Sunday’s Readings: Joshua 24:1-2, 15-17, 18; Psalms 34:2-3, 16-17, 18-19, 20-2; Ephesians 5:21-32; John 6:60-69 HOUSEHOLDS IN GOD’S SERVICE In the ancient world, “household” was a wide-reaching concept. When Joshua today speaks of his household serving the Lord, he meant not just those people who lived inside his walls or those related to him by blood…

Sunday’s Readings: Proverbs 9:1-6; Psalms 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7; Ephesians 5:15-20; John 6:51-58 THIS EUCHARISTIC FEAST Some things about human nature don’t change, even over the course of centuries. When we celebrate a holiday, we have a meal; when we celebrate a significant event, we have a feast. In today’s first reading, Lady Wisdom is setting a…

Sunday’s Readings: 1 Kings 19:4-8; Psalms 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Ephesians 4:30-5:2; John 6:41-51 STRENGTHENED BY THE BREAD OF LIFE Today we resume the “Bread of Life” discourse from John’s Gospel that began two weeks ago. He makes reference to the Jews’ ancestors who ate manna in the desert. These days we would think primarily of…

Sunday’s Readings: Jeremiah 23:1-6; Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6; Ephesians 2:13-18; Mark 6:30-34 REST IN THE LORD For several weeks we have listened to readings that have recounted just how arduous the work of prophets and disciples can be. In today’s Gospel, the Lord Jesus listens to the reports of those he had sent out “two by two” to minister…

Sunday’s Readings: Amos 7:12-15; Psalms 85:9-10, 11-12, 13-14; Ephesians 1:3-14; Mark 6:7-13 CALLED BY GOD Today’s scriptures invite us to listen to two calls. The first is the call issued by the LORD to the prophet Amos, the “shepherd and a dresser of sycamores” (Amos 7:14). The second is the call the Lord Jesus issued to…

Sunday’s Readings: Ezekiel 2:2-5; Psalms 123:1-2, 2, 3-4; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6 OBSTACLES The prophet Ezekiel, Saint Paul, and the Lord Jesus share something in common in today’s scripture readings. They all experience obstacles to their ministry. Ezekiel is summoned to prophesy to the Israelites, who are “hard of face and obstinate of heart” (Ezekiel…

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 O LORD, BE MY HELP Today we encounter readings that draw us into the mystery of suffering and death. In the past few years we have witnessed the devastation of life and property through earthquakes and hurricanes.…

Sunday’s Readings: Isaiah 49:1-6; Psalms 139:1-3, 13-15; Acts 13:22-26; Luke 1:57-66, 80 JOHN THE BAPTIST Since June 24 falls on a Sunday this year, the Church has the opportunity for a more intense celebration of the birth of John the Baptist, who is often described as the last of the Old Testament prophets and the bridge…