarnation of Jesus and his birth into the humble town of Bethlehem. And yet much of Isaiah is a prophesy precisely about Jesus, the sign of God-with-us, the embodiment of God’s love for his people.
First Sunday of Advent
Today's Mass Readings
Today we begin a very special time in the life of the Church – the season of Advent. This is also the beginning of a new liturgical year. The readings during this season remind us of God’s saving works on our behalf and remind us of our own role as the people of God.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we begin a very special time in the life of the Church – the season of Advent. This is also the beginning of a new liturgical year. The readings during this season remind us of God’s saving works on our behalf and remind us of our own role as the people of God.
Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Appropriately, on this final day of the liturgical year, we have reflections about the apocalypse, or the second coming of Jesus. “Apocalypse” in Greek literally means “revelation” or “pulling back the veil” (Hence the title of the last book of the Bible). We generally talk about “revelation” as the way that God makes Himself known to us – in Scripture and preeminently in Jesus Himself.
Today's Mass Readings
Appropriately, on this final day of the liturgical year, we have reflections about the apocalypse, or the second coming of Jesus. “Apocalypse” in Greek literally means “revelation” or “pulling back the veil” (Hence the title of the last book of the Bible). We generally talk about “revelation” as the way that God makes Himself known to us – in Scripture and preeminently in Jesus Himself.
Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In these last days of the liturgical year, the tone of our readings continues to rise to one of urgency. Both the first reading today from Revelation and the gospel passage from Luke convey this atmosphere of fear, judgment, and destruction. And yet both also convey redemption and salvation through Jesus the Lamb. This is the hopeful message in the midst of what might otherwise be simply utterly frightening passages in regard to the end times.
Today's Mass Readings
In these last days of the liturgical year, the tone of our readings continues to rise to one of urgency. Both the first reading today from Revelation and the gospel passage from Luke convey this atmosphere of fear, judgment, and destruction. And yet both also convey redemption and salvation through Jesus the Lamb. This is the hopeful message in the midst of what might otherwise be simply utterly frightening passages in regard to the end times.
Friday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
We are winding down another year in the Christian calendar. Our Christian new year begins Sunday with the first day of Advent, the time when we await Christ’s coming. Thinking of Advent as the “New Year” may seem a bit odd to us who are more familiar with doing a countdown and opening bottles of champagne at midnight. In my family, we have a special meal at the New Year, each food symbolically representing the kind of year we hope to have: corn for wealth, new potatoes for new endeavors, etc. Many of us write probably also write resolutions at the end of December, hoping that the next year will be a “new” year in the sense that we will become “new people” who will lose weight, go to the gym more, be more generous, and the like.
Today's Mass Readings
We are winding down another year in the Christian calendar. Our Christian new year begins Sunday with the first day of Advent, the time when we await Christ’s coming. Thinking of Advent as the “New Year” may seem a bit odd to us who are more familiar with doing a countdown and opening bottles of champagne at midnight. In my family, we have a special meal at the New Year, each food symbolically representing the kind of year we hope to have: corn for wealth, new potatoes for new endeavors, etc. Many of us write probably also write resolutions at the end of December, hoping that the next year will be a “new” year in the sense that we will become “new people” who will lose weight, go to the gym more, be more generous, and the like.
Wednesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today speak of persecution and fear, yet the overwhelming theme is one of triumph. The battle is won and the beast has been conquered. The scene described by the visionary is one of complete awe. The vision describes a song: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty.” (Rev. 15:3) As the song continues it asks, “Who will not fear you, Lord or glorify your name?” (Rev. 15:4) The word fear can also be translated awe. Either way, it is a question we need to answer for ourselves?
Today's Mass Readings
The readings today speak of persecution and fear, yet the overwhelming theme is one of triumph. The battle is won and the beast has been conquered. The scene described by the visionary is one of complete awe. The vision describes a song: “Great and wonderful are your works, Lord God almighty.” (Rev. 15:3) As the song continues it asks, “Who will not fear you, Lord or glorify your name?” (Rev. 15:4) The word fear can also be translated awe. Either way, it is a question we need to answer for ourselves?
Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the last Tuesday in Ordinary Time. Next Sunday marks the beginning of the new liturgical year. I'm sure many of us have a number of concerns regardless of our state in life. In today's Gospel reading from the Gospel of St. Luke, we find Jesus' predicting the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred in 70 A.D. For many Jews of the time, it was as if their world was being destroyed. To this very day, people at the remaining western wall of the Temple in Jerusalem can be heard literally wailing over the Temple's destruction.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the last Tuesday in Ordinary Time. Next Sunday marks the beginning of the new liturgical year. I'm sure many of us have a number of concerns regardless of our state in life. In today's Gospel reading from the Gospel of St. Luke, we find Jesus' predicting the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which occurred in 70 A.D. For many Jews of the time, it was as if their world was being destroyed. To this very day, people at the remaining western wall of the Temple in Jerusalem can be heard literally wailing over the Temple's destruction.
Memorial of Saint Andrew Dung-Lac
Today's Mass Readings
Just yesterday we celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King. Today’s readings lead us to reflect on how we all fit into this kingdom as the communion of saints, saved by Jesus the lamb and called to worship him in all we do. In our first reading from the Book of Revelation, we hear John’s description of all those saved by Jesus. The number 144,000 indicates a vast number of people; these people sing hymns of praise and follow the lamb wherever he goes. John describes them as “unblemished,” just as the Lamb has also been described as unblemished.
Today's Mass Readings
Just yesterday we celebrated the Solemnity of Christ the King. Today’s readings lead us to reflect on how we all fit into this kingdom as the communion of saints, saved by Jesus the lamb and called to worship him in all we do. In our first reading from the Book of Revelation, we hear John’s description of all those saved by Jesus. The number 144,000 indicates a vast number of people; these people sing hymns of praise and follow the lamb wherever he goes. John describes them as “unblemished,” just as the Lamb has also been described as unblemished.
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. There is nothing about today’s readings that makes us associate God with kingship, authority and power especially in the way we understand kingship, authority and power. In fact in the first reading God seems to be the anti-thesis of the kings of Israel.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. There is nothing about today’s readings that makes us associate God with kingship, authority and power especially in the way we understand kingship, authority and power. In fact in the first reading God seems to be the anti-thesis of the kings of Israel.