Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus assures his disciples the peace given to them will be diametrically opposed to the peace the world offers. How can Jesus be both the Prince of Peace who teaches his disciples to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. While also in today's Gospel say that He has come to bring not peace but division? Is Jesus contradicting himself? Quite the contrary, Jesus came to pick a fight with the world, the flesh, and the devil.  Because He enters the arena first, He calls us to fight as well.

Scripture Readings for August 17, 2025

Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10

Psalm 40:2, 3, 4, 18

Hebrews 12:1-4

Luke 12:49-53

Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

An order of Trappist monks whose members live among the Muslim population in northern Africa. As the country is plunged into civil war in the mid-1990s, the men of God must decide whether to stay among the impoverished residents who have been their neighbors, or flee the encroaching fundamentalist terrorists. The situation that unfolds, based on actual events, has tragic consequences (Source: Rotten Tomatoes). 

The disciples in today's Gospel ask Jesus to teach them how to pray. In so doing, Jesus gives them the perfect prayer: The Our Father. Romans 8:28 reminds us, "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." 

Scripture Readings for July 27, 2025

Genesis 18:20-32
Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8
Colossians 2:12-14
Luke 11:1-13

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

With Jesus in her home, Martha is "anxious and worried" because she fails to see the "one thing" that all her busyness is ordered to: attending to the Lord Jesus Christ. At some point all the success and progress we have made in our lives will be passed on to future generations. Up until we arrive at this important moment, have we filled our life with many things or have we kept our eyes on the one thing that truly matters?

Scripture Readings for July 20, 2025

Genesis 18:1-10

Psalm 15:2-5
Colossians 1:24-28
Luke 10:38-42

Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The movie Nefarious (2023) tells the story on the day of a man’s scheduled execution, a convicted serial killer gets a psychiatric evaluation during which he claims he is a demon, and further claims that before their time is over, the psychiatrist will commit three murders of his own. 

In our Gospel for today, the seventy-two disciples whom Jesus sends out to prepare the way were more than simply missionaries, they were commissioned exorcists. Meaning, Jesus gave them power over demons, devils, evil spirits, and fallen angels. 

Yet, there is something greater than casting out demons…“REJOICE YOUR NAMES ARE WRITTEN IN HEAVEN.” This is our supreme triumph and defeat over the evil one. The enemy has been defeated. Death can’t hold you down. Gona lift our voice in victory and make our praises loud.

Scripture Readings for July 6, 2025

Isaiah 66:10-14

Psalm 66:1-7, 16, 20

Galatians 6:14-18

Luke 10:1-12, 17-20 

Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles

The Miracle of Dunkirk refers to the large-scale evacuation of Allied soldiers from Dunkirk, France, during World War II. Trapped by German forces, over 338,000 British and Allied troops were rescued by a combined effort of the Royal Navy and civilian boats between May 26 and June 4, 1940. 

Sts. Peter and St. Paul went on a spiritual rescue mission across the Roman world by evangelizing with boldness. They suffered and died as witnesses to Christ’s truth, strengthening the Church through their letters, doctrine, and leadership. Sts. Peter and Paul continue to intercede for the Church as saints in heaven. May the Church continue to accept the invitation from Christ by going behind enemy lines to save those in need.

Scripture Readings for June 29, 2025

Acts 12:1-11
Psalm 34:2-9
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18

Matthew 16:13-19

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ

The phrase Body of Christ was a deliberate chose of words for both the Eucharist and the Church. The Second Vatican Council calls the Church the people of God. The people of God are connected spiritually and invisibly to Christ through the gift of the Eucharist. May there be greater bonds of unity and peace as we recognize the gift of God in ourselves and another another.

Scripture Readings for June 22, 2025

Genesis 14:18-20
Psalm 110:1- 4

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Luke 9:11-17

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

There is a essential link between God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and humanity. St Paul outlines in our second reading today this necessary connection through the language of golden chains. Though there is much to say and can be said about the Most Holy Trinity, one of its greatest attributes is unity.

Scripture Reading for June 15, 2025

Proverbs 8:22-31

Psalm 8:4-9

Romans 5:1-5

John 16:12-15

Ascension of the Lord

There can be a temptation to think Jesus' ascension into heaven was his way of distancing himself physically and spiritually from humanity. Instead, Jesus reminds his disciples that he must go otherwise the Paraclete (Holy Spirit) will not come. Our Catholic Christian faith is rooted in the hope of both the Resurrection and the Ascension of the Lord. May the ascended Lord renew us in our quest to soar like eagles.

Scripture Readings for June 1, 2025

Acts 1:1-11

Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9

Hebrews 9:24-28; 10:19-23

Luke 24:46-53

Sixth Sunday in Easter

God is revealed in three stages throughout human history. First, God the Father is revealed in the Old Testament as above His creation. Next, God the Son is revealed in the New Testament by becoming human. Finally, the Holy Spirit is revealed through the Church within the heart of man. Knowing how important this relationship is with the creator of the heavens and the earth, allow God's dwelling to impact your mind, heart, and soul today.

Scripture Reading for May 24, 2025

Acts 15:1-2, 22-29

Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8

Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23

John 14:23-29

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Today's Gospel is one of Jesus' last earthly life discourses. He installs a new commandment: "Love one another as I have loved you. Love is an act of the will, demonstrating both one's care for another's wellbeing, while also reinforcing one's connection to Jesus as his disciples. Just because life is difficult does not mean we are not living life correctly. As our first reading from Acts reminds us, "it is necessary for us to undergo many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (14:22). Jesus death on the cross is a vivid reminder, that he loves us to the very end.

Scripture Readings for May 18, 2025  

Acts 14:21-27
Psalm 145:8-13
Revelation 21:1-5
John 13:31-33, 34-35