Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 8:23–9:3 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Responsorial: Psalm 27:1, 4, 13-14 Gospel: Matthew 4:12-23 The Power of Unity and Love in Healing Divisions in Churches and Families I urge . . . that you be united. (1 Corinthians 1:10) At the […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 2nd Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 Responsorial: Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-10 Gospel: John 1:29-34 Seeing Jesus More Clearly, A Work of the Holy Spirit Behold, the Lamb of God. (John 1:29) Every Sunday, just before we receive the Eucharist, the priest […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 2nd Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6 Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13 Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 The Importance of Listening to and Being Guided by the Holy Spirit The star that they had seen at its rising preceded them. (Matthew 2:9) The Magi certainly […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Numbers 6:22-27 2nd Reading: Galatians 4:4-7 Responsorial: Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8 Gospel: Luke 2:16-21 Joining Mary in Pondering and Praising the Lord Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart. (Luke 2:19) On this New Year’s Day, you might say, […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10 2nd Reading: Hebrews 1:1-6 Responsorial: Psalm 98:1-6 Gospel: John 1:1-18 Seeing God’s Humility and His Plan for Us in the Birth of Jesus The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14) The date: December 1223. The place: […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 2nd Reading: Romans 1:1-7 Responsorial: Psalm 24:1-6 Gospel: Matthew 1:18-24 Allowing the Coming of Emmanuel, God with Us, to Change Our Lives They shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.” (Matthew 1:23) “Emmanuel.” You can imagine what that […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10 2nd Reading: James 5:7-10 Responsorial: Psalm 146:6-10 Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11 Activating Your Spiritual Instincts They will see the glory of the Lord. (Isaiah 35:2) Do you want to see “the glory of the Lord” this Advent? Of course you do! […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 11:1-10 2nd Reading: Romans 15:4-9 Responsorial: Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Gospel: Matthew 3:1-12 Being Baptized with the Holy Spirit and Fire He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. (Matthew 3:11) In his Letter to the Romans, St. Paul […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: 2 Samuel 5:1-3 2nd Reading: Colossians 1:12-20 Responsorial: Psalm 122:1-5 Gospel: Luke 23:35-43 The Preeminence of Jesus Christ Our King Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. (Luke 23:42) At the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC, you will […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Malachi 3:19-20 2nd Reading: 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Responsorial: Psalm 98:5-9 Gospel: Luke 21:5-19 Living a Simple Life Fixed on the Lord We did not act in a disorderly way among you. (2 Thessalonians 3:7) The Thessalonian church was in a state of confusion […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 2nd Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 Responsorial: Psalm 17:1, 5-6, 8, 15 Gospel: Luke 20:27-38 Living as a New Creation in Christ The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3) […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Wisdom 11:22–12:2 2nd Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:11–2:2 Responsorial: Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14 Gospel: Luke 19:1-10 Opening Ourselves to God’s Transforming Love and Mercy The Lord is gracious and merciful. (Psalm 145:8) From the general audience of Pope Francis, January 13, 2016: “In Sacred […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 2nd Reading: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Responsorial: Psalm 34:2-3, 17-19, 23 Gospel: Luke 18:9-14 Living a Life Grounded on God’s Love, Not on Judging Others I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity. (Luke 18:11) Have […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Exodus 17:8-13 2nd Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14–4:2 Responsorial: Psalm 121:1-8 Gospel: Luke 18:1-8 Being Vigilant, Persistent, and Faithful in Prayer When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (Luke 18:8) What a peculiar way to end this parable! Why […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: 2 Kings 5:14-17 2nd Reading: 2 Timothy 2:8-13 Responsorial: Psalm 98:1-4 Gospel: Luke 17: 11-19 Allowing Jesus to Bring Wholeness and Healing To Our Lives I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the Lord. (2 Kings […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Habakkuk 1:2-3; 2:2-4 2nd Reading: 2 Timothy 1:6-8, 13-14 Responsorial: Psalm 95:1-2, 6-9 Gospel: Luke 17:5-10 Living as “Unprofitable Servants” of the Lord We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do. (Luke 17:10) Didn’t Jesus call us his […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Amos 6:1, 4-7 2nd Reading: 1 Timothy 6:11-16 Responsorial: Psalm 146:7-10 Gospel: Luke 16:19-31 Responding to God’s Call and Mission for Our Lives Lying at his door was a poor man. (Luke 16:20) Some theologians believe that few will go to heaven. Other […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Amos 8:4-7 2nd Reading: 1 Timothy 2:1-8 Responsorial: Psalm 113:1-2, 4-8 Gospel: Luke 16:1-13 Being Generous Stewards of God’s Gifts and Graces No servant can serve two masters. (Luke 16:13) Have you heard about the dying man who won the lottery? Concerned that […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Exodus 32:7-11, 13-14 2nd Reading: 1 Timothy 1:12-17 Responsorial: Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19 Gospel: Luke 15:1-32 Forgiving Others as God has Forgiven Us This man welcomes sinners. (Luke 15:2) Fifteen years ago today, we saw the twin towers at the World Trade […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Wisdom 9:13-18 2nd Reading: Philemon 9-10, 12-17 Responsorial: Psalm 90:3-6, 12-17 Gospel: Luke 14:25-33 Answering Jesus Call to Follow Him No Matter What the Cost Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost? (Luke […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29 2nd Reading: Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24 Responsorial: Psalm 68:4-7, 10-11-2 Gospel: Luke 14:1, 7-14 Making Jesus the Center of Your Life A more distinguished guest . . . (Luke 14:8) In the second century AD, the scientist/astronomer Claudius Ptolemy presented […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Isaiah 66:18-21 2nd Reading: Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13 Responsorial: Psalm 117:1-2 Gospel: Luke 13:22-30 Receiving God’s Life-giving and Purifying Discipline God treats you as sons. (Hebrews 12:7) “Relationship.” The dictionary defines this word as “the way in which two or more people talk to, […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10 2nd Reading: Hebrews 12:1-4 Responsorial: Psalm 40:2-4, 18 Gospel: Luke 12:49-53 What Does It Mean to Fix Our Eyes on Jesus? . . . keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2) At one point during the Israelites’ journey to […]
Meditation and Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion Mass Readings: 1st Reading: Wisdom 18:6-9 2nd Reading: Hebrews 11:1-2, 8-19 Responsorial: Psalm 33:1, 12, 18-22 Gospel: Luke 12:32-48 Growing in Faith and “the realization of what is hoped for” Faith is the realization of what is hoped for. (Hebrews 11:1) Famous people who excel in their […]
