Reflections (Page 12)

Assumption of the Virgin Mary 2020- English/Español

Sunday’s Readings:  1 Chronicles 15:3-4, 15-16; 16:1-2; Psalms 132:6-7, 9-10, 13-14; 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57; Luke 11:27-28 THE DESTINY OF ALL MORTAL FLESHThe celebration of today’s feast on a Sunday is unusual on our Roman Catholic calendar. Our observance of the Lord’s Day is held in such high esteem that few other feasts replace it. Occasionally…

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2021 – English/Español

Sunday’s Readings: Exodus 16:2-4, 12-15; Psalm 78:3-4, 23-24, 25, 54; Ephesian 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35 THE BREAD OF LIFEToday’s Gospel has the crowd asking Jesus three questions. First, “When did you get here,” to which Jesus responds by rebuking them for their failure to grasp his miracle as a “sign,” an occasion to put faith in…

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2021 – English/Español

Sunday’s Readings: 2 Kings 4:42-44; Psalms 145:10-11, 15-16, 17-18; Ephesians 4:1-6; John 6:1-15 ONE LORD, ONE FAITHDo you suppose the authors of the four Gospels were aware of today’s first reading from the second bookof Kings? Of course they were. The prophet Elisha fed a hundred men with twenty barley loaves in orderto prove God’s power.…

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2021 – English/Español

Sunday’s Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34 THE DAYS ARE COMING Separation, isolation, and hostility are terrible things. We are, sadly, too familiar with all of them in our modern life, whether we look at world events or events in our own neighborhoods and families. All three readings today refer…

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2021 – English/Español

Sunday’s Readings: Amos 7:12-15; Psalms 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13 GOD CHOSE US Who chose first, God or you? That is the question explored in today’s three readings. The second reading, from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, reads almost like a hymn. It praises God for choosing us, for calling us to serve, and…

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2021 – English/Español

Sunday’s Readings: Ezekiel 2:2-5; Psalms 123:1-2, 2, 3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6 NO BAD NEWSThere are many times when we say, “Tell me what I want to hear, and don’t confuse me with facts.” And we don’t take kindly to someone who might be bold enough to snuff out our expectations. The biggest problem with…

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2021 – English/Español

Sunday’s Readings: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24; Psalms 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11, 12, 13; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9, 13-15; Mark 5:21-43 JESUS’ EXAMPLE OF HELPING OTHERS In today’s second reading Paul offers a wonderful argument to his converts at Corinth for seeking to help those in need. He is dealing with a practical problem, arranging a collection for…

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time 2021 – English/Español

Sunday’s Readings: Job 38:1, 8-11; Psalm 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31; 2 Cor 5:14-17; Mark 4:35-41 THE WIND AND THE SEA Living along the shores of Lake Superior—the “big lake,” as the locals call it—you can often hear the advice, “Respect the lake; don’t take it for granted.” People who know Lake Superior respect its power…