Letters From Home

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. Clare by Dr. John Bergsma.

Clare, Virgin, Religious Founder Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Deuteronomy 4: 32-40
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 77: 12-13, 14-15, 16 and 21
Alleluia: Matthew 5: 10
Gospel: Matthew 16: 24-28

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Feast of St. Lawrence by Ms. Joan Watson.

Lawrence, Deacon, Martyr Feast First Reading: Second Corinthians 9: 6-10
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 112: 1-2, 5-6, 7-8, 9
Alleluia: John 8: 12bc
Gospel: John 12: 24-26

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. John Bergsma.

Ordinary Weekday/ Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Virgin, Martyr First Reading: Numbers 13: 1-2, 25 – 14: 1, 26a-29a, 34-35
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 106: 6-7ab, 13-14, 21-22, 23
Alleluia: Luke 7: 16
Gospel: Matthew 15: 21-28

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Shane Owens.

Dominic, Priest, Religious Founder Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Numbers 12: 1-13
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 51: 3-4, 5-6ab, 6cd-7, 12-13
Alleluia: John 1: 49b
Gospel: Matthew 14: 22-36 or Matthew 15: 1-2, 10-14

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time by Dr. Scott Hahn.

Ordinary Weekday/ Sixtus II, Pope, Martyr, & Companions, Martyrs/ Cajetan, Priest First Reading: Numbers 11: 4b-15
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 81: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17
Alleluia: Matthew 4: 4
Gospel: Matthew 14: 13-21

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Readings:
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
2 Peter 1:16-19
Matthew 17:1-9

High on the holy mountain in today’s Gospel, the true identity of Jesus is fully revealed in His transfiguration.

Standing between Moses and the prophet Elijah, Jesus is the bridge that joins the Law of Moses to the prophets and psalms (see Luke 24:24–27). As Moses did, Jesus climbs a mountain with three named friends and beholds God’s glory in a cloud (see Exodus 24:1, 9, 15). As Elijah did, He hears God’s voice on the mountain (see 1 Kings 19:8–19).

Elijah was prophesied to return as the herald of the Messiah and the Lord’s new covenant (see Malachi 3:1, 23–24). Jesus is revealed today as that Messiah. By His death and resurrection, which He intimates today to the Apostles, He makes a new covenant with all creation.

The majestic voice declares Jesus to be God’s own beloved Son, in whom the Father is well pleased (see Psalm 2:7). God here gives us a glimpse of His inner life. In the cloud of the Holy Spirit, the Father reveals His love for the Son, and invites us to share in that love as His beloved sons and daughters.

Shadowed by the clouds of heaven, His clothes dazzling white, Jesus is the Son of Man whom Daniel foresees being enthroned in today’s First Reading.

He is the king, the Lord of all the earth, as we sing in today’s Psalm. But is He truly the Lord of our hearts and minds?

The last word God speaks from heaven today is a command—“Listen to Him” (see Deuteronomy 18:15–19). The Word of the Lord should be like a lamp shining in the darkness of our days, as Peter tells us in today’s Second Reading.

How well are we listening? Do we attend to His word each day?

Let us today rededicate ourselves to listening. Let us hear Him as the word of life, the bright morning star of divine life waiting to arise in our hearts (see Revelation 2:28; 22:16).

Lecturas:
Daniel 7, 9-10, 13-14
Salmo 97, 1-2, 5-6, 9
2 Pedro 1, 16-19
Matteo 17, 1-9

El evangelio de este domingo muestra cómo Cristo, mediante su Transfiguración, revela su verdadera identidad en la cima de la montaña santa.

Situado en medio de Moisés y Elías, Jesús es el puente que une la Ley antigua, los profetas y los salmos (Cfr. Lc 24, 24-27). Como Moisés, Jesús sube a la montaña con tres acompañantes cuyos nombres conocemos y contempla la gloria de Dios en una nube (Cfr. Ex 24, 1,9,15). Como Elías, Él también escucha la voz de Dios en la montaña (1R 19, 8-19).

Según la profecía, Elías tenía que regresar como heraldo del Mesías y de la Nueva Alianza con el Señor (Cfr. Ml 3,1, 23-24). Jesús se revela ahora como ese Mesías. Por su muerte y resurrección, como él lo dice en la intimidad a sus apóstoles, hace una Nueva Alianza con toda la Creación.

La voz majestuosa anuncia a Jesús como el mismo Hijo amado de Dios, en quien el Padre se complace (Cfr. S 2,7). Con esas palabras, Dios nos permite asomarnos brevemente a su interior. En la nube que representa el Espíritu Santo, el Padre revela su amor hacia el Hijo y nos invita a compartir ese amor como hijos suyos bienamados.

Envuelto en las nubes del cielo, con sus vestiduras resplandecientes, Jesús es el Hijo del Hombre cuya entronización profetiza Daniel en la primera lectura de este domingo.

Él es el rey, el Señor de toda la tierra, como cantamos en el salmo de este domingo. Pero debemos preguntarnos, ¿es también Cristo el Señor de nuestra mente y de nuestro corazón?

En el Evangelio de hoy, la última palabra que Dios dice desde el cielo es un mandato: “Escúchenlo” (Cfr. Dt 18, 15-19).

La palabra del Señor debería ser una luz que brilla en las tinieblas, como nos dice San Pedro en la segunda lectura. Sin embargo, ¿estamos realmente escuchando? ¿Ponemos atención a su Palabra cada día?

Dispongámonos nuevamente a escuchar. Oigamos a Cristo como Palabra de vida; contemplémoslo como radiante Lucero del alba (Cfr. Ap 2, 28; 22,16) que aguarda el momento de levantarse en el interior de nuestros corazones.

The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time by Mr. Clement Harrold.

Ordinary Weekday/ Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary/ Dedication of the Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome First Reading: Leviticus 25: 1, 8-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 67: 2-3, 5, 7-8
Alleluia: Matthew 5: 10
Gospel: Matthew 14: 1-12

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Memorial of St. John Vianney by Dr. John Bergsma.

John Mary Vianney, Priest Obligatory Memorial First Reading: Leviticus 23: 1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34b-37
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 81: 3-4, 5-6, 10-11ab
Alleluia: First Peter 1: 25
Gospel: Matthew 13: 54-58

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The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time by Ms. Joan Watson.

Ordinary Weekday First Reading: Exodus 40: 16-21, 34-38
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 84: 3, 4, 5-6a and 8a, 11
Alleluia: Acts 16: 14b
Gospel: Matthew 13: 47-53

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