Wednesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The theme of the first reading these days may seem repetitive. As with the readings from Amos over the past week and as with the reading s of the last two days, today’s reading also focuses on Israel’s infidelity to the Covenant. In fact, the main purpose of the prophets was not so much to foretell the futures as we are often given to understand, but rather, to highlight the infidelity of the nation and call them to the original covenantal love and steadfastness. The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Hosea and a host of other prophets became God’s spokespersons communicating to the people God’s disappointment, God’s hurt, God’s frustration, God’s love and sometimes even God’s anger at a broken covenantal relationship.
Today's Mass Readings
The theme of the first reading these days may seem repetitive. As with the readings from Amos over the past week and as with the reading s of the last two days, today’s reading also focuses on Israel’s infidelity to the Covenant. In fact, the main purpose of the prophets was not so much to foretell the futures as we are often given to understand, but rather, to highlight the infidelity of the nation and call them to the original covenantal love and steadfastness. The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Amos, Hosea and a host of other prophets became God’s spokespersons communicating to the people God’s disappointment, God’s hurt, God’s frustration, God’s love and sometimes even God’s anger at a broken covenantal relationship.
Tuesday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from the Book of Hosea, we find one of the many predictions of the downfall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The North and South had split, and the 10 tribes of Israel in the North, being cut off from the Temple in Jerusalem, worshipped false gods on altars in multiple different places. God predicted their downfall, and that is exactly what happened. The Assyrians came in and wiped out the northern tribes, displacing them. It began in Samaria and what became known as Galilee. Approximately 200 years later, the Southern Kingdom of Judah was taken into exile by the Babylonians.
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from the Book of Hosea, we find one of the many predictions of the downfall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The North and South had split, and the 10 tribes of Israel in the North, being cut off from the Temple in Jerusalem, worshipped false gods on altars in multiple different places. God predicted their downfall, and that is exactly what happened. The Assyrians came in and wiped out the northern tribes, displacing them. It began in Samaria and what became known as Galilee. Approximately 200 years later, the Southern Kingdom of Judah was taken into exile by the Babylonians.
Monday of the Fourteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s powerful first reading comes to us from the book of the prophet Hosea. The prominent feature of this book is a description of God and his people Israel in the terms of marriage – husband and wife. God is the faithful lover, who wants to the best for his spouse but also wants to be loved in return. Today’s passage reflects this desire of God; God wants his people to love him passionately and to be faithful to him because of this love. Hosea is addressed to a people who have gone astray from this love for God. The people Israel have worshipped other gods, which Hosea will compare to adultery. In sum, what we see in this passage is that God loves us passionately and the proper return for this is our own whole-hearted love for God.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s powerful first reading comes to us from the book of the prophet Hosea. The prominent feature of this book is a description of God and his people Israel in the terms of marriage – husband and wife. God is the faithful lover, who wants to the best for his spouse but also wants to be loved in return. Today’s passage reflects this desire of God; God wants his people to love him passionately and to be faithful to him because of this love. Hosea is addressed to a people who have gone astray from this love for God. The people Israel have worshipped other gods, which Hosea will compare to adultery. In sum, what we see in this passage is that God loves us passionately and the proper return for this is our own whole-hearted love for God.
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Mt 11: 28-30). What does it mean for us to accept Christ's invitation to “meekness and humility"?
Today's Mass Readings
Jesus tells us, “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light” (Mt 11: 28-30). What does it mean for us to accept Christ's invitation to “meekness and humility"?
Saturday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from the book of the prophet Amos, we hear about God’s intentions to restore the people of Israel to their greatness, but we must understand that this reading comes from the very end of the book of Amos. Earlier, Amos impugns the Israelites for their lack of faithfulness to God and warns them of coming destruction. Indeed, Assyria would conquer Israel (the Northern Kingdom) in 721 BC, shortly after Amos’s prophetic career. Nevertheless, we are presented with this oracle of hope at the end of the book of Amos (Am 9:12). This word of hope, of peace in the moments of utter terror, stands in sharp contrast to the warring empire of Assyria that was coming to conquer Israel as a result of Israel’s disobedience to the covenant. Assyria left fear and trembling in its wake. God promises peace in the moment of desolation.
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from the book of the prophet Amos, we hear about God’s intentions to restore the people of Israel to their greatness, but we must understand that this reading comes from the very end of the book of Amos. Earlier, Amos impugns the Israelites for their lack of faithfulness to God and warns them of coming destruction. Indeed, Assyria would conquer Israel (the Northern Kingdom) in 721 BC, shortly after Amos’s prophetic career. Nevertheless, we are presented with this oracle of hope at the end of the book of Amos (Am 9:12). This word of hope, of peace in the moments of utter terror, stands in sharp contrast to the warring empire of Assyria that was coming to conquer Israel as a result of Israel’s disobedience to the covenant. Assyria left fear and trembling in its wake. God promises peace in the moment of desolation.
Friday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal and American independence day. Like her great-aunt St. Elizabeth of Hungary, after whom she was named, St. Elizabeth of Portugal was also born into privilege, but devoted herself to helping the poor and living a life of holiness and devotion. Today's readings go well with this memorial.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the memorial of St. Elizabeth of Portugal and American independence day. Like her great-aunt St. Elizabeth of Hungary, after whom she was named, St. Elizabeth of Portugal was also born into privilege, but devoted herself to helping the poor and living a life of holiness and devotion. Today's readings go well with this memorial.
Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle
Today's Mass Readings
It’s no secret that it’s tough to believe in things that we can’t see. At least once—and probably much more than once—in our lives as children or adults we’ve said to someone, “I won’t believe it until I see it!” And, indeed, it is easier to be rationally convinced of something when we have been witness to it.
Today's Mass Readings
It’s no secret that it’s tough to believe in things that we can’t see. At least once—and probably much more than once—in our lives as children or adults we’ve said to someone, “I won’t believe it until I see it!” And, indeed, it is easier to be rationally convinced of something when we have been witness to it.
Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
As we read the book of Amos these days as our first reading, we must be a little careful not to take parts of the book (as we have them for daily mass) as the entire message of Amos. I say this because there is much harsh treatment of Israel mentioned there in and one can think of Amos as only preaching condemnation. The last chapter, as we shall later, does end with a message of hope. Today’s reading, through analogy, brings home a difficult yet important message.
Today's Mass Readings
As we read the book of Amos these days as our first reading, we must be a little careful not to take parts of the book (as we have them for daily mass) as the entire message of Amos. I say this because there is much harsh treatment of Israel mentioned there in and one can think of Amos as only preaching condemnation. The last chapter, as we shall later, does end with a message of hope. Today’s reading, through analogy, brings home a difficult yet important message.
Tuesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In today's Gospel reading from the Gospel of Matthew, we find Jesus asleep in a boat with the other disciples. A storm begins to rage and the disciples become afraid. We might be tempted to read this story as if the disciples were little children afraid of the thunderstorm outside, in need of a parent to comfort them.
Today's Mass Readings
In today's Gospel reading from the Gospel of Matthew, we find Jesus asleep in a boat with the other disciples. A storm begins to rage and the disciples become afraid. We might be tempted to read this story as if the disciples were little children afraid of the thunderstorm outside, in need of a parent to comfort them.
Monday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The prophet Amos is among the most rhetorical in his indictment of the sins of Israel. In the chapter before today’s passage, Amos notes the offenses of numerous other peoples and nations. The people of Israel must have listened to this with delight, believing themselves to be superior to all these other places. After Amos has thus hooked the reader by criticizing other nations, however, he turns to his critique of Israel: “they sell the just man for silver and the poor man for a pair of sandals. They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth and force the lowly out of the way” (Am 2:6-7).
Today's Mass Readings
The prophet Amos is among the most rhetorical in his indictment of the sins of Israel. In the chapter before today’s passage, Amos notes the offenses of numerous other peoples and nations. The people of Israel must have listened to this with delight, believing themselves to be superior to all these other places. After Amos has thus hooked the reader by criticizing other nations, however, he turns to his critique of Israel: “they sell the just man for silver and the poor man for a pair of sandals. They trample the heads of the weak into the dust of the earth and force the lowly out of the way” (Am 2:6-7).
Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Today's Mass Readings
Pope Benedict has declared the year starting June 29, 2008 as the Year of St. Paul. June 29 has traditionally been celebrated as the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. This year, though, this celebration is all the more special because of the Pope's declaration.
Today's Mass Readings
Pope Benedict has declared the year starting June 29, 2008 as the Year of St. Paul. June 29 has traditionally been celebrated as the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul. This year, though, this celebration is all the more special because of the Pope's declaration.
Memorial of Saint Irenaeus
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from the book of Lamentations, we hear about the shear desolation of the Jewish people. The book as a whole comes from the period of the destruction of the temple in the sixth century BC, a deeply trying time we can imagine for God’s chosen ones. We see that part of their desolation is in feeling complete abandonment, for even their prophets were false (Lam 2:14). Yet many are undertaking practices of repentance – covering themselves in sackcloth and ashes, the common practice of penance, prostrating themselves (Lam 2:10), weeping (Lam 2:11), and Jerusalem itself is imaged as praying (Lam 2:19).
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s first reading from the book of Lamentations, we hear about the shear desolation of the Jewish people. The book as a whole comes from the period of the destruction of the temple in the sixth century BC, a deeply trying time we can imagine for God’s chosen ones. We see that part of their desolation is in feeling complete abandonment, for even their prophets were false (Lam 2:14). Yet many are undertaking practices of repentance – covering themselves in sackcloth and ashes, the common practice of penance, prostrating themselves (Lam 2:10), weeping (Lam 2:11), and Jerusalem itself is imaged as praying (Lam 2:19).
Friday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today's first reading from the Second Book of Kings is a powerful and important reading. Perhaps many of us do not feel the power and importance of this reading, but it is. This reading tells of the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Temple in Jerusalem. To this day, if you go to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the remains of the Jerusalem Temple, you can hear people weeping, wailing out loud, which is the reason the wall is sometimes called the Wailing Wall. These people weep and shriek because of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, not the first destruction which we read about in today's reading, but the second destruction under the Romans in 70 A.D.
Today's Mass Readings
Today's first reading from the Second Book of Kings is a powerful and important reading. Perhaps many of us do not feel the power and importance of this reading, but it is. This reading tells of the destruction of Jerusalem and of the Temple in Jerusalem. To this day, if you go to the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the remains of the Jerusalem Temple, you can hear people weeping, wailing out loud, which is the reason the wall is sometimes called the Wailing Wall. These people weep and shriek because of the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple, not the first destruction which we read about in today's reading, but the second destruction under the Romans in 70 A.D.
Thursday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s gospel passage from Matthew, we find the closing words of what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. In fact, tomorrow’s passage begins with Jesus coming down from the mountain. As we consider this passage today, we must ask ourselves what kind of a conclusion is today’s passage. How did it direct the disciples of that time, and where does it point us today?
Today's Mass Readings
In today’s gospel passage from Matthew, we find the closing words of what is known as the Sermon on the Mount. In fact, tomorrow’s passage begins with Jesus coming down from the mountain. As we consider this passage today, we must ask ourselves what kind of a conclusion is today’s passage. How did it direct the disciples of that time, and where does it point us today?
Wednesday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Even as we continue with our reflection on the Sermon on the Mount, we must take today’s first reading into consideration. It recounts one of the most important events in the history of the Old Testament history – the discovery of the second book of the Law. We know this book as the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy means “second law” and it is called so because these words of Moses remained hidden till the reign of King Josiah between 609-640 BC. Scripture scholars believe that King Josiah was so deeply touched in his heart by this book that he initiated a national reform based on the teaching found in the book.
Today's Mass Readings
Even as we continue with our reflection on the Sermon on the Mount, we must take today’s first reading into consideration. It recounts one of the most important events in the history of the Old Testament history – the discovery of the second book of the Law. We know this book as the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy means “second law” and it is called so because these words of Moses remained hidden till the reign of King Josiah between 609-640 BC. Scripture scholars believe that King Josiah was so deeply touched in his heart by this book that he initiated a national reform based on the teaching found in the book.
Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. There is much that could be said about today's readings, but one point I want to bring out up front is that we too, like John the Baptist, have a calling from God.
Today's Mass Readings
Today we celebrate the solemnity of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. There is much that could be said about today's readings, but one point I want to bring out up front is that we too, like John the Baptist, have a calling from God.
Monday of the Twelfth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel reading from Matthew’s account on the Sermon on the Mount always makes a lot of sense to us. It’s no secret that human beings are prone to judging others. And we probably can think of lots of examples of people who seem quick to judge others while completely failing to notice their own shortcomings. These people can be particularly annoying; we wonder how they can be so critical of others and not of themselves.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel reading from Matthew’s account on the Sermon on the Mount always makes a lot of sense to us. It’s no secret that human beings are prone to judging others. And we probably can think of lots of examples of people who seem quick to judge others while completely failing to notice their own shortcomings. These people can be particularly annoying; we wonder how they can be so critical of others and not of themselves.
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
The first reading from the book if Jeremiah belongs to a special kind of literature in the Bible called the Lamentations. It means what the word proposes: a person lamenting because of some external situation or because of one’s own misfortune. Before we proceed to understand the reason for Jeremiah’s lament let us understand the context of Jeremiah’s ministry.
Today's Mass Readings
The first reading from the book if Jeremiah belongs to a special kind of literature in the Bible called the Lamentations. It means what the word proposes: a person lamenting because of some external situation or because of one’s own misfortune. Before we proceed to understand the reason for Jeremiah’s lament let us understand the context of Jeremiah’s ministry.
Memorial of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings continue the theme of idolatry and true worship of God.
In the first reading, from the book of Chronicles, punishment is meted out to King Joash because of his consent to idolatry. What we know, though from the verses immediately proceeding those of today’s reading is that King Joash wasn’t always so unfaithful. When he took the throne at the tender age of seven, he was blessed with the wise advisor Jehoiada who worked to restore temple worship and observe the Mosaic law. But after Jehoiada’s death (2 Chr 24:17) Joash is taken in another direction and when challenged by his old advisor’s son, moves to have him stoned to death instead of listening to him (2 Chr 24:21). What a changed man! This killing proves to be the source of Joash’s own downfall – all brought on by idol worship.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s readings continue the theme of idolatry and true worship of God.
In the first reading, from the book of Chronicles, punishment is meted out to King Joash because of his consent to idolatry. What we know, though from the verses immediately proceeding those of today’s reading is that King Joash wasn’t always so unfaithful. When he took the throne at the tender age of seven, he was blessed with the wise advisor Jehoiada who worked to restore temple worship and observe the Mosaic law. But after Jehoiada’s death (2 Chr 24:17) Joash is taken in another direction and when challenged by his old advisor’s son, moves to have him stoned to death instead of listening to him (2 Chr 24:21). What a changed man! This killing proves to be the source of Joash’s own downfall – all brought on by idol worship.
Friday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Mass Readings
A lot could be said about the readings for today. For starters, the first reading from the Second Book of Kings, although it appears to be a merely violent episode which doesn't make much sense out of context, is really about the issue of idolatry. Idolatry is dealt with in a very physically violent way in this passage, because of the eternal spiritual dangers that come along with such idolatry. The entire Book of Judges, for example, is about life without God. The major theme of Judges is chaos. This is what happens when the people cease following God, and it is arguably the most violent book of the Bible.
Today's Mass Readings
A lot could be said about the readings for today. For starters, the first reading from the Second Book of Kings, although it appears to be a merely violent episode which doesn't make much sense out of context, is really about the issue of idolatry. Idolatry is dealt with in a very physically violent way in this passage, because of the eternal spiritual dangers that come along with such idolatry. The entire Book of Judges, for example, is about life without God. The major theme of Judges is chaos. This is what happens when the people cease following God, and it is arguably the most violent book of the Bible.