14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 9 (Year A) Zechariah 9:9-10; Psalm 145; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30

Prophetic texts express the deepest longings of the human heart. Most often, these are desires for peace, justice and happiness. Poetry, literature, music and art also bear witness to these hopes, and these diverse forms of expression find their way into the lyrical chants and proclamations of the prophets.

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 2 (Year A) 2 Kings 4:8-12a, 14-16; Psalm 89; Romans 6:3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10:37-42

The Bible is a book of familiar themes that find their way into many different stories.

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, June 25 (Year A) Jeremiah 20:10-13; Psalm 69; Romans 5:12-15; Matthew 10:26-33

Jeremiah felt absolutely overwhelmed and besieged. His entire prophetic ministry was marked by persecution, ridicule, rejection and attempts on his life. It seemed to him that a host of enemies was arrayed against him, all intent on his destruction.

Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, June 18 (Year A) Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16; Psalm 147; 1 Corinthians 10:16-17; John 6:51-59

What is the most important thing for human survival?

Most Holy Trinity, June 11 (Year A) Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9; Daniel 3; 2 Corinthians 13:11-13; John 3:16-18

Who is God? There is no shortage of talk, theories, books and adamant assertions about God, but what does God have to say?

Pentecost Sunday, June 4 (Year A) Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23

Being filled with the Holy Spirit can be a rather scary thing. It cares little for our prejudices, opinions, fears and personal preferences, and is prone to take us where we do not want to go and ask us to do things from which we shrink in fear.

Ascension of the Lord, May 28 (Year A) Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20

Where did Jesus go when He ascended? Where is God? Physics, astronomy and other branches of science have shown the old spatial notion of God and the heavens to be inadequate. God is not “up there” or in any particular place, but equally present throughout the universe.

Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 21 (Year A) Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Psalm 66; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21

The Samaritans were depicted in a positive light throughout the New Testament, despite the tension and negative feelings between them and mainstream Jews.

Fifth Sunday of Easter, May 14 (Year A) Acts 6:1-7; Psalm 33; 1 Peter 2:4-9; John 14:1-12

Dissension and resentment in the Christian community is nothing new.

Fourth Sunday of Easter, May 7 (Year A) Acts 2:14a, 36b-41; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 2:20b-25; John 10:1-10

The Spirit gives us the courage and strength to speak and act despite our fear.