Sundays Readings: Isaiah 58:7-10; Psalms 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16 THIS LITTLE LIGHT OF MINE As children we sang the lively song This Little Light of Mine. The words, of course, are based on today’s Gospel, in which we are called as disciples to be salt and light for the world. Children are uninhibited about sharing their…
Sunday’s Readings: Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13; Psalms 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Matthew 5:1-12 THE CHOSEN REMNANT Zephaniah is one of the least-known of the Old Testament prophets. He speaks in today’s first reading of impending judgment. But the Lord will leave a “remnant” in Israel. This image of a remnant, or remainder, was to become vital to both Judaism and…
Sundays Readings: Isaiah 8:23—9:3; Psalms 27:1, 4, 13-14; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; Matthew 4:12-23 LIBERATION AND REFORM While you might have to reach for an atlas to determine that Isaiah is speaking about Galilee, today’s first reading (part of which was read at Christmas) is prophetic of Jesus’ future ministry in that province. The light that brings salvation and rejoicing…
Sunday’s Readings: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; Psalms 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34 THREE MISSIONS Today we begin with one of the “servant songs” from the book of Isaiah, a song prophetic of Jesus’ ministry of service. Isaiah’s mission is not only to bring back the children of Jacob to gather in Israel; it is also…
Sunday’s Readings…..Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13, Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 THE STAR OF BETHLEHEM The unfolding of the story of the Incarnation continues today as the Church celebrates the Epiphany. The tale of the magi from the East is one of the most fascinating in all of scripture. It has much to teach us about what we can…
Sunday’s Readings: Numbers 6:22-27; Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21 THE BLESSING WE RECEIVE The blessing we experience in Christ Jesus is proclaimed in Numbers as the special blessing for the people of Israel. They and we are to be blessed by the invocation of God’s loving kind-ness, the shining glory of God’s…
Sunday Readings:Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalms 24:1-2, 3-4, 5-6; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 24:37-44 SUMMONED BY GOD As Christmas draws near, Advent’s scriptures lure us into a world of dreams, signs, wonders, and the miracle of the virgin birth. Too often we allow the great stories of our faith, the ones that are most familiar, simply to wash over us. Today’s Gospel account…
Sunday Readings: Isaiah 35:1-6A, 10; Psalms 146:6-7, 8-9, 9-10; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 Gaudette Sunday – The Third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. On this day we celebrate that our waiting for the birth of Jesus on Christmas day is almost over. Rose is a liturgical color that is used to signify joy, so…