Think about the fact that you have a desire to love God and follow his will. Consider the difficulty of being faithful to him when it is tiring or inconvenient. How could it be that the saints before us were like spiritual and charitable super heroes? Is there a saint medicine we’re missing out on?… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – September 6, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday September 6, 2015 Lectionary: 128 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for September 6, 2015, the twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time. Thank you for joining us as we break open the Word of God to prepare our hearts and minds for this Sunday’s Mass. This week Jesus… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – August 16, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] Sunday August 16, 2015 Lectionary: 119 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for August 16, 2015, the twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Thank you for joining us as we open up the Word of God to prepare our hearts and minds for this Sunday’s Mass. This week… [Read More]
The Beauty of The Dark Night
Saint John of the Cross has a reputation for being a guy who does not care much for your feelings. His name sometimes sounds like a penance. People hear “dark night” and think of an isolated exile with little or no hope. While I cannot correct that error in a short article, I would like to… [Read More]
Sunday Says – August 9, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday, August 9, 2014 Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 116 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 1 Kings 19:4-8 In this week’s first reading from the book of Kings, we return to Elijah in a dramatic scene where he has just about given up on life. He even calls out to the Lord to come and… [Read More]
From Old Adam to New in 7 Easy Sketches (Review: “Bible Basics for Catholics”)
You can learn the story of the Bible in seven easy stick figures. Several summers ago, I took a weekly crash course on salvation history. It absolutely changed the way I see the Bible. Have you ever heard the prophets or psalms talking about Israel and Judah as though they’re separate places and been very… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – August 2, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] Sunday August 2, 2015 Lectionary: 113 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for August 2, 2015, the eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Thank you for joining us as we open up the Word of God to prepare our hearts and minds for this Sunday’s Mass. This week… [Read More]
Sunday Says – July 26, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday, July 26, 2015 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 110 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 2 Kings 4:42-44 This week’s first reading is a little-known story from the book of Kings. Elisha is a faithful prophet of God that has worked many miracles to give him the credibility he needs before the people to call… [Read More]
Sunday Says – July 12, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday, July 12, 2015 Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 104 (NAB Translation)(Jerusalem Bible Translation) Reading 1 Amos 7:12-15 This week’s first reading comes from Amos, a prophet we don’t hear much from at Sunday Masses. In this short except, we hear the priest Amaziah, trying to banish Amos from Bethel to the southern kingdom… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – June 28, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] Sunday Says Podcast – June 28, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections Sunday June 28, 2015 Lectionary: 98 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for June 28, 2015, the thirteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Thank you for joining us as we open up the Word of God… [Read More]
A Response to “What Sucks about the Catholic Church”
Every spring brings the Church a batch of shiny new Catholics, and every year I see the same list of complaints. No, not the ones about people “taking your pew.” The ones about the niggling weaknesses in the Church. Many adults who enter the Catholic Church, especially those who were members of other Christian traditions… [Read More]
How The Bible Can Lead To Atheism
I came across a YouTube video where Penn Jillette, the famous comedian/magician and notorious atheist, starred on a YouTube channel called Big Think where he made a comment that made me ponder. The video can be summed up in one question, “What made you become an atheist?” He responded, “I read the Bible.” He went… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – June 14, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] Sunday Says Podcast – June 14, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections Sunday June 14, 2015 Lectionary: 92 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for June 14, 2015, the eleventh Sunday of Ordinary Time. Thank you for joining us as we open up the Word of God… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 31, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
The Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Lectionary: 165 (NAB Translation) The Sunday after Pentecost is celebrated in honor of our God as the Most Holy Trinity. This week and the next week help us to focus on the realities we experience in the Lord. Reading 1 Deuteronomy 4:32-34, 39-40 The first reading from… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 24, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Pentecost Sunday – May 24, 2015 Lectionary: 6 (NAB Translation) This is the great celebration of Pentecost, the joyful end to the season of Easter. Reading 1 ACTS 2:1-11 This week’s first reading is the central story of the Pentecost event in the book of Acts. We hear how the Holy Spirit was poured out… [Read More]
Learn Scripture By Threading
Why learn scripture? The disciples in a certain sense become “drawn into intimacy with God by being immersed in the word of God. God’s word is, so to speak, the purifying bath, the creative power which changes them and makes them belong to God”. And since Christ himself is God’s Word made flesh (Jn 1:14) –… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 17,2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Solemnity Of The Ascension Of The Lord May 17, 2015 Lectionary: 58 (NAB Translation) Traditionally the Ascension is celebrated exactly 40 days into Easter on a Thursday, which is also 9 days before Pentecost. The United States bishops decided to most this solemnity to the 7th Sunday of Easter to ensure that more people… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – May 10, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] Sunday May 10, 2015 Lectionary: 56 6th Sunday of Easter (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for May 10, 2015, the sixth Sunday in Easter. Thank you for joining us as we open the Word of God to prepare our hearts and minds for this Sunday’s Mass. As we prepare for the… [Read More]
Sunday Says – May 3, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Fifth Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 53 (NAB Translation) Sunday, May 3, 2015 Reading 1 Acts 9:26-31 This week’s first reading continues in the Acts of the Apostles during this season of Easter. Last week we heard about how Jesus met Paul on the road to Damascus. Saul had been known for His persecution of… [Read More]
Sunday Says – April 26, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Fourth Sunday of Easter – Good Shepherd Sunday Lectionary: 50 (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Bible Readings) Reading 1 ACTS 4:8-12 This week’s first reading continues in the book of the Acts of the Apostles. In this section of the story, Peter is speaking before the Sanhedrin to address his healing of the cripple beggar. St Peter’s… [Read More]
Sunday Says – April 19, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Third Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 47 (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Bible Readings) Reading 1 Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 In the season of easter, we place a large scriptural focus on the book of the Acts of the Apostles to show the important consequences of the resurrection of Jesus. We continue this week in a section where St… [Read More]
Sunday Says – April 12, 2015 – Mass Readings and Reflection
Second Sunday of Easter Sunday of Divine Mercy [powerpress] Lectionary: 44 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) This is the great feast of Mercy which was proclaimed by John Paul II to fulfill the desires of Jesus as expressed to St Faustina. It’s a beautiful day to focus on the Divine Mercy of Jesus that seeks to… [Read More]
Sunday Says – March 22, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Fifth Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 35 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) [powerpress] This is the fifth Sunday of Lent, the last Sunday before Holy Week. In many parishes, it is customary to veil crosses and images with purple cloth around the church in this time we call Passiontide. Reading 1 Jeremiah 31:31-34 This week’s… [Read More]
Sunday Says – March 15, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
March 15, 2015 Fourth Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 32 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) This is another week where there are 2 different readings depending on whether there are scrutinies happening at the mass you attend this weekend. Those readings come from year A, and we are currently in year B. The fourth Sunday of… [Read More]
Sunday Says – March 8, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday, March 8, 2015 Third Sunday of Lent – Year A Scrutinies Lectionary: 28 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) Reading 1 Exodus 17:3-7 There are two different parts of Exodus that could be read for this week’s first reading. You will either hear the familiar story of the Prophet Moses receiving the Ten Commandments from… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – March 1, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday, March 1, 2015 Second Sunday of Lent Lectionary: 26 Reading 1 Genesis 22:1-2, 9A, 10-13, 15-18 This first reading from Genesis is the pivotal moment when Abraham is put to the final test by the Lord. This is the Akedah, as the Jewish call it, the binding of Isaac where we see the ultimate… [Read More]
Where Culture and Scripture Meet (Review: The African American Catholic Youth Bible)
If I’m going to be honest as a reviewer, I have to say that I didn’t want to like this book. That’s a terrible thing. First of all, I generally prefer not to review books I don’t think I’ll like. I made an exception for Wild at Heart. It seemed like the natural follow-up to… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – February 8, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday, February 8, 2015 Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 74 (NAB Translation)(Jerusalem Bible Translation) [powerpress] Reading 1 Job 7:1-4, 6-7 This first reading from the Prophet Job is very characteristic of this classic prophet. You can clearly hear a tone of suffering in the excerpt from a conversation between Job and his friends. This… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – January 25, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] Sunday January 25, 2015 Lectionary: 68 Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for January 25, 2015, the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time. We’re glad that you have joined us as we break open the Word of God in preparation for Mass. This week we continue the theme… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – January 18, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday, January 18. 2015 Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Lectionary: 65 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Translation) [powerpress] We’re back in Ordinary time after several weeks of preparation and celebration. This week there is a clear and obvious message that we get from the readings – hearing the call from God. Reading 1 1 Samuel 3:3B-10, 19… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – January 11, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
The Baptism of the Lord Sunday January 11, 2015 Lectionary: 21 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) [powerpress] We celebrate the official end to the great season of Christmas with this week’s Solemnity. Reading 1 Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 The first reading from the prophet Isaiah returns to a period where we placed a lot of our… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – January 04, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] Sunday Says Podcast – January 04, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections Sunday January 04, 2015 Lectionary: 20 Feast of the Epiphany (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for January 4, 2015, the Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord. Thank you for joining us as we familiarize ourselves with the Liturgy of… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – December 21, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] Sunday December 21, 2014 Lectionary: 11 Fourth Sunday of Advent (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for December 21, 2014, the Fourth Sunday of Advent. Thank you for joining us as we begin preparing our hearts and minds for Mass by previewing and reflecting on the readings. The selected readings this week place… [Read More]
Sunday Says – December 14, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday December 14, 2014 Third Sunday of Advent Lectionary: 8 (NAB Readings)(Jerusalem Bible Translation) The Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, is unique among the four weeks. On the Advent wreath, this is the one week that is pink instead of purple. You might also see the liturgical vestments change color to rose, but most… [Read More]
Sunday Says – December 7, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday December 7, 2014 Second Sunday of Advent Lectionary: 5 Reading 1 Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11 This week’s first reading from the Prophet Isaiah takes place in an high point for the Hebrews. At this time, this was a whole generation that had never lived in Jerusalem, and they were on a return journey to… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – November 23, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday November 23, 2014 The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe [powerpress] Reflection starts at 6:30 minute mark. Lectionary: 160 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) This week is a special solemnity in the Church. This is the last Sunday in the Liturgical calendar, where we cap it off in… [Read More]
Sunday Says – November 9, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday November 9, 2014 Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica in Rome Lectionary: 671 (NAB Translation) This is another Sunday with a unique feast. Instead of the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, we are celebrating the feast of dedication of the world’s Cathedral – The Basilica of St John Lateran, seat of… [Read More]
Sunday Says – November 2, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection
The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls) Lectionary: 668 (NAB Translation) This Sunday we celebrate the commemoration of All Souls insteadof All Souls Day.Today is one of those celebrations that is very distinctly Catholic, and you will see that from the theme of praying for those that have died and also in the… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – October 26, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] Sunday Says Podcast – October 26, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections Sunday October 26, 2014 Lectionary: 148 Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for October 26, 2014, the Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Thank you for joining us as we begin preparing our hearts and… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – October 19, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday Says October 19, 2014 Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A Lectionary: 145 (NAB Translation) (Jerusalem Bible Translation) Reading 1 Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 This week’s first reading from the prophet Isaiah starts out with an unexpected note calling the pagan king God’s instrument. During the Babylonian, he planned to free the captives and… [Read More]
