Third Sunday in Lent

St. Paul, in his First Letter to the Corinthians, calls people to remember the heart of faith: "proclaiming Christ crucified.” Though we may focus on Jesus' teaching or his miracles, the core of our faith is rooted in this reality. 

From the cross Jesus reveals God’s love to all people no matter who they are. Jesus proclaims God’s forgiveness to all. Therefore, our lives are intended to model service and sacrifice. Putting now this belief into practice beckons a call to action as individuals and as a community. Proclaiming Christ Crucified eliminates divisions that may develop within local communities, the Church, and society at large. 

Scripture Readings for March 3, 2024

Exodus 20:1-17
Psalm 19:8-11
1 Corinthians 1:22-25
John 2:13-25

Second Sunday in Lent

Mother Teresa, was once asked by a reporter in Calcutta, India whether she believed her work with the poor and marginalized was successful. Mother Teresa lovingly responded, "God does not call us to be successful, He calls us to be faithful."

The demonstration of Abraham's faithfulness in the book of Genesis, when he was on the verge of sacrificing his own beloved son Isaac, is critical in helping humanity understand God's intentions when it comes to trials and tribulations. God does not test humanity to crucify, rather through faithfulness to Him, He aims to crown humanity with righteousness. 

As we are now in the second week of Lent, what areas of our lives do we see God's invitation to persevere in faithfulness?

Scripture Reading for February 25, 2024

Genesis 22:1-2, 9-13, 15-18
Ps 116:10, 15-19 
Romans 8:31-34
Mark 9:2-10

First Sunday in Lent

This Lent we are once again invited to pay attention to our own desert. We investigate the desert of a society divided morally, politically, and in so many other ways. But we are also aware of a desert which we are called to enter willingly which helps us to open our hearts and our ears to the words of the Lord: “Repent and believe in the gospel.” We are invited once again into a process of metanoia, that is, of conversion and a change of mind and heart, of turning away from sin, and turning to God with all we are! In doing so, we become a light for others as well. 

As we begin this Lenten journey with curiosity, faith, and hope in our God of mercy and compassion, we walk with catechumens and candidates to the waters of baptism and the Easter Sacraments. For now, let us allow the ashes we received to burn not just our foreheads, but burn our hearts with the desire to follow Christ to the Cross, to the tomb, and to eternal life.

 
Scripture Reading for February 18, 2024

Genesis 9:8-15
Ps 25:4-9
1 Peter 3:18-22
Mark 1:12-15

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The wedding feast at Cana, in which Jesus turned water into wine, marked the end of his quiet life with Mary his mother, and the beginning of his public ministry in Galilee. Today's Gospel is a beautiful reminder God losing himself for humanity. It is Jesus Christ' thirst for souls that moves him toward fulfilling the will of his Father in heaven. What areas of our lives are we not open to God's healing nor his desire for us to be healers to those around us? 

Scripture Readings for February 11, 2024

Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11 
1 Corinthians 10:31—11:1
Mark 1:40-45 

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today's Gospel is quite eventful in the early public ministry of Jesus. The day can be divided into three periods of time in three different places going back to last Sunday's Gospel.

Using these events we can translate them to our own environment where Jesus wants to use His love and power to heal and make us whole via our Churches, homes, families, and neighborhoods.

Jesus desires to work with power in our hearts and give us His grace, peace, guidance, and love. Let’s invite him in to do so today. In doing so, we will become more deeply aware of Jesus’ constant presence in our lives and the world.

Scripture Readings for February 4, 2024

Job 7:1-4, 6-7
Psalm 147:1-6
1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23
Mark 1:29-39

Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

New Year's resolutions and the time before lent begins ought to be a time of preparation for change. We seek change because as beings in motion, God willing we are moving towards virtue and away from vice. To achieve our goals though, requires courage and an understanding of resistance. 

In today's Gospel Jesus' authority to remove the demon from a man takes center stage. Though this miracle happened over two thousand years ago, it is the same path we ought to take as well toward uncommon freedom: trust in the authority and power of Jesus Christ! 

Scripture Readings for January 28, 2024

Deuteronomy 18:15-20
Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9, 
1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Mark 1:21-28 

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings today remind us of something that is central in our life of faith, and that is the necessity for conversion. Repentance was preached by Jonah to the people of Nineveh when their actions and lives were displeasing to God. Jesus proclaimed this message as well at the beginning of his ministry according to the gospel of Mark. “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel” (Mk 1:15). 

Scripture Readings for January 21, 2024

Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 25:4-9 
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20 

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Common wisdom suggests that words are unimportant, that deeds are what really matter. Actions are important, but our experience teaches us that words are, too. 

After spending some time with Jesus, Andrew goes and finds his brother, Peter, and tells him, “We have found the Messiah.” And because of Andrew’s words, Peter leaves everything behind and follows Christ. 

Because of Andrew’s words, three years later Peter will suffer and die for the sake of Jesus Christ. Nothing in Peter’s life will be the same because of his brother Andrew’s words, “We have found the Messiah!” 

That is what the Lord wants from us. Proclaim his word and imitate his example to those in need. Christ wants both our words and actions to proclaim the same thing loudly: “We have found the Messiah. By your words and actions, how can you share this good news?

Scripture Reading for January 14, 2024

1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19
Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10
1 Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20
John 1:35-42

 

The Epiphany of the Lord

The Magi evoke the importance of alertness in the spiritual life. We must keep our eyes open to God's hand in the world and respond. The Magi come bearing three gifts: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Gold is symbolic of Christ the King. Frankincense is used for worship in the Temple, and Myrrh a perfume, was used to anoint dead bodies.

Whether the Magi were wise men from the east, kings from distant lands, or astrologers following a cosmic event, is not essential to the story. But what is significant is that they were gentiles. Their acknowledgment of Jesus as Savior emphasizes that he is the Messiah for all the world, not just for the Jews.

The Star not only led the Magi to the child, but is also symbolic of their enlightenment, the realization that it was Jesus' very humanity that mattered, not his wealth or social status. How does the Magi's journey to find the Christ child, born in a manger, resonate with your own journey to find Jesus in your own life? 

Scripture Readings for January 7, 2024

Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13
Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6
Matthew 2:1-12 

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger" (Luke 2: 11-16).

Merry Christmas!!!

May God continue to send you His presence, peace, and joy this holy season!