The Baptism of the Lord Scripture: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 or Acts 10:34-38Matthew 3:13-17 Reflection: The Commissioning of Jesus Today’s feast of Our Lord’s Baptism brings Christmas season to its end, but Matthew’s account of Jesus’ baptism gives us a beginning,…
The Epiphany of the Lord Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6Matthew 2:1-12 Reflection: Where is the newborn king of the Jews?We saw his star at its risingand have come to do him homage. -Matthew 2:2 Sitting in the barber’s chair getting…
Scripture: 1 John 5:5-13Mark: 1:7-11 Reflection: The writer of the Gospel of Mark does not mince words. The narrative is quick, blunt, to the point. In today’s reading from that gospel, we are immediately put in the scene at the…
Scripture: 1 John 3:11-21John 1:43-51 Reflection: This is the message you have heard from the beginning:we should love one another… –1 John 3:11 Now this is how we shall know that we belong to the truthand reassure our hearts before…
Scripture: 1 John 3:7-10John 1:35-42 Reflection: “…Come and see…” Today’s Gospel selection features John the Baptist and two of his disciples encountering Jesus as He walked by – so named “the Lamb of God” by John the Baptist. This chance…
Scripture: 1 John 2:29-3:6John 1:29-34 Reflection: By the time of the composition of the Gospel of John, the Johanine community had several generations of faithful living, spiritual reflection and praying both personally and liturgically to draw upon. One senses all…
Memorial of Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, Bishops and Doctors of the Church Scripture: 1 John 2:22-28John 1:19-28 Reflection: St. Basil and St. Gregory were each bestowed the title “Doctor of the Church” by Pope Pius V in…
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God Scripture: Numbers 6:22-27Galatians 4:4-7Luke 2:16-21 Reflection: Today’s liturgy celebrates the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. While the early church revered Mary as Jesus’s mother, not until the Council of Ephesus in 431 AD…
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph Scripture: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14Colossians 3:12-21Luke 2:22-40 Reflection: Merry Christmas! Remember Christmas? That was 7 whole days ago! Since then, many of my neighbors have taken down the festive lights in…
Scripture: 1 John 2:3-11Luke 2:22-35 Reflection: . . . for the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.-1 John 2:8 Today is the fifth day of the octave of Christmas. The readings remind us of the…