Second Sunday of Easter Acts of the Apostles 5:12-16; Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19; John 20:19-31 The Acts of the Apostles supplies this weekend’s first reading. The first several chapters of Acts are fascinating since they so well depict the life of the early Christian community in Jerusalem. This depiction begins with the story of the […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Passion reveals God’s steadfast love and mercy
Palm Sunday Luke 19:28-40 (blessing of the palms); Isaiah 50:4-7; Philippians 2:6-11; Luke 22:14-23:56 The church this weekend leads us to the climax of Lent, the observance of Holy Week, by offering the impressive liturgy of Palm Sunday. Recalling the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem — for Luke the utter apex of the entire […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: God is merciful, even when we stray
Fourth Sunday of Lent Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 This weekend the church observes Laetare Sunday, the name being derived from the first word, in Latin, of the entrance antiphon. This word is “laetare,” or “rejoice.” The church rejoices that salvation, finalized in the sacrifice and resurrection of Jesus, is near. Priests may […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Connect, commit to Jesus during Lent
Second Sunday of Lent Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 9:28b-36 The Book of Genesis is the source of the first reading. It is a story about Abraham, whom the Jews regarded, and regard, as the father of their people. Abraham is also seen as the spiritual father of all who know and honor the […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Union with God calls for plan, action
Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sirach 27:4-7; 1 Corinthians 15:54-58; Luke 6:39-45 The Book of Sirach is the source of the first reading. Sirach does not appear in the King James, or authorized, version of the Bible, the translation used by most Protestant denominations. Protestants at times ask Catholics why Sirach “was added” to Catholic […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Earthly lures deny us life in the spirit
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Jeremiah 17:5-8; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20; Luke 6:17, 2-26 For its first reading, this weekend’s liturgy presents a selection from the Book of Jeremiah. Jeremiah must have been intense in his personality. First of all, he was strongly committed to his calling to be a prophet. He keenly felt that […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Ancient traditions still offer guidance
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40. This weekend, the church celebrates the feast of the Presentation of the Lord, reminding us, first, of the Jewish heritage of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. For pious Jews, as were Mary and Joseph, the event of presentation was very important. Think of […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: When we need help, Jesus will be there
Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 62:1-5; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; John 2:1-11 The Book of Isaiah furnishes this weekend’s first reading. When this third section of Isaiah was written, the Hebrew people had just emerged from a terrible period in their history. Their homeland, divided into two kingdoms after the death of King Solomon, had […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Let us follow God’s call to ‘perfect day’
Epiphany of the Lord Isaiah 60:1-6; Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Matthew 2:1-12 This weekend the church celebrates the ancient feast of the Epiphany of the Lord, reflecting upon the visit of magi “from the East” to the crib of the newborn savior. The first reading is from the third and last section of Isaiah. After four […]
Msgr. Owen F. Campion: Promise of savior brings joy, hope
Fourth Sunday of Advent Micah 5:1-4a; Hebrews 10:5-10; Luke 1:39-45. This weekend observes the last Sunday in Advent. The first reading is from the Book of Micah, who is regarded as one of the minor prophets, in large part because of the book’s brevity. It contains only seven chapters. (By contrast, the Book of Isaiah […]
