relating to liturgy or public worship
A Time of Testing (1st Sunday of Lent: Deuteronomy 24:4-10; Romans 10:8-13; Luke 4:1-13) Lent is upon us. We have made resolutions, perhaps to attend daily Mass or say more prayers. We have imposed certain sacrifices on ourselves (fasting from electronic devices, for example), possibly in view of benefiting others. In…
What’s in Your Heart? (Sirach 27:4-7; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45) There is an ad for a credit card that ends with the question, “What’s in your wallet?” Sirach, in today’s first reading, and Jesus in the Gospel, both ask, in effect, “What’s in your heart?” and they look for…
What a Challenge! (7thSunday: 1 Samuel 26:2-23; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49; Luke 6:27-38) At La Salette, Mary reminded us of our obligation to honor the Lord’s Name and the Lord’s Day (Mass and rest), to respect the discipline of Lent, and to pray. These are all included in her call to submit….
Like a Tree (6th Ordinary Sunday: Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17, 20-26) Twice today we encounter the image of a fruit tree planted by a source of water. Jeremiah uses it to describe those who trust in the Lord; the Psalm applies it to those who delight in…
Deeper Waters (5th Ordinary Sunday: Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11) There are many similarities in today’s three readings. For example, an extraordinary encounter with the Lord caused Isaiah, Paul, and Simon to be keenly aware of their sinfulness. This may be part of our own experience, too. Another comparison…
Indelibly Sealed, and Clothed (Baptism of the Lord: Isaiah 40:1-11; Titus 2:11-14, 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-22) “One baptism for the forgiveness of sins.” This phrase near the end of the Creed reflects the conclusion of a debate in the early Church. The question was whether Christians who were baptized by heretics,…
The Ambo (3rd Ordinary Sunday: Nehemiah 8:2-10; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Luke 1, 1-4 and 4:14-21) In the first reading Ezra stands on a platform specially built for the occasion, so that he may be better seen and heard, as he reads the Book of the Law. That structure is familiar to…
So Many Gifts (2nd Ordinary Sunday: Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11) We concluded last week’s reflection with these words: “Let us never forget or neglect the gift we received in our baptism.” Today’s readings will help us expand upon that theme. In Isaiah 6, the prophet described his calling….
In the Path of the Magi (Epiphany: Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-6; Matthew 2:1-12) The best definition we found for the Epiphany is: “The manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi” (Oxford Languages). In other words, their story is our story—as Christians and as La Salettes. The…
Always Welcome (Holy Family: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; 1 John 3:1-2, 21-24; Luke 2:1-52) At the General Audience of August 11, 1976, Pope Paul VI addressed parents as follows: “Mothers, do you teach your children the Christian prayers? … And you, fathers, do you pray with your children?” We are reminded…
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