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Saturday of the Thirty-fourth Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings Our readings have been reminding us that the night is far spent and the day is drawing near. We are called upon today to remain vigilant so that we do not miss the second coming of the Lord. And it is well that we receive that warning today, on the cusp as we…
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Thursday of the Thirty-fourth Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings Every now and then, in the Liturgy of the Word, we hear words that have directly influenced our prayers in the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Today is such an occasion. Just before we receive Holy Communion, I will elevate the host and the chalice and say: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him…
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Tuesday of the Thirty-fourth Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings I really don’t like that over-used phrase “at the end of the day.” But I can’t help but think about this tired old phrase when I read the Scriptures for the Liturgy in these last days of the Church year. Because the Liturgy is calling our attention to the fact that the end…
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Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
Today’s readings Today we celebrate the great feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ the King of the Universe. It’s one of those feasts that I think we can say, yeah, okay, I believe that. But it really doesn’t affect me. I mean, we don’t even have the political reference of being ruled by a king…
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Monday of the Thirty-third Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings “What do you want me to do for you?” I think that is perhaps the important question in the spiritual life. In fact, when I begin working with someone for spiritual direction, I usually have them spend some time reflecting on this Gospel reading. When I myself go on retreat, I reflect on it too.…
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Friday of the Thirty-second Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings So many religious people tend to get concerned about the end of time. Some years ago, there was a serious of books called Left Behind, and a couple of movies made from them. The premise was that Jesus returned to take all the faithful people home, and “left behind” everyone else. It’s a notion…
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Saint Josaphat, Bishop and Martyr
Today’s readings Today we celebrate the memorial of Saint Josaphat, who was born in what is now Poland to Orthodox parents. He later became a Basilian monk, and was chosen bishop of Vitebsk, in what is now Russia. His task was to bridge the divide between the Roman and Orthodox Church, but this was not…
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The Thirty-second Sunday of Ordinary Time: Giving Everything
Today’s readings Today’s Gospel has some rather obvious applications, not all of which are entirely accurate. For example, many may hear this Gospel reading as a condemnation of the rich or a warning against having too much money or pursuing wealth. Indeed, riches can be a distraction and an obstacle to a relationship with the…
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Of Movember, Pink Ribbons, Saint Baldrick’s and Reverence for Life
This post is my bulletin column for this week. Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Some years ago, it was popular to do the “ice bucket challenge” in order to raise funds for ALS, popularly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Many of my friends on social media were taking up the challenge, and I…
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Thursday of the Thirty-first Week of Ordinary Time
Today’s readings Today’s Gospel calls us to examine our perspective. Jesus asks, “What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it?” Well, those men he talked to were shepherds, or had shepherds in…
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