25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sept. 24 (Year A) Isaiah 55:6-9; Psalm 145; Philippians 1:20-24, 27; Matthew 20:1-16

We often search high and low for something precious that we cannot find. Convinced that it has been lost or stolen, we might even replace it. Then, lo and behold, we find it in the most obvious place, sometimes staring us right in the face.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) Sept. 17 (Sirach 27:30- 28:7; Psalm 103; Romans 14:7-9; Matthew 18:21-35)

Anger, wrath and resentment can poison the mind, body and soul. They can make people miserable and unhappy, or even ruin physical health. Left unchecked, these emotions can destroy families, work environments, societies and even peace between nations.

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sept. 10 (Year A) Ezekiel 33:7-9; Psalm 95; Romans 13:8-10; Matthew 18:15-20

Sin ultimately affects an entire community. There is no such thing as a private sin. Sooner or later, misdeeds make an impact on the physical, psychological and spiritual environment.

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sept. 3 (Year A) Jeremiah 20:7-9; Psalm 63; Romans 12:1-2; Matthew 16:21-27

Jeremiah was thoroughly sick of his mission and ministry and wanted to quit.

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 13 (Year A) 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13; Psalm 85; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33

When we seek the presence of God, what do we expect to encounter? Hollywood biblical epics left no doubt — thunder, power, fireworks and perhaps even a voice booming from Heaven.

Transfiguration of the Lord, Aug. 6 (Year A) Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14; Psalm 97; 2 Peter 1:16-19

Daniel’s vision has a long afterlife. It has been burned into the consciousness of the three Abrahamic religions and is at the core of most apocalyptic theology.

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 30 (Year A) 1 Kings 3:5-12; Psalm 119; Romans 8:28-30; Matthew 13:44-52

Imagine a supernatural being offering to grant us whatever we ask. This has been a recurrent theme in legends and mythology.

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 23 (Year A) Wisdom 12:13, 16-19; Psalm 86; Romans 8:26-27; Matthew 13:24-43

The righteous must be kind. This short, blunt but profound principle is often overlooked or pushed aside by overly zealous religious people or moral crusaders.

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 16 (Year A) Isaiah 55:10-11; Psalm 65; Romans 8:18-23; Matthew 13:1-23

The Word of God is a dynamic and creative expression of the divine will, at work at every moment and in every place. It is not confined to the borders of the Church, nor can it be controlled by human beings. Its work is healing, guiding, inspiring and drawing all humanity back to its divine source.

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.