God does not forsake us Jeremiah 20:7-9 Romans 12:1-2 Matthew 16:21-27 The Book of Jeremiah provides this weekend’s first reading. Jeremiah was the son of a priest Hilkiah and therefore of the priestly caste. He was active as a prophet for two generations. Critics denounced him as disloyal to his people and race. He was […]

Loaves and fish Isaiah 55:1-3 Romans 8:35, 37-39 Matthew 14:13-21 The last and third section of the Book of Isaiah is the source of this weekend’s first reading. The first section of Isaiah was written when the Hebrews still were living in the Promised Land, although clashes among them had divided the land into two […]

God provides, in spite of the weeds Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 Romans 8:26-27 Matthew 13:24-43 The Book of Wisdom, which provides this weekend’s first reading, is the name not only of this book of the Old Testament, but of an entire genre of writings. Collectively, their purpose is to convey in human language, and for human […]

God awaits our call Zechariah 9:9-10 Romans 8:9, 11-13 Matthew 11:25-30 This weekend, the first reading is from the Book of Zechariah. Zechariah was of the priestly caste and was born in Babylon. His birth occurred during the time when many Jews were in forced exile in the Babylonian capital. He went to the Holy […]

Body, blood, soul and divinity Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14b-16a 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 John 6:51-58 This weekend the church celebrates the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, or as perhaps it is better known by its Latin translation, Corpus Christi. Feasts in the church have a dual purpose. They call Catholics to celebrate with faith […]

The divine Spirit descends Acts 2:1-11 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 John 20:19-23 This weekend the church celebrates Pentecost, one of the most important feasts of the liturgical year. It is richly biblical in its background and is profoundly educational both in its own message as well as in its place in the chronology of events […]

Successors to Peter and the Apostles Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Peter 3:15-18; John 14:15-21 The Acts of the Apostles once again this Easter season furnishes the first reading. In the readings earlier in this season, the identity of the Apostles has clearly been given. The Apostles, absent Judas of course, had exercised the very power […]

Jesus is the Good Shepherd Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Peter 2:20b-25; John 10:1-10 The Acts of the Apostles again furnishes the first biblical reading. As was the case last weekend, it is a passage recalling a time Peter spoke in behalf of all the Apostles. This event occurred on Pentecost, an important Jewish feast. Like […]

Meeting Jesus, face to face Acts 2:42-47 1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31 With faith-filled excitement the church continues the celebration it began a week and a day ago of Easter, the Lord’s resurrection and final victory over death and sin. As is the case in almost every Mass of this season, the first reading this […]

The Passion begins Matthew 21:1-11 Isaiah 50:4-7 Philippians 2:6-11 Matthew 26:14-27:66 This weekend observes Palm Sunday, recalling with great reverence the Lord’s traditional entry into Jerusalem, beginning the drama and depth of Holy Week. The liturgy includes two readings from the Gospels. The first occurs at the blessing of the palms and as the procession […]