Scripture: Malachi 3:1-4, 23-24Luke 1:57-66 Reflection: In today’s Gospel reading, we hear the account of the birth of John the Baptist. As is the case with Jesus, which we will hear when we celebrate Christmas, there are many remarkable things…
Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:24-28Luke 1:46-56 Reflection: The Magnificat; Mary’s declaration of her love of God in response to an angel of the Lord. Lord it sure would be a great help if every time You had something to tell me,…
Scripture: Songs 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18Luke 1:39-45 Reflection: Our first reading comes from the Song of Songs which is an allegory of God’s love for his people. In this passage the groom represents God, and we see God inviting the…
Scripture: Isaiah 7:10-14 Luke 1:26-38 Reflection: Today’s readings are about promise and fulfillment, fear and courage, cynicism and trust. Just five days before we celebrate the birth of Christ, the readings remind us that the coming of Christ was no…
Fourth Sunday of Advent Scripture: Micah 5:1-4aHebrews 10:5-10Luke 1:39-45 Reflection: For our Gospel reading for today, we have the account of the Visitation, when Mary visits her relative Elizabeth. We see here one of the most exuberant sharing of joy…
Scripture: Genesis 49:2, 8-10 Matthew 1:1-17 Reflection: In eight days, Christians will again celebrate the miracle that forever changed the world. When God became one of us in Jesus, being born into our world in Bethlehem, we received a promise…
Scripture: Isaiah 45:6b-8, 18, 21c-25Luke 7:18b-23 Reflection: In today’s Gospel John the Baptist through his followers asks of Jesus, “Are you the one”? Isn’t that a question we all ask at some point or even frequently during our lives? We…
Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-18aPhilippians 4:4-7Luke 3:10-18 Reflection: For your meditation this weekend, do not miss the importance of God preparing within you the “birthing” of his Son. We are other Christs and nothing less. This time is deliberate preparation for Christ…
Scripture: Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11 Matthew 17: 9a, 10-13 Reflection: The Jewish belief in first-century Palestine was that Elijah did not die, according to Hebrew Scripture, but was taken up to heaven by a chariot of fire, and that his return…
Scripture: Isaiah 48:17-19Matthew 11:16-19 Reflection: I’ve read so much about profiling – when another’s character, motivation, or worth is assumed by external characteristics like skin color, hairstyle, clothing, etc. It’s easy to condemn anyone who profiles. Yet it’s wired into…