Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:24-28Luke 1:46-56 Reflection: Mary, my mother; Your beautiful song of praise, “The Magnificat,” brings so many memories rushing in… As kindergarteners at St. Boniface in the mid-1950s, we were taught 1) that we were made to…
Scripture: Song of Songs 2:8-14 or Zephaniah 3:14-18a,Luke 1:39-45 Reflection: Mary set out in those days and traveled to the hill country of Judah where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. -Luke 1:39 Having learned from the…
Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-111 Thessalonians 5:16-24John 1:6-8, 19-28 Reflection: With Christmas only eight days away, it is not surprising that each of today’s readings turns our attention to the birth that brought unconquerable hope to the world. In the gospel…
Scripture: Isaiah 48:17-19Matthew 11:16-19 Reflection: Now that we are in the second week of Advent, the Lord’s message is getting a little more direct. We are still enjoying all the beautiful imagery that has been shared with us by Isaiah,…
Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church Scripture: Isaiah 41:13-20Matthew 11:11-15 Reflection: For this day in the second week of Advent, the Church has asked us to remember a Spanish reformer, St. John of…
Scripture: Isaiah 40:25-31Matthew 11:28-30 Reflection: In this second week in Advent, Jesus gives us an invitation to, “Come to me” and find rest. When I picture what this invitation offers, especially during this busy time of preparations for Christmas, it…
Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10Luke 5:17-26 Reflection: The season of Advent always provides us with a great opportunity to come to a better understanding of the prophet Isaiah. Who was this person? What was the passion that drove him so deeply to…
Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-112 Peter 3:8-14Mark 1:1-8 Reflection: Isaiah tells us to prepare the way of the Lord in the desert and in the wasteland. He didn’t say to do it through a calming wood or beside a gently running…
Scripture: Isaiah 30:19-21, 23-26Matthew 9:35-10:1, 5a, 6-8 Reflection: Announcing the Three Comings of Jesus There is a little girl whom I’ve known since before she was born. She was a latecomer to her family, her brothers all teenagers. I’ve followed…
Scripture: Isaiah 26:1-6Matthew 7:21, 24-27 Reflection: …Trust in the LORD forever!For the LORD is an eternal Rock.He humbles those in high places,and the lofty city he brings down;He tumbles it to the ground,levels it with the dust.It is trampled underfoot…