Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:4-10 Romans 10: 8-13 Luke 4:1-13 Reflection: Who owns your heart? This is the question Jesus wrestles with while alone in the desert. After his baptism by John in the Jordon, his family, friends, the religious establishment were…
Scripture: Isaiah 58:9b-14Luke 5:27-32 Reflection: Thus says the LORD: If you remove from your midst oppression, false accusation and malicious speech; If you bestow your bread on the hungry and satisfy the afflicted; then light shall rise for you in…
Scripture: Isaiah 58:1-9 Matthew 9:14-15 Reflection: Fasting…For Lent 2022 and Beyond The keyword in both of today’s Scripture readings is “fasting”. Both the Prophet Isaiah and Jesus Himself uphold the value and challenge of true fasting. Pure and simple, fasting…
Ash Wednesday: March 2, 2022 Scripture: Joel 2:12-182 Corinthians 5:20—6:2Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Reflection: Our first reading for today sets out the challenge of Lent for us: a call from God to “return to me with your whole heart.” An expression…
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-16 Mark 10:28-31 Reflection: Today is Mardi Gras— “Fat Tuesday”—the day before Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. Apparently, the name comes from the ancient custom in France of eating rich, fatty foods before the fasting…
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9Mark 10:17-27 Reflection: We are a blessed people! In our reading from 1 Peter today, we are reminded of how truly blessed we are in receiving a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of…
Scripture: Sirach 27:4-71 Corinthians 15:54-58 Luke 6:39-45 Reflection: We have all heard the expression, “Walk the walk, talk the talk.” It is not for us to judge what we may see or interpret in others, but to take ownership of…
Scripture: James 5:13-20 Mark 10:13-16 Reflection: The psalm response during the Liturgy of the Word too often is but an unremarkable interlude between the first reading and the gospel. But today’s Psalm 141 deserves some quiet consideration. I can hear…
Solemn Commemoration of the Passion Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12 Hebrews 2:9-18 or 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 19:17-30 Reflection: The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power…
Scripture: James 5:1-6Mark 9:41-50 Reflection: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble (skandalizō), it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea. MK…