December 22, 2024
4th Sunday of Advent On this final Sunday of Advent, the themes of hope, joy, and expectation that we have heard throughout the Season unite in reflection with themes of humility, obedience, and hospitality. In the first reading, we are assured of God’s faithfulness to humankind, working through the Prophet Micah, who prophesies the coming […]
December 21, 2024
The gospel for today could be summed up as “joyful expectation.” We can see joy and expectation in Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary and John’s reaction to Jesus. John leaps for joy in recognition of his cousin, and Elizabeth recognizes that Mary has an incredibly special role in the plan of salvation. Her knowledge of Mary’s […]
December 20, 2024
But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be since I have no relations with a man?” Mary’s response to the angel Gabriel is often interpreted as Mary saying that she was a virgin and that she wanted to remain such. Be that as it may, Mary is basically saying here that she had […]
December 19, 2024
As our journey through Advent continues, we are reminded today of the many mysteries God has in store for us: messages and acts that cannot be understood by the human mind but can only be accepted through unqualified faith. For Manoah’s wife, an angel appeared with the news that although thought to be barren, she […]
December 18, 2024
As we continue our Advent journey, we focus today on Saint Joseph. Every Catholic church has an image or a statue of this man. He was proclaimed the patron of the Universal Church, families, fathers, expectant mothers, travelers, craftsmen, workers, and refugees. And yet, not a single word of his is recorded in the New Testament. […]
December 17, 2024
Matthew’s genealogy underscores the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and Jesus’ role as the Messiah, the promised king who brings peace and justice. It also emphasizes the universality of Jesus’ mission. Gentiles and women are introduced in the lineage when the lineage breaks from the pattern of father to son. Matthew includes: Tamar (Genesis 38) […]
December 16, 2024
Teach me your ways! Teachers! Important people in our lives!. First are our parents, then school for most of us. I was blessed with some additional people who taught me to dance, to swim, to play the piano, to speak clearly. Today, I’ll listen to David, the author of the Responsorial Psalm, who cries out […]
December 15, 2024
3rd Sunday of Advent The gospel brings us to the banks of the Jordan River, where John is baptizing. As John preached, “the people were filled with expectation.” Those who listened to his message became fully engaged, feeling an urgency to prepare themselves for the imminent arrival of the Christ. The people asked John what […]
December 14, 2024
Memorial of Saint John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church Today’s Gospel tells us that the disciples understood John the Baptist as the one who would lead them to the Savior. Indeed, it was John the Baptist who cleared the pathway to goodness, repentance, love, and new life through the redeemer of […]
December 13, 2024
Memorial of Saint Lucy, Virgin, and Martyr Advent! The prophet Isaiah! The marvelous imagery he uses to share his good news and messages of hope. I love this time of the liturgical year. To my great joy, this prophet was a nature lover. We have already heard this Advent from Isaiah how “swords will be […]