It is a day to celebrate, to be with loved ones, and to pray for our nation. Let it also be a day to reflect on who we are, and who are called to be! What is our mission as Catholics in the US? And what does it mean to talk about our mission as… [Read More]
We Went Away Sad
“Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, ‘You are lacking in one thing. Go, and sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then, come, follow me.’ At that statement, his face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions (Mark… [Read More]
Sin? Not a problem.
Sin? No problem. This Sunday we heard the Gospel reading on the Fall, of the moment sin entered creation and divided all that was meant to be united. Since then the human person has been faced with the conditions of inner division and brokenness as a personal reality and as a reality in creation. Yet,… [Read More]
The Unofficial Start to Summer: Now What?
They say Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer. Alongside being a day where we remember those who’ve given their lives for our country, and a day where families and friends gather to celebrate at the lake, at the parks, etc, it’s also a day that signals the end of the school year and… [Read More]
The Presentation of the Lord; a story
I woke up early, long before my usual time. I could feel morning coming on as Yeshi slept deeply; still and warm between Joseph and me. He was on my arm, making it numb, but I didn’t mind. I enjoyed these moments of silence and warmth listening to Joseph’s and the baby’s breathing. I moved… [Read More]
Who Would Choose This?
I lay in bed, but the room continued to spin. I shut my eyes and stayed as still as I could. I was a prisoner of my illness, unable to leave the bed, the room or the house unless someone else came to help me. I thought of Jesus, laying in a ciborium, locked in… [Read More]
The 7 Contemplative Gazes
Peter constantly gazed at Our Lord but like most of us listened poorly. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains how “gazing” at Jesus is a form of contemplation by stating, “Contemplation is a gaze of faith fixed on Jesus.” (2715) Contemplation is the highest form of worship, and it is none other than two… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – January 15, 2017 Mass Readings and Reflections
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]
Most Holy Name of Jesus
It is said that one night, St. Teresa of Avila met the Child Jesus on the stairs of her convent. The little One asked her name. She said, “I am Teresa of Jesus.” He said, “Then I am Jesus of Teresa.” What would Jesus say to you? Is your name attached to His? Of course… [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]
Lessons from the Crib
Many saints have experienced the love and wisdom that comes from the Blessed Virgin Mary with the Baby Jesus, but none more than St. Faustina who had many, many visits from the Divine Infant. One Christmas season the Blessed Mother brought the Baby Jesus to St. Faustina and said, “strive after silence and humility,”… [Read More]
Of Mary, Never Enough
“De Maria, nunquam satis!,” St Bernard of Clairvaux once said. Of Mary, never enough! In these last few days before the great feast of Christmas, perhaps you’re feeling harried or haven’t had time to prayerfully prepare, or just aren’t quite into the Christmas. Or perhaps you’re drowning in carols all day, but not feeling very contemplative or… [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]
Would You Walk Away?
The woman serving as extraordinary minister reached into the ciborium and grabbed a host. At that moment, something white seemed to fly out. We both saw it. It flew off, falling to my left, her right. We looked at each other. “Body of Christ,” she said. “Amen,” I said, and I received on my tongue… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – December 4, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Second Sunday of Advent Sunday December 4, 2016 Lectionary: 4 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Isaiah 11:1-10 This week’s first reading from the book of Isaiah is a prophecy of the Messiah as the One who will descend as a branch from the root of Jesse in the lineage of King David. The Christ (Messiah) will… [Read More]
Jesus, King of Mercy: a reflection as the Year of Mercy Ends
At this writing, I am in Corpus Christi for one of my favorite feasts of the Church year, Christ the King, and also for my birthday weekend, since I was born here. It was growing dark, raining and then storming when I got into town. The bay was black, the water choppy; growing more restless… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – November 20, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Sunday November 20, 2016 Lectionary: 162 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 2 Samuel 5:1-3 This week’s first reading from the 2nd Book of Samuel gives us insight into kingship of Christ as the One who unifies the people of God. Following a civil war within… [Read More]
Okay Jesus, are you a Democrat or a Republican?
I have spent a lot of time in my life following politics. I was a rare 12-year old when I started reading newspapers, watching TV newscasts and listening to radio news. After getting a degree in broadcast journalism, I became a news reporter. And working at a radio station in Austin, Texas the late 1990s… [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]
Be Like Jesus: Ask for Help
School is very helpful. Kids learn stuff. They make friends. And their moms are suddenly free to do things without them. I was dreading the end of school last spring and eager for the start of school this fall because I was going to have a lot of meetings that I couldn’t bring the kids… [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 – August 14, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Twentieth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday August 14, 2016 Lectionary: 120 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Jeremiah 38:4-6,8-10 This week’s first reading from the book of prophet Jeremiah recounts for us the challenges we may be faced with when conveying God’s truth when the message is unpopular. In this passage Jeremiah is accused of demoralizing… [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]
What Kind of Sower Are You?
[This is a guest post from Norine Shaivitz.] It seems like a waste of seed to throw it on a walking path that’s frequented by birds. I bet a real farmer wouldn’t throw seeds where the ground is rocky or full of weeds either. That was the thought that ran through our minds as my… [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]
Are You At Peace?
Are you at peace in the sight of Christ? Am I at peace in the sight of Christ? I remember one time; we had adoration as part of our parish mission. At one point the deacon walked all around the church with the Blessed Sacrament. As Jesus approached me I was filled with an incredible… [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]
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]
Forming Teens Into Evangelical Catholics
Youth ministry is a unique challenge for the Church, and by challenge, I mean opportunity. A decade ago, I started to dabble in youth ministry, but I have spent the last 7 years working with great people in the Church to develop a program that can form young Evangelical Catholics. An understandably lofty goal, but one… [Read More]
My Testimony of Reversion
The world today has forgotten so much about the mercy and passion and power of our true Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland in a small town called Damascus. I was 6 years old when I was first in Damascus, and our governor at the time, Governor Martin O’Malley,… [Read More]
St. Joseph: The 2nd Greatest Saint
St. Joseph is a well-known Saint in the Catholic Church mainly because he is the Foster Father of the Jesus, Redeemer of the world, and spouse of the co-redeemer, Mary. He never has any spoken words in Sacred Scripture, but he does have noble actions. Let us explore through Sacred Scripture, Church Tradition, and credible… [Read More]
Your Flight to Emmaus Is Now Boarding
It’s a long road to Emmaus. I walk it each and every day. Like the two disciples in today’s Gospel reading, I would love to run into Jesus during my travels. But I fear that as Celopas and his friend did, I won’t recognize Jesus. I was thinking about the story of the Road to… [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]
Love Lessons: a Valentine’s Quiz
It’s the season of love, so let’s take an early Valentine’s Day quiz. But it’s not like those silly social media quizzes. Even though the stores are stocked with flowers, candy, hearts, greeting cards, Cupid and more, this quiz will dig a little deeper. Question number one: Read this passage slowly. Does it sound… [Read More]
A Commentary on Romans: Introduction
This is the introduction to a five-part commentary on the Letter of Saint Paul to the Romans. I hope that the reader is inspired to pray with the passages from this letter. My intention is not to explain everything. Rather, I hope to point to and give light to different verses that have affected my… [Read More]
When Christmas Brings Out Your Inner Grinch
I went to a major retailer to pick up a couple last minute gifts, when I noticed that a big sign on their front door. It read, “OPEN 24 HOURS UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE!” Ugh. I hated that sign – to me it represents everything that’s wrong about commercialized holidays. Yes, gift giving can be a… [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]
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- Next Page »
