January 24, 2025
Memorial of Saint Francis de Sales The author of Hebrews writes to an early Jewish-Christian Community—and to us—that the Lord will place his covenant in our minds and hearts: I will be their God, and they shall be my people. For the Jewish members of this community, this would have harkened back to the covenant […]
January 23, 2025
We know who you are, the Son of God.! So did the evil spirits proclaim- darkness was blinded by the Light! Jesus told them to be still… yet three chapters later, in this same Gospel, we read about Jesus asking his disciples: Who do the people say that I am? Who do you say that […]
January 22, 2025
‘Prince of Peace’. ‘King of peace’. The first is a name Isaiah gave to the Messiah who was to come; the other is the title Abraham gave to Melchizedek. Mark’s Gospel shows Jesus as a real bringer of peace, but not the peace we often think of where armies lay down their weapons and nations […]
January 21, 2025
Memorial of Saint Agnes, Virgin, and Martyr Saint Paul reminds the early church of God’s covenant with Abraham. God promises Abraham, “I will indeed bless you and multiply you.” Through faith and perseverance, Abraham’s promise is fulfilled. The apostle reminds those who are working in their faith communities that God will remember their works. We […]
January 20, 2025
There is much to be learned in today’s first reading. During our celebrations of Eucharist, when the readings or prayers mentioned Melchizedek, I often wondered about him. First appearing in Genesis, he is identified as the king of Salem, ancient Jerusalem. He was honored by Abraham as a priest of the Most High God. The […]
January 19, 2025
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Superstitions and beliefs abound regarding weddings. On the day of our wedding, the dresses were to be delivered to the church at 5:00 PM but ended up being delivered at 10:00 AM. The Sisters at the parish convent graciously held onto them. Their good deed was rewarded with an invitation […]
January 18, 2025
The word of God is a double-edged sword. Sometimes following Christ is easy; other times, it is truly difficult. Jesus expects much from those who follow Him. So, ponder this…. Will there ever be a time when we will witness peace instead of brother against brother, sister against sister, mother against mother, religion against religion? […]
January 17, 2025
In today’s Gospel, we read of a large crowd who gathered to hear Jesus. No doubt many of them came from a distance when they heard Jesus was in Capernaum. They had come because they hoped to hear the message of Jesus, or perhaps they hoped for a cure. The four men carrying the paralytic […]
January 16, 2025
“If you wish, you can make me clean,” a leper begs, down on his knees in front of Jesus, for a cure for his dreaded leprosy disease. Moved with pity, Jesus responds, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The man’s body is cleansed by his fervent act of faith, and he goes out and […]
January 15, 2025
Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed. Jesus prayed—often. We see him praying before all the important moments in his life. Most striking, perhaps, was his need to pray for 40 days before beginning his public ministry. We see him today praying before launching his […]
