Solemnity of Corpus Christi Ex 24:3-8; Heb 9:11-15; Mk 14:12-16, 22-26 Blood, blood, blood. These are bloody readings. The image of blood runs all through them, from Exodus in the Old Testament to Hebrews and Mark in the New Testament, from animal sacrifice to the blood sacrifice of Christ, for the forgiveness of sins. It […]
Is 52:13-53: 12; Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9; John 13:1-19: 42 We faithful are confronted with the death of the Lord today. Do we believe that there is life beyond death, beyond the grave? Who will save us from ourselves? This is the dramatic question presented to us by this Friday we call Good. Why do we […]
John 13: 1-15 Cycle B Tonight is our Passover Feast. Christ is the new Passover. He is the new Moses, the new covenant. He is the lamb who sacrifices himself. Jesus, an observant Jew, knows this. He knows who he is; that he is the Messiah, the fulfillment of God’s plan. He is the one […]
Sam 16: 1, 6-7,10-13; Eph 5:8-14; John 9:1-41 Today at the pool of Siloam Jesus says “I am the light of the world.” The man born blind is in the dark. Jesus opens his eyes – and ours, to the Light. But the Pharisees stay in the dark. The question: are we in the light […]
Genesis 22: 1-18; Romans 8: 31-34; Mk 9: 2-10 We know the Transfiguration story well: Jesus taking Peter, James and John alone up the mountain, a traditional place for a revelation of God. Jesus is transfigured in light with Moses and Elijah, revealed to them as the Son of God. It is in-breaking of God […]
Deut 18:15-20; 1 Cor 7:32-35; Mark 1:21-28 In this gospel Jesus encounters a person in his need. Jesus confronts the unclean spirit, rebukes it and restores the person to health. Christ demonstrates, on the Sabbath in the synagogue, that He has the authority to do this. He demonstrates this by His power. He demonstrates that […]
Is 61:1-2, 10-11; 1 Thes 5:16-24; Jn 1:6-8, 19-28 Isaiah says today: “I rejoice heartily in the Lord, in my God is the joy of my soul.” What is the joy of my soul? Is it God or something else? Is there joy in my soul? This Gaudete Sunday, rejoice Sunday, is an opportunity to […]
Is 63: 16-19; Cor 1:3-9; Mk 13: 33-37 A Christmas Carol “Wake Up!” This Sunday is your wake up call. Last year on this Sunday, I told you about my cousin Lorenzo at the burial of a relative. It bears repeating. When Lorenzo raised his head from prayer, he saw his own name on the […]
Ez 34:11-12, 15-17; 1Cor 15:20-26,28; Matt 25: 31-46 Today we proclaim Christ as King of the Universe. Viva Cristo Rey! This recalls the crowds waving palms on Palm Sunday. Christ is a king who comes to save all. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. St. Andrew of Crete says: “Let […]
We all called to be saints! That’s what we celebrate today. The church celebrates the multitude of those who have gone before us who now already behold the face of God. Today’s feast recognizes specially those who are not yet canonized. They are your family members lived lives of love and service even in small […]