Maurice Blumberg is a Jewish convert to the Catholicism, and the father of five children. He is currently the Director of Partner Relations for The Word Among Us Partners, a ministry of The Word Among Us to the Military, Prisoners, and women with crisis pregnancies or who have had abortions. Maurice was also the founding Executive Director of the National Fellowship of Catholic Men and was Chairman of the Board of The Word Among Us, a Catholic devotional magazine.
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 2nd Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 The Epiphany, A Reminder to Join the Lord in Building his Kingdom Arise! Shine, for your light has come. (Isaiah 60:1) What extravagant promises this reading contains! The […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14 Responsorial: Psalm 128:1-5 2nd Reading: Colossians 3:12-21 Gospel: Luke 2:22-40 Becoming Holy Faith-Filled Families, Reflecting God’s Love to One Another The child’s father and mother were amazed. (Luke 2:33) So here we are, on the cusp of a new year. […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Responsorial: Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29 2nd Reading: Romans 16:25-27 Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 Advent: A Time to Thank the Lord for His Unmerited Grace and Favor You have found favor with God. (Luke 1:30) We all know how […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11 Responsorial: Luke 1:46-50, 53-54 2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 Gospel: John 1:6-8, 19-28 Responding to the Call to Pray without Ceasing Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Without ceasing? That sounds impossible, doesn’t it? Take heart! Paul doesn’t really mean […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 Responsorial: Psalm 85:9-14 2nd Reading: 2 Peter 3:8-14 Gospel: Mark 1:1-8 Advent, A Time to Open Ourselves to a Deeper Infilling of the Holy Spirit He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:8) The Holy Spirit—he makes all […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7 Responsorial: Psalm 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3-9 Gospel: Mark 13:33-37 Advent, A Season of Hope and Expectation Be watchful! Be alert! (Mark 13:33) It’s the First Sunday of Advent, and you have just received an invitation: […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-17 Responsorial: Psalm 23:1-3, 5-6 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 28 Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46 The Second Coming of Jesus Christ When the Son of Man comes in his glory . . . (Matthew 25:31) Thinking about the Second Coming of Jesus […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 Responsorial: Psalm 128:1-5 2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30 Joining Jesus in Building his Kingdom Here on Earth When people are saying, “Peace and security,” then sudden disaster comes upon them. (1 Thessalonians 5:3) Today’s readings might […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Wisdom 6:12-16 Responsorial: Psalm 63:2-8 2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 Gospel: Matthew 25:1-13 Being Alert, Awake, and Ready to Meet the Lord When He Comes Those who were ready went into the wedding feast. (Matthew 25:10) Today’s parable of the ten virgins urges […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Malachi 1:14–2:2, 8-10 Responsorial: Psalm 131:1-3 2nd Reading: 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 13 Gospel: Matthew 23:1-12 The Centrality of Love in All Our Relationships With such affection . . .(1 Thessalonians 2:8) Isn’t it remarkable how easy it is to think it’s our job […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10 Responsorial: Psalm 23 2nd Reading: Philippians 4:12-14, 19-20 Gospel: Matthew 22:1-14 Accepting Jesus’ Invitation to Receive Him in a Deeper Way How is it that you came in here without a wedding garment? (Matthew 22:12) According to Jesus’ parable, some who […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28 Responsorial: Psalm 25:4-9 2nd Reading: Philippians 2:1-11 Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32 The Importance of Unity in Christ Have in you the same attitude that is also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5) Time for a quiz! What will make Paul’s joy “complete” (2:2)? […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9 Responsorial: Psalm 145: 2-3, 8-9, 17-18 2nd Reading: Philippians 1:20-24, 27 Gospel: Matthew 20:1-16 Understanding God’s Justice Compared to Our Human Sense of Justice I will give you what is just. (Matthew 20:4) Let’s talk about justice. The landowner in Jesus’ […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Sirach 27:30–28:7 Responsorial: Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12 2nd Reading: Romans 14:7-9 Gospel: Matthew 18:21-35 Responding to God’s Boundless Mercy and Love How often must I forgive? (Matthew 18:21) In his very first Sunday homily as the Holy Father, Pope Francis proclaimed, “This is the […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9 Responsorial: Psalm 63:2-6, 8-9 2nd Reading: Romans 12:1-2 Gospel: Matthew 16:21-27 The Importance of Reasoning in Faith or Thinking as God Does You are thinking . . . (Matthew 16:23) Poor Peter! He had just confessed that Jesus was the “Messiah, […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 Responsorial: Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8 2nd Reading: Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 Gospel: Matthew 15:21-28 Making Our Homes a House of Prayer My house shall be called a house of prayer. (Isaiah 56:7) Around the year AD 350, a popular […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13 Responsorial: Psalm 85:9-14 2nd Reading: Romans 9:1-5 Gospel: Matthew 14:22-23 Being Bold in Following the Lord and Serving Him O you of little faith. (Matthew 14:31) Have you ever seen a toddler take a few wobbly steps and then […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14 Responsorial: Psalm 97:1-2,5-6,9 2nd Reading: 2 Peter 1:16-19 Gospel: Matthew 17:1-9 He was transfigured before them. (Matthew 17:2) A radiant Messiah, an out-of-body experience, time-traveling superstars from the past, and talking clouds—the transfiguration is one of the […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 Responsorial: Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130 2nd Reading: Romans 8: 8:28-30 Gospel: Matthew 13:44-52 What It Means to Treasure the Kingdom of Heaven The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field. (Matthew 13:44) Who would […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 55:10-11 2nd Reading: Romans 8:18-23 Responsorial: Psalm 65:10-14 Gospel: Matthew 13:1-23 Bearing Fruit in Our Lives through Humble, Faithful, and Repentant Hearts My word shall not return to me void. (Isaiah 55:11) In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the image of seed sown […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Zechariah 9:9-10 2nd Reading: Romans 8:9, 11-13 Responsorial: Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14 Gospel: Matthew 11:25-30 Following Jesus with New Zeal and Childlike Faith You have revealed them to little ones. (Matthew 11:25) Life is an adventure for little children. Give a young boy […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16 2nd Reading: Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 Responsorial: Psalm 89:2-3, 16-19 Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42 Being a Generous Giver to Reflect God’s Generosity to Others Can something be done for her? (2 Kings 4:14) In a farewell speech at the end of […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Jeremiah 20:10-13 2nd Reading: Romans 5:12-15 Responsorial: Psalm 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35 Gospel: Matthew 10:26-33 Experiencing Jesus’ Love and Mercy, and Loving Him in Return Whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father. (Matthew 10:33) Most of Jesus’ words […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Responsorial: Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20 Gospel: John 6:51-58 Joyfully Receiving the Gift of Jesus’ Body and Blood in the Eucharist I am the living bread. (John 6:51) Every time Mass is celebrated, a miracle […]
