We have a God who Keeps His Promises!"
Today's Mass Readings
On this fifth day in the octave of Christmas, we reflect upon the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Simeon was regarded as a holy man among the people of Israel and was blessed with the promise of seeing the Messiah. Joseph and Mary also prove themselves to be law-abiding Jews by bringing Jesus up to Jerusalem for His presentation.
Today's Mass Readings
On this fifth day in the octave of Christmas, we reflect upon the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple. Simeon was regarded as a holy man among the people of Israel and was blessed with the promise of seeing the Messiah. Joseph and Mary also prove themselves to be law-abiding Jews by bringing Jesus up to Jerusalem for His presentation.
Our Help is in the Name of the LORD"
Today's Mass Readings
In this octave of Christmas, we reflect on the amazing gift that God gives to us – his very self as the child Jesus, God among us. In the midst of reflecting on the infant Christ, we have this feast of the Holy Innocents, which commemorates one of the events that happened after the birth of Jesus.
Today's Mass Readings
In this octave of Christmas, we reflect on the amazing gift that God gives to us – his very self as the child Jesus, God among us. In the midst of reflecting on the infant Christ, we have this feast of the Holy Innocents, which commemorates one of the events that happened after the birth of Jesus.
We are Writing this so that Our Joy may be Complete
Today's Mass Readings
In the midst of this octave of Christmas and immediately following the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, we find this feast of John the Apostle and Evangelist. John was known as “the beloved disciple” in the gospel attributed to him. Hence we see that his ministries overlapped; it was in his writing of the gospel that he brought Christ to others.
Today's Mass Readings
In the midst of this octave of Christmas and immediately following the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr, we find this feast of John the Apostle and Evangelist. John was known as “the beloved disciple” in the gospel attributed to him. Hence we see that his ministries overlapped; it was in his writing of the gospel that he brought Christ to others.
The Blood of the Martyrs is the Cement of the Church"
Today's Mass Readings
It often comes as a shock to Christians to discover that the first readings of the Christmas season after the feast celebrating the birth of Christ are in honor of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. However, the readings for December 26 celebrate Stephen, whom Scripture teaches was also among the first seven deacons of the Church in Jerusalem, for the simple reason that his life is a faithful reminder of the truth that the Gospel calls each of us towards.
You are to Name Him Jesus,
because He will Save His People from their Sins"
Today's Mass Readings
We may wonder why today’s gospel reading had to be the lengthy and boring genealogy of Jesus. For that matter, why does Matthew begin his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus?
because He will Save His People from their Sins"
Today's Mass Readings
We may wonder why today’s gospel reading had to be the lengthy and boring genealogy of Jesus. For that matter, why does Matthew begin his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus?
God has Come to his People and Set them Free"
Today's Mass Readings
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free.” Thus prophesies Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Zechariah’s exultation upon learning about Jesus the Messiah must be understood in the context of the Jewish people, who had endured many hardships and, at the time of Zechariah, were eagerly anticipating the coming of a Messiah.
Today's Mass Readings
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; for he has come to his people and set them free.” Thus prophesies Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. Zechariah’s exultation upon learning about Jesus the Messiah must be understood in the context of the Jewish people, who had endured many hardships and, at the time of Zechariah, were eagerly anticipating the coming of a Messiah.
Emmanuel, God is with Us"
Today's Mass Readings
If each of us looked back into our lives, perhaps we could find people who have carried us through just by being with us; or there are people we have carried through just by being with them. They did not solve our problems or we could not work magic for them, but rather, just “being with” those in need works miracles.
Today’s readings express the same sentiment. To Judah, a nation in crisis, Isaiah promises that God would come to them as “Emmanuel.” In the gospel reading today, that prophecy was fulfilled. At the annunciation, the angle Gabriel announced to Mary the she would conceive and bear a son just as had been promised by Isaiah, and that his name would be “Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
John, in his gospel, gives no account of the nativity of Jesus. He talks about the incarnation by saying, “The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” If we look at the literal translation from Hebrew, “flesh” would mean, the “whole person of the divinity” and “made his dwelling” would mean, “pitched his tent or tabernacle” among us.
The context of John's statement come from the Old Testament where the Ark of the Covenant was initially kept in a tent/tabernatcle, and the glory/presence of the Lord would cover the tent. This was the tabernacle of the Old Testament. A cloud would cover the tent as a sign of God’s presence. Later the Temple of Jerusalem became dwelling of God. The holy of holies was the place of the presence of the Lord. The Temple was first destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC and then again in 70 AD by the Romans. However, these earthly dwellings have been replaced by a new temple, a new tent, a new tabernacle – the tabernacle of the real presence of God in and through Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. If there is one thing that we Catholics take for granted – it is the presence of the all holy God in the Blessed Sacrament. “Emmanuel, God is with us” in every tabernacle of every church.
Before Christmas, spend time in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. In this Sacrament, “God is with us.”
- Fr. Satish Joseph
Today's Mass Readings
If each of us looked back into our lives, perhaps we could find people who have carried us through just by being with us; or there are people we have carried through just by being with them. They did not solve our problems or we could not work magic for them, but rather, just “being with” those in need works miracles.
Today’s readings express the same sentiment. To Judah, a nation in crisis, Isaiah promises that God would come to them as “Emmanuel.” In the gospel reading today, that prophecy was fulfilled. At the annunciation, the angle Gabriel announced to Mary the she would conceive and bear a son just as had been promised by Isaiah, and that his name would be “Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”
John, in his gospel, gives no account of the nativity of Jesus. He talks about the incarnation by saying, “The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” If we look at the literal translation from Hebrew, “flesh” would mean, the “whole person of the divinity” and “made his dwelling” would mean, “pitched his tent or tabernacle” among us.
The context of John's statement come from the Old Testament where the Ark of the Covenant was initially kept in a tent/tabernatcle, and the glory/presence of the Lord would cover the tent. This was the tabernacle of the Old Testament. A cloud would cover the tent as a sign of God’s presence. Later the Temple of Jerusalem became dwelling of God. The holy of holies was the place of the presence of the Lord. The Temple was first destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 BC and then again in 70 AD by the Romans. However, these earthly dwellings have been replaced by a new temple, a new tent, a new tabernacle – the tabernacle of the real presence of God in and through Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. If there is one thing that we Catholics take for granted – it is the presence of the all holy God in the Blessed Sacrament. “Emmanuel, God is with us” in every tabernacle of every church.
Before Christmas, spend time in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. In this Sacrament, “God is with us.”
- Fr. Satish Joseph
My Heart Exults in the Lord, My Savior
Today's Mass Readings
As we enter into the final days of preparation for Christmas, we are presented with two fears – a fear of the Lord and a fear of losing earthly power.
In her great Magnificat, Mary sings of the greatness of the God who “has mercy on hose who fear Him in every generation.” Mary would have known well the song of Hannah that we have for today as the responsorial psalm.
Today's Mass Readings
As we enter into the final days of preparation for Christmas, we are presented with two fears – a fear of the Lord and a fear of losing earthly power.
In her great Magnificat, Mary sings of the greatness of the God who “has mercy on hose who fear Him in every generation.” Mary would have known well the song of Hannah that we have for today as the responsorial psalm.
The Joy of Christmas"
Today's Mass Readings
Joy! Joy resounds throughout today’s scripture readings! Jesus, the savior, is to be born! The gospel passage, a familiar story, is Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Both women are pregnant, and John the Baptist leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb in response to the presence of Jesus. The Zephaniah passage, meanwhile, is paired with this gospel reading because it also describes joy. Christians read this passage as referring to Jesus: “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.” Zephaniah hence commands: “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” The people who have lived in darkness and longed for a savior, now have him, Jesus the Messiah!
Today's Mass Readings
Joy! Joy resounds throughout today’s scripture readings! Jesus, the savior, is to be born! The gospel passage, a familiar story, is Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth. Both women are pregnant, and John the Baptist leaps for joy in Elizabeth’s womb in response to the presence of Jesus. The Zephaniah passage, meanwhile, is paired with this gospel reading because it also describes joy. Christians read this passage as referring to Jesus: “The Lord, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; He will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, He will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.” Zephaniah hence commands: “Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem!” The people who have lived in darkness and longed for a savior, now have him, Jesus the Messiah!
May it be Done to Me According to Your Word”
Today's Mass Readings
The anticipation continues to build as Christmas – the birth of our savior – approaches. Today’s gospel reading tells the story of the Annunciation, one of the most beloved readings as we look forward to the nativity. This story of the Annunciation is one with which we are all familiar: the angel Gabriel appears to the Virgin Mary, greeting her as “full of grace,” and telling her about her role in bringing Jesus to earth. And, as we know, Mary responds first by asking how this could be and secondly by saying: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Today's Mass Readings
The anticipation continues to build as Christmas – the birth of our savior – approaches. Today’s gospel reading tells the story of the Annunciation, one of the most beloved readings as we look forward to the nativity. This story of the Annunciation is one with which we are all familiar: the angel Gabriel appears to the Virgin Mary, greeting her as “full of grace,” and telling her about her role in bringing Jesus to earth. And, as we know, Mary responds first by asking how this could be and secondly by saying: “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.”
Jesus is Emanuel, God with Us"
Today's Mass Readings
Scripture is filled with stories about holy men and women who serve as allegorical Christ figures, those who through their lives, preaching, prophecy, and practice point towards the fulfillment of God’s ultimate plan for salvation in Christ. As Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from Vatican II, teaches, “The principle purpose to which the plan of the old covenant was directed was to prepare for the coming of Christ…and to indicate its meaning through various ‘types’” (Dei Verbum, 15). Among these ‘types’ are the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets who can only be fully understood when read in the light of the New Testament’s testimony about Jesus Christ. As Dei Verbum states, “God, the inspirer and author of both Testaments, wisely arranged that the New Testament be hidden in the Old and the Old be manifest in the New (DV, 16).
Today's Mass Readings
Scripture is filled with stories about holy men and women who serve as allegorical Christ figures, those who through their lives, preaching, prophecy, and practice point towards the fulfillment of God’s ultimate plan for salvation in Christ. As Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from Vatican II, teaches, “The principle purpose to which the plan of the old covenant was directed was to prepare for the coming of Christ…and to indicate its meaning through various ‘types’” (Dei Verbum, 15). Among these ‘types’ are the Old Testament patriarchs and prophets who can only be fully understood when read in the light of the New Testament’s testimony about Jesus Christ. As Dei Verbum states, “God, the inspirer and author of both Testaments, wisely arranged that the New Testament be hidden in the Old and the Old be manifest in the New (DV, 16).
Emmanuel, God is with us”
Today's Mass Readings
As we approach the end of the season of Advent, we find readings that point us toward the Nativity, Jesus’ birth. In today’s first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah, we find this prophetic utterance about a future king that will come from David’s line. This is important because the Babylonian exile is an important focus and context for the book of Jeremiah. It was in the Babylonian exile that the Davidic royal line was apparently cut off, even though God promised that David’s kingdom would be an everlasting kingdom.
Today's Mass Readings
As we approach the end of the season of Advent, we find readings that point us toward the Nativity, Jesus’ birth. In today’s first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah, we find this prophetic utterance about a future king that will come from David’s line. This is important because the Babylonian exile is an important focus and context for the book of Jeremiah. It was in the Babylonian exile that the Davidic royal line was apparently cut off, even though God promised that David’s kingdom would be an everlasting kingdom.
Making sense of the genealogy of Jesus
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel passage is one that we sometimes think, “Why does this passage matter?” or “Why is this passage important to our faith?” In listening to it proclaimed, we may be inclined to drift off… thinking of other things than listening attentively to this list of names. And yet, if we do listen, we notice something important, which ties this passage together with the first reading from Genesis.
Today's Mass Readings
Today’s gospel passage is one that we sometimes think, “Why does this passage matter?” or “Why is this passage important to our faith?” In listening to it proclaimed, we may be inclined to drift off… thinking of other things than listening attentively to this list of names. And yet, if we do listen, we notice something important, which ties this passage together with the first reading from Genesis.
Are you the one who is to come"
Today's Mass Readings
Before John had been put in prison he had been preparing for the coming of the Messiah by proclaiming the words of the prophet Isaiah. Last Sunday we heard how he was proclaiming repentance in the words of the prophet Isaiah when he cried out, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Jesus’ reply to John is also taken from the prophet Isaiah. Jesus knew that John would understand, Jesus’ words. John would know by hearing the prophecy from Isaiah, that Jesus was indeed the messiah.
Today's Mass Readings
Before John had been put in prison he had been preparing for the coming of the Messiah by proclaiming the words of the prophet Isaiah. Last Sunday we heard how he was proclaiming repentance in the words of the prophet Isaiah when he cried out, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” Jesus’ reply to John is also taken from the prophet Isaiah. Jesus knew that John would understand, Jesus’ words. John would know by hearing the prophecy from Isaiah, that Jesus was indeed the messiah.
Lord make us turn to you”
Today's Mass Readings
In the tradition of Jewish hope for the Messiah, the one who would come and restore God’s reign, there was an expectation that the great prophet Elijah would come back as a forerunner to the Messiah, an indication that the one who came after was indeed God’s servant who will save His people from oppression. In the first reading, we see a recitation of this expectation of Elijah’s return, “You were destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord,
to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.” And in the gospel, Jesus alludes to Elijah’s suffering such that it was clear to the disciples that he was identifying John the Baptist with Elijah. The Baptist is indeed the forerunner to Jesus, the Messiah. It is not as clear as was expected.
Today's Mass Readings
In the tradition of Jewish hope for the Messiah, the one who would come and restore God’s reign, there was an expectation that the great prophet Elijah would come back as a forerunner to the Messiah, an indication that the one who came after was indeed God’s servant who will save His people from oppression. In the first reading, we see a recitation of this expectation of Elijah’s return, “You were destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord,
to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob.” And in the gospel, Jesus alludes to Elijah’s suffering such that it was clear to the disciples that he was identifying John the Baptist with Elijah. The Baptist is indeed the forerunner to Jesus, the Messiah. It is not as clear as was expected.
Jesus is Coming to Feast with Us"
Today's Mass Readings
When today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew is read within its Advent context, we can see how it pertains to the coming of Christ at Christmas, and the coming of Christ into our lives. Jesus rebukes His generation in front of a multitude of people, presumably including many of them in the rebuke.
Today's Mass Readings
When today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew is read within its Advent context, we can see how it pertains to the coming of Christ at Christmas, and the coming of Christ into our lives. Jesus rebukes His generation in front of a multitude of people, presumably including many of them in the rebuke.
Near indeed is our salvation
Today's Mass Readings
The Hebrew Scriptures foretold that Elijah would return before the Messiah, and so Jesus’ announcement that John the Baptist is Elijah is simultaneously an announcement of himself as the Messiah. John the Baptist is a prophet, like Elijah, one who has prophesied of the Messiah in the midst of violence suffered by the Kingdom of Heaven. And yet, even John, this great prophet, is not as great as the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Today's Mass Readings
The Hebrew Scriptures foretold that Elijah would return before the Messiah, and so Jesus’ announcement that John the Baptist is Elijah is simultaneously an announcement of himself as the Messiah. John the Baptist is a prophet, like Elijah, one who has prophesied of the Messiah in the midst of violence suffered by the Kingdom of Heaven. And yet, even John, this great prophet, is not as great as the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Hail Mary"
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and the New World. It is therefore only fitting that the day be celebrated with readings from the Gospel of Luke, which alone among the four Gospels records the story of the Annunciation and the great song of praise attributed to the Virgin Mary, the Magnificat.
Today's Mass Readings
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas and the New World. It is therefore only fitting that the day be celebrated with readings from the Gospel of Luke, which alone among the four Gospels records the story of the Annunciation and the great song of praise attributed to the Virgin Mary, the Magnificat.
Here is your God!"
Today's Mass Readings
The first readings during this Advent season will often deal with preparation for Jesus’ arrival, both now and at the world’s end. Today’s first reading is especially appropriate because it looks forward to the Messiah’s initial arrival. This reading, from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, tells of a voice crying out, an individual preparing the way for the Lord. We know from the New Testament that this individual, this voice, is John the Baptist. John the Baptist is the forerunner of the Messiah, of Jesus the Christ. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry through preaching about the kingdom of God, repentance and baptism.
Today's Mass Readings
The first readings during this Advent season will often deal with preparation for Jesus’ arrival, both now and at the world’s end. Today’s first reading is especially appropriate because it looks forward to the Messiah’s initial arrival. This reading, from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, tells of a voice crying out, an individual preparing the way for the Lord. We know from the New Testament that this individual, this voice, is John the Baptist. John the Baptist is the forerunner of the Messiah, of Jesus the Christ. John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus’ ministry through preaching about the kingdom of God, repentance and baptism.
Near indeed is our salvation
Today's Mass Readings
“Our God will come to save us!” exclaims today’s beautiful excerpt from Psalm 85. “Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.” Isaiah reflects this joyful anticipation, describing all that is to come – the blooming of flowers, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the mute speaking, the streams flowing – it is a marvelous picture indeed!
Today's Mass Readings
“Our God will come to save us!” exclaims today’s beautiful excerpt from Psalm 85. “Kindness and truth shall meet; justice and peace shall kiss. Truth shall spring out of the earth, and justice shall look down from heaven.” Isaiah reflects this joyful anticipation, describing all that is to come – the blooming of flowers, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the mute speaking, the streams flowing – it is a marvelous picture indeed!