First Sunday in Advent

The season of advent opens with hope. Not fear but hope that God is coming to save His people. Hope is not passive optimism; but invites total conversion, a new way of thinking, seeing, and living the life of grace. 

Spiritual sleep, on the other hand, is associated with set routines void of one's heart being fully engaged, faith void of intrinsically motivated desire for God, and habits that do not lift us toward God. Thus, a form of shallowness longing begins to develop in the mind, heart, and soul.

Advent powerfully reminds all of humanity that change is possible and grace is near because Jesus Christ is close. Jesus desires a relationship with us as we prayerfully sing O Come O Come Emmanuel. Let us put aside works of darkness and put on the armor of light, Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Scripture Readings for November 30, 2025

Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122: 1-9

Romans 13:11-14

Matthew 24:37-44

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Jesus was one of the most misunderstood figures in history. From the beginning of his life, through the grace of the virgin birth until His death, many people, including his own followers found it difficult in understanding his mission and purpose. 

Everyday we choose which king we will serve: the false kings of power, pride, ego, and comfort or Jesus Christ, the King, who reigns from the Cross. We approach the altar of grace wholeheartedly and say. "Jesus remember me when you come into your kingdom."

Scripture Readings for November 23, 2025

2 Samuel 5:1-3
Psalm 122:1-5
Colossians 1:12-20

Luke 23:35-43

Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke's Gospel account outlines Jesus description of how the end of the world will come about. Jesus' sobering words offers readers the opportunity to see two differing world views, the world created by man and the world created by God via the story of creation. 

Jesus makes it clear we will be martyr's before we become saints. A martyr by definition is a witness. People will be asked to make a public witness to the truth of our individuality as beloved sons and daughters. It's by our perseverance we will secure our lives.

Scripture Readings for November 16, 2025

Malachi 3:19-20
Psalm 98:5-9
2 Thessalonians 3:7-12
Luke 21:5-19 

The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls)

Eschatology is the study of the last four things: death, judgement, heaven, and hell. All Souls Day reminds us of our communion with the dead, those who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith. As we pray, "Eternal rest grant unto them, Oh Lord," we also entrust ourselves to His Mercy. Now and at the hour of our own death.

Scripture Readings for Nov. 2, 2025

Wisdom 3:1-9

Psalm 23:1-6

Romans 5:5-11

John 6:37-40

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Prayer is the oxygen we need to spiritually live. It is our primary connection with God. In today's Gospel we read about two individuals who enter the temple to pray with different postures of this fundamental reality: the pharisee and the tax collector. 

The pharisee left the temple self-justified leading to further self-guilt and self-hatred. Whereas, the tax collector left justified by God. God listens not to perfection, but to humility. True prayer is is the posture of dependence, not pride. Pray like the tax collector and live like St. Paul-humble, grateful, and confident in God's mercy.

Scripture Readings for October 26, 2025

Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18
Psalm 34:2-3, 17-19, 23
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18
Luke 18:9-14

Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

All three of the Sunday Mass readings have the theme of perseverance. Moses persisting in the fight against the Amalek's, St. Paul in encouraging St. Timothy to remain faithful in teaching and witness both when it's convenient and inconvenient, and the persistent widow in asking for a judgement from an unjust judge. We need to hear them over and over again. Why? For the simple reason because our hearts become wearisome. Don't quit. You are doing great. God is with you. Your future is shaped by the habits you repeat, not the goals you set. May God help us to run so as to win.

Scripture Readings for October 19, 2025

Exodus 17:8-13
Psalm 121:1-8
2 Timothy 3:14-4:2
Luke 18:1-8

Twenty Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Paul in his letter to St. Timothy encourages him to "fan into flame" the gift given him, not to be ashamed of witnessing Christ, and to hold fast to sound teaching. As Catholics we ought not to agree more. 

Scripture Readings for October 5, 2025

Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9
2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14
Luke 17:5-10

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The prophet Amos challenges us to see the suffering around us and respond. He goes on to imply further that indifference to others' suffering is a moral failure. Our Gospel presents the reality of Amos' preaching via the telling of the story of the rich man and Lazarus. Notice both the rich man and Lazarus' eternal destinies are reversed: the rich man had a name in society but now nameless in the afterlife. Lazarus who had no voice on earth now known by name in heaven.

Scripture Readings for September 28, 2025

Amos 6:1, 4-7
Psalm 146:7-10
1 Timothy 6:11-16
Luke 16:19-31

Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Having taken to prayer many of the recent incidents of violence in our country, it is painful to see how we as a country do not see one another. Rather, we see political sides, division, and contempt. Though there is much strife, we are never too far gone. Proof of this is found in our Gospel today regarding the unjust steward. May all the Souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.

Scripture Readings for September 21, 2025

Amos 8:4-7
Psalm 113:1-2, 4-8
1 Timothy 2:1-8

Luke 16:1-13

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:25). These words of Jesus seem shocking and harsh. Instead, Jesus is using a literary device called hyperbole, that uses extreme exaggeration to create a strong impression or emphasize a point; it’s not meant to be taken literally but rather to evoke emotion and action in the listener’s mind. 

We know these words are hyperbole because we know the overwhelming content of the Gospel message: Love. You and I are called to love God and neighbor, but when forced to make a choice, a disciple knows the answer. It is a total way of life that demands commitment, suffering, and sacrifice.

Scripture Readings for September 7, 2025

Wisdom 9:13-18
Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, and 17

Philemon 9-10, 12-17

Luke 14:25-33