Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 22 (Year A) 1 Samuel 16:1b, 6-7,10-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41

Do not judge by outward appearances! We would save ourselves a lot of grief if we would only heed these instructions from God to Samuel. It has been repeated by Jesus in the Gospel of John and many spiritual writers since then.

Third Sunday of Lent, March 15 (Year A) Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42

Water is an absolute necessity for life. We feel its absence very quickly and soon reach a point where we would do anything to quench our thirst.

Second Sunday of Lent, March 8 (Year A) Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 33; 2 Timothy 1:8b-10; Matthew 17:1-9

So much can hang on a simple yes or no response to a calling from God.

First Sunday of Lent, March 1 (Year A) Genesis 2:7-9, 16-18, 25, 3:1-7; Psalm 51; Romans 5:12-19; Matthew 4:1-11

What is the root sin of humanity? Despite the many likely candidates, there is but one: self. 

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 23 (Year A) Leviticus 19:1-2, 17-18; Psalm 103; 1 Corinthians 3:16-23; Matthew 5:38-48

God called the people of Israel to be holy, just as God is. In Old Testament language, however, “holy” meant “set apart” or “completely different.” 

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 16 (Year A) Sirach 15:15-20; Psalm 119; 1 Corinthians 2:6-10; Matthew 5:17-37

Freedom is a two-edged sword, for with freedom comes responsibility. 

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Feb. 9 (Year A) Isaiah 58:6-10; Psalm 112; 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Matthew 5:13-16

Religious faith should not be confined to specific times and occasions. Genuine faith is a way of life and of being human. 

Presentation of the Lord (Year A) Feb. 2, Malachi 3:1-4; Psalm 24; Hebrews 2:10-22, 13b-18; Luke 2:22-40

Saints and ascetics have often achieved great feats of self-denial and mortification. But there is a spiritual practice that is far more difficult although not as showy, and it is reserved for spiritually mature individuals. This is the art/skill of waiting — but only with the correct frame of mind. 

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jan. 26 (Year A) Isaiah 9:1-4; Psalm 27; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17-18; Matthew 4:12:23

Light and darkness are two of the most powerful and frequently used symbols in the Scriptures. 

Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jan. 19 (Year A) Isaiah 49:3, 5-6; Psalm 40; 1 Corinthians 1:1-3; John 1:29-34

One of the most unsettling questions that we can ask of ourselves is: “Who am I, and why am I here?”