Sunday’s Readings: Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalms 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20; Galatians 6:14-18; Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 GOOD NEWS IS ON THE WAY This week, in the midst of summer, the scriptures greet us with joy, peace, mercy, and more peace! Sounds a little like Advent, doesn’t it? We often associate the prophet Isaiah with that preparatory…
Sunday’s Readings:1 Kings 19:16, 19-21; Psalms 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; Galatians 5:1, 13-18; Luke 9:51-62 DISCIPLESHIP’S COSTS In today’s first reading, God tells the prophet Elijah to prepare Elisha to succeed him. Succeeding Elijah will be no easy task; he has spent his life facing threats from the kings he has confronted about their infidelity to the…
Sunday’s Readings:: Genesis 14:18-20; Psalm 110:1, 2, 3, 4; Corinthians 11:23-26; Luke 9:11-17 Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) THE GIFT OF THE EUCHARIST Today we hear how Abram encounters Melchizedek, “king of Salem . . . and a priest of God Most High” (Genesis 14:18). Melchizedek appears nowhere else in scripture,…
Sundays Readings: Proverbs 8:22-31; Psalms 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15 BIBLICAL ROOTS OF THE TRINITY Today’s readings show some biblical roots of what Christians would later call the Trinity. Proverbs showcases the role of Wisdom in the work of creation, portrayed as a reality outside of God but integrated into God’s work of forming…
Sunday’s Readings: Acts 2:1-11; Psalms 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34; 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23 THE SPIRIT’S ACTIVE POWER The mystery of the Trinity refers to one God in three persons. We frequently acknowledge Jesus as “the second person of the Trinity,” but referring also to the Spirit as a “person” comes less naturally.…
Sunday’s Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Psalms 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Ephesians 1:17-23; Luke 24:46-53 SENT FORTH Today we celebrate Jesus’ return to heaven. If we struggle to know how to feel about this event, we take our cue from Jesus’ disciples. These disciples are firsthand witnesses to the Ascension, returning afterword to Jerusalem, where “they were continually…
Sunday’s Readings: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Psalms 67:2-3,5,6,8; Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23; John 14:23-29 RETURNING TO ORDINARY LIFE Six weeks into our Easter rejoicing, the Church gives us readings today that start preparing us for a return to ordinary life. The Acts of the Apostles and the Gospel both dwell on proper daily behavior for followers of…
Sunday’s Readings: Isaiah 43:16-21; Psalms 126:1-2, 2-3, 4-5, 6; Philippians 3:8-14; John 8:1-11 MAKING ALL THINGS NEW Although we are five full weeks into the celebration of Easter, today’s readings focus on newness. Our Easter food leftovers may be long gone, but the readings insist on every moment’s freshness in the risen Jesus. The Acts of…