Asking forgiveness and receiving forgiveness are the beautiful themes for this week’s Sunday readings. The fact that all of us are always in need of mercy on one count or another reminds me of the instructive rhythm of the Church’s Lectionary cycle: we hear the same messages again and again precisely because we need to […]
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At our college’s recent commencement the speaker was Pittsburgh Steeler offensive tackle, Alejandro Villanueva. The outline of his address was given in the first story he told of when he was on five days of Army Ranger training in the middle of Winter. He spoke of being cold, hungry and exhausted, and knowing that the […]
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Today’s readings clearly direct our attention to the importance of being generous and charitable to all, especially to the poor. The great sage Jesus ben-Sira (commonly called Sirach) begins this instruction with a reflection on the bond between humility and almsgiving; the Psalmist continues the theme, writing how our own kindness to the poor is […]
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The reading from Hebrews is a word of encouragement during difficult times. In particular it is referring to the times when we find it hard to follow the discipline that comes with being a follower of Jesus. This passage compliments well the message of the Gospel in which Jesus calls his followers to “Strive to […]
Continue ReadingI have noted before that in order to establish the readings at each Sunday mass the Gospel passage is chosen first and then the remaining texts are selected to anticipate or complement the message of the Gospel. Except for this past Easter season when the Gospel of John took center stage, we have been wending […]
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Today the Church marks the feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, when we recall a solemn article of our Catholic faith; namely, that Mary, “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.” In some ancient western Christian traditions and in many eastern Christian traditions […]
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“For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be,” sums up three important points Jesus makes in the Gospel; do not be afraid; Be vigilant; and do the Master’s will. Numerous times throughout the Gospels Jesus tells his followers be not afraid. If we are walking the path of the Lord and following […]
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“Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” (Qoh 1:2). I am delighted to have a reading this Sunday from the Book of Ecclesiastes, also known as the Book of Qoheleth. I am pleased first and foremost since this book conveys much wisdom and prudent advice, and it does so in […]
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This Gospel gives us three lessons on prayer; How to pray, be persistent in prayer, and God’s reception of our prayers. The Apostles had observed Jesus praying and ask him to teach them to pray. This is a beautiful request, it shows that as they spent time with Jesus they desired to be more like […]
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The gist of this Sunday’s scripture readings is evident: the responsibility to show authentic hospitality to visitors is highlighted through two famous incidents, and a further lesson about the responsibility to exercise a sort of “spiritual hospitality” is drawn from these accounts. First we encounter Abraham and Sarah dwelling by the “terebinth of Mamre,” which […]
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