The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) Scripture: Wisdom 3:1-9Romans 6:3-9John 6:37-40 Reflection: How consoling and encouraging it is to hear a family member or good friend say, “I wish you the best,” or “I am rooting for…
Solemnity of All Saints Scripture: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-141 John 3:1-3Matthew 5:1-12 Reflection: In the Church’s liturgical calendar, each November begins with the great feast of “All Saints” and then turns to “All Souls.” The exuberant Scripture readings include the gospel…
Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4Luke 14:12-14 Reflection: Happy Monday in the 31st Week of Ordinary Time! Call me eccentric (Ok, Paul, you’re eccentric), but I’ve always been one to leave little notes or flowers or gifts on people’s cars. It’s almost like…
Scripture: Wisdom 11:22-12:22 Thessalonians 1:11-2:2Luke 19:1-10 Reflection: I remember a story about St. Teresa of Avila. She said that the devil had appeared to her disguised as Christ. Because of her deep faith, St. Teresa knew immediately that this vision…
Scripture: Philippians 1:18b-26Luke 14:1, 7-11 Reflection: “For to me life is Christ . . .” In Saint Paul’s letter to the Philippians, Saint Paul seems to be wrestling with remaining on earth and continuing the work that Christ commissioned him…
Feast of Saints Simon and Jude Scripture: Ephesians 2:19-22Luke 6:12-16 Reflection: I find a lot of hope and promise in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. He is speaking not only to the people of Ephesus, but to all of us…
Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20Luke 13:31-35 Reflection: Today’s gospel is a reading from Luke 13:31-35: At that very hour some Pharisees came and said to Jesus, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” He said to them, “Go and…
Scripture: Ephesians 5:21-33Luke 13:18-21 Reflection: Jesus said “What is the Kingdom of God like?” What a wonderful question! How often do we take the time to ponder what the Kingdom of God is like? Today’s reading is an opportunity to…
Scripture: Ephesians 4:32-5:8Luke 13:10-17 Reflection: Precious Love of God Be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love,as Christ loved us and handed himself over for usas a sacrificial offering to God for a fragrant aroma. EPH 15:19 …
Scripture: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-182 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18Luke 18:9-14 Reflection: In the Gospel reading for today, Jesus addresses a parable “to those who were convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else.” Do we know anyone like that? Have there…