The Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday January 15, 2016 Lectionary: 64 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Isaiah 49:3,5-6 This week’s first reading is from the forty-ninth chapter of the book of Isaiah. This chapter introduces us to the “Suffering Servant” whose vocation was to liberate the people of Israel and bring salvation to the whole… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – January 1, 2017 Mass Readings and Reflections
The Octave Day of Christmas Solemnity of Mary, Holy Mother of God Sunday January 1, 2016 Lectionary: 18 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Numbers 6:22-27 This week’s first reading is from the book of Numbers, the fourth book in the Old Testament and part of the Pentateuch. This particular passage gives us a blessing formula… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – December 18, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Fourth Sunday of Advent Sunday December 18, 2016 Lectionary: 10 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Isaiah 7:10-14 This week’s first reading from the book of Isaiah is a prophecy of the Messiah as the Immanuel- meaning “God is with us.” This prophecy was given by Isaiah to King Ahaz as a form of reassurance at a… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – November 6, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Thirty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday November 6, 2016 Lectionary: 156 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 2 Maccabees 7:1-2,9-14 This week’s first reading is from the book of 2 Maccabees. This book covers the period of time between the 180 -161 BC, which was during the “intertestamental” period, and provides a link between the Old and… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – October 9, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Twenty-Eighth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday October 9, 2016 Lectionary: 144 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 2 Kings 5:14-17 This week’s first reading is on from the book of the second book of Kings. This reading completes the story about Naaman, a successful army general from Syria, who had contracted leprosy. Although Naaman had been… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – September 25, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Twenty-Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday September 25, 2016 Lectionary: 138 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Amos 6:1,4-7 This week’s first reading is from the book of the prophet Amos. Amos was a shepherd from Tekoa (a village in the southern kingdom of Judah), but preached to the rich in the northern kingdom of Israel. He… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – August 28, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday August 28, 2016 Lectionary: 126 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Sirach 3:19-21,30-31 This week’s first reading comes from the great wisdom book of Sirach also known as Ecclesiasticus. The purpose of this passage is to emphasize how important humility is if we are to please God. By contrast, anyone who… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – July 31, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday July 31, 2016 Lectionary: 114 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Ecclesiastes 1:2,2:21-23 This week’s first reading from the book of Ecclesiastes is part of the great wisdom literature of the Old Testament. The tone of this book is unusual because it presents what appears to be a negative and depressing… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – July 17, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday July 17, 2016 Lectionary: 108 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Genesis 18:1-10 In this week’s first reading from the Old Testament, we see Abraham, the ancient patriarch and father of our faith, respond to God by the hospitality he shows to three of God’s messengers. In this mysterious passage, three… [Read More]
Sunday Says – July 10, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflection
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 105 Reading 1 Deuteronomy 30:10-14 This week’s first reading from the book of Deuteronomy is a quick recap of the heart of the law of Moses. Namely, God wants us to love Him without reserve. The Lord is often referred to as somehow being separate from us and in the… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – July 3, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday July 3, 2016 Lectionary: 102 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Isaiah 66:10-14c This week’s first reading is from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament near the end of the book. The people of Israel and Judah have suffered much since their time in exile in Babylon and now… [Read More]
Mango Ministry: Fruitful Lessons from a Family Tree
Everybody gets a mango! Today’s gospel reading from Matthew reminded me of the huge mango tree that was in my side yard when I was growing up in South Florida. Jesus said to his disciples: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but underneath are ravenous wolves. By their fruits you will… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – June 19, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday June 19, 2016 Lectionary: 96 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Zechariah 12:10-11,13:1 In this week’s first reading from the Old Testament the Prophet Zechariah addresses the people of Jerusalem who have suffered much while trying to rebuild their city after their return from exile in Babylon. Zechariah speaks of a… [Read More]
Sunday Says – June 5, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday June 5, 2016 Lectionary: 90 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 1 Kings 17:17-24 In this week’s first reading from the first book of Kings in the Old Testament, we see the Prophet Elijah demonstrate the power of God by raising someone from the dead. A poor widow in the pagan… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – April 24, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Fifth Sunday of Easter Sunday April 24, 2016 Lectionary: 54 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Acts 14:21-27 In this week’s first reading from the Acts of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas continue their first missionary journey where they experience both opposition and acceptance in their efforts to evangelize. Through preaching, prayer, and fasting they are… [Read More]
Sunday Says – April 17, 2016 Mass Readings and Refletion
Fourth Sunday of Easter Lectionary: 51 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 ACTS 13:14, 43-52 This week’s first reading from the book of Acts of the Apostles picks up in an exciting time for the Church. Paul and Barnabas bring almost an entire population of Gentiles to hear the Gospel, but it strikes anger and jealousy into… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – March 13, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Fifth Sunday in Lent Sunday March 13, 2016 Lectionary: 36 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Isaiah 43:16-21 This week’s first reading is from the book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. This passage from Isaiah is a message of hope directed to God’s people who are in exile in Babylon. It is a reminder that… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – February 28, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Third Sunday in Lent Sunday February 28, 2016 Lectionary: 30 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Exodus 3:1-8,13-15 This week’s first reading is from the book of Exodus in the Old Testament. This passage recounts Moses’ dramatic first encounter with God in the form of a burning bush in the desert. Moses, a descendant of Abraham, has… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – February 14, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
First Sunday in Lent Sunday February 14, 2016 Lectionary: 24 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Deuteronomy 26:4-10 This week’s first reading is from the book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament. Just before the death of Moses and before the Israelites enter the Promised land, Moses gives a repetition of the Law given at Mount Sinai… [Read More]
Sunday Says – Jan 24, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflection
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 69 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Nehemiah 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10 This week’s first reading from the prophet Nehemiah focuses on the celebration of the Lord’s day. At this time, the Hebrews has recently returned to Jerusalem from the many years in exile and were in the process of rebuilding. They had… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – December 20, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
Fourth Sunday in Advent Sunday December 20, 2015 Lectionary: 12 (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for December 20, 2015, the fourth Sunday of Advent. 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’s readings take us… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – December 6, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
Second Sunday in Advent Lectionary: 6 (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for December 6, 2015, the second Sunday of Advent. 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’s readings remind us that God has done… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – November 8, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 155 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 1 Kings 17:10-16 The first reading is from the First Book of Kings in the Old Testament. In our passage for today, we see a poor widow and her son during a time of famine in ancient Israel. The widow and her son… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – September 27, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday September 27, 2015 Lectionary: 137 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for September 27, 2015, the twenty-sixth 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’s… [Read More]
Spit, Mercy and the Human Spiritual Life
What is it about Jesus spitting, putting his fingers in the deaf man’s ear? It hits on something within us, pulls on something. Some inner notion of cleanliness, of boundaries, of unworthiness. It’s uncomfortable. Unusual. Certainly not how we would expect the God-man to act. Now – to bow at his feet, to stand at… [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
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 Jesus… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – August 2, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
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 we… [Read More]
Sunday Says – July 19, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 107 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Jeremiah 23:1-6 This week’s first reading from the prophet Jeremiah is a call out of leaders in the church. God has given us many different forms of leadership in the Church. Any form of shepherding requires a closeness with the Lord that helps to… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – June 28, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
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 to… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – June 14, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
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 to… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – May 10, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
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 Liturgy… [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 12, 2015 – Mass Readings and Reflection
Second Sunday of Easter Sunday of Divine Mercy 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 forgive… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – February 15, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday February 15, 2015 Lectionary: 77 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for February 15, 2015, the sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Thank you for joining us as we break open the Word of God for this Sunday’s Mass so that we can prepare our hearts… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – January 25, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
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 of… [Read More]
Martha on the Wall
Some of us are Marthas, and some of us are Marys. For me, the writing — or at least the picture — was on the wall. I had never given too much thought into Luke’s story about Martha welcoming Jesus and associates into her home, getting right to work serving them and eventually learning to… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – January 04, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
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 the… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – December 21, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
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 us… [Read More]
A Bobly Day of Skin Religion
He was feeling more emotional than usual because of a new seizure medication we were trying, and a steroid he had to take for brain swelling. We decided a brisk night walk would do both of us good, so he put on his big poncho, I put on my coat, and we headed out. In… [Read More]
