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?”

Baptism of the Lord, Jan. 12 (Year A) Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29; Acts 10:34-38; Matthew 3:13-17

The servant of God described in Isaiah is truly a wondrous and powerful individual. He will establish justice in the land and on the Earth.

Epiphany of the Lord, Jan. 5 (Year A) Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72; Ephesians 32-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12

Without hope people cannot survive. When we lose the will to live or fail to find any kind of beauty, purpose or blessing in life or the world around us, decline and disintegration will surely follow.

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, Dec. 29 (Year A) Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14; Psalm 128; Colossians 3:12-21; Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23

Where and how do we learn compassion and gratitude? 

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Dec. 22 (Year A) Isaiah 7:10-14; Psalm 24; Romans 1:1-Matthew 1:18-24

The Word of God echoes and reverberates throughout human history. It’s the same voice, often with the same words, but they can carry many meanings, depending on the time in which one hears them.