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]
Is it possible entitlement & individualism go hand in hand? (On the parable of the attitude of a servant)
Last Tuesday I was at St William’s in Round Rock for daily mass, and Fr Dean’s homily got me thinking. That day the gospel was from Luke, on the servant who comes in from the field: “Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the… [Read More]
Let the Children Come to Me
[This is a guest post by Norine Shaivitz.] “[Jesus] called a child over, placed it in their midst, and said, ‘Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:2-3 I wonder if the child Jesus chose was perfectly quiet and still, after… [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 – October 25, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
October 25, 2015 Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 149 (Jerusalem Bible Translation)(NAB Translation) [powerpress] Reading 1 Jeremiah 31:7-9 This week’s first reading from the prophet Jeremiah is a unique visual in the Old Testament. We hear of a mixing of the lame and blind with the normal people. At this time, all those that… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – October 18, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 146 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Isaiah 53:10-11 In this week’s first reading from the book of Prophet Isaiah, we hear from a passage commonly referred to as the fourth Song of the Servant. This passage is a poetic prophecy of how God’s servant will endure pain and humiliation… [Read More]
Get to Work: Reflections on Turning 30
Jesus was about thirty years old when he began his work. – Luke 3:23 I spent the eve of my 30th birthday sitting in the car eating Oreos, and wearing old workout clothes, pigtails and Converse. Had I not included “30th birthday” in that sentence, I could have been describing a 7 year old. I… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – September 27, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] 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… [Read More]
Sunday Says – September 13, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday September 13, 2015 Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 131 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Isaiah 50:5-9A This week’s first reading from the Prophet Isaiah is part of the songs of the suffering servant. In context of the time this was written, this section probably didn’t make much sense to the average Jew. It’s hard… [Read More]
Stretch of the Heart: Why You Need Hope
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 – August 30, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 125 Reading 1 Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 In the first reading from Deuteronomy, we hear a distinct joy and pride that the Lord has chosen the Hebrews to receive the word of God in His law. He expresses the centrality of obedience to the law to their identity as the… [Read More]
Asking Back: Asking Jesus His Own Question
We are sitting in a bar on a hot summer day. I stare at my dejected feet on the bar stool, then out the door at the hot day, the burning sidewalk, the occasional overheated human being passing by. I don’t want to look at him, though I am relieved by his presence. I glance… [Read More]
Sunday Says – August 23, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
August 23, 2015 Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 122 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Joshua 24:1-2A, 15-17, 18B This week’s first reading from the Prophet Joshua is an idealized telling of the story of the people choosing to follow the Lord. In all likelihood, it wasn’t as organized as it sounds in this reading, but… [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 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 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 – 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 – June 21, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 95 (NAB Translation)(Jerusalem Bible Translation) [powerpress] Reading 1 Job 38:1, 8-11 This week’s first reading from the prophet Job is a dramatic reminder of our place as creatures. We are all created beings, products and children of the creator that willed us into existence. Like Job, we feel the… [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]
Homily on the Ascension of Our Lord
[powerpress] This homily was given by Deacon Guadalupe at St Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX on the Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord in the season of Easter. “When they had gathered together they asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” He answered them, “It… [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]
Why Jesus Said, “I Thirst”
“I thirst” (Jn 19:28). Jesus said this on the Cross and before he gave up his spirit. This phrase reminds us of the pain and anguish he endured for our sake. It reminds us of the death of the just for the sake of the unjust. The language and wording associated with the redemption of… [Read More]
Divine Mercy Homily
The second Sunday of Easter is celebrated as Divine Mercy Sunday. This homily was given by Deacon Guadalupe at St Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin, TX in the Octave of Easter. [powerpress] Divine Mercy Image Prayers from the Chaplet of Divine Mercy Optional Opening Prayers You expired, Jesus, but the source of life gushed forth… [Read More]
5 Reasons to do Marian Consecration
In the fall of 2006, a friend introduced me to a book called True Devotion to Mary by St Louis de Montfort, and I can confidently say that there has never been a book that had a greater impact in my spiritual life. I was blessed to be raised a cradle Catholic, but it wasn’t… [Read More]
Luke Interviews Mary: the Annunciation
After the breaking of the Bread and the Prayers in the house of John the Apostle, when all the others had left, Mary sat me down, bringing me water and a plate of olives. She walked quickly through the house, putting things away, straightening mats, stirring a stew she was making for John and me… [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]
What Are You Ordering for Lent?
What are you ordering for Lent? The blue-plate Friday special with a big t-bone steak! Ha, just kidding! That’s not the kind of order I meant, but I couldn’t resist the silly pun. What are you ordering for Lent – in your life? In my last post I wrote about how changeful my Lenten season is… [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]
Sunday Says Podcast – February 15, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflections
[powerpress] 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… [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 – February 1, 2015 Mass Readings and Reflection
Sunday February 1, 2015 Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Lectionary: 71 (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Bible) Reading 1 Deuteronomy 18:15-20 This week’s first reading from the book of Deuteronomy is an introduction to the concept of the prophet as a singular voice from God. There was a fear that a direct encounter with God, even just… [Read More]
Oh Speciosam Altaris Sacramento: How Powerful and Loving
In my time of being in the seminary my love and awe of the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist has increased tremendously and I am convinced with full conviction that when I receive the Eucharist at Mass, I am receiving the fullness of Christ within me and I am being received into full communion with… [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]
Our Christian Vocation Is Like That of The Three Kings!
Every Christmas we ready ourselves for the birth of our Lord with lights, lights, and more lights. We string lights on Christmas trees, wreaths, and nativity sets; we outline windows, rooftops and walkways. We decorate our downtown trees and light poles with lights and some neighborhood yards are aglow with lighted reindeer, snowmen, and nativity… [Read More]
Dear Little Sister: A Christmas Letter
It’s a little late in the game to issue you an Advent challenge. Instead, as my gift to you this Christmas Eve, I’m turning over this blog space to a distinguished guest author: my eight-year-old daughter. First, some background information: In our household we’ve always tried to focus much more on Jesus than Santa during… [Read More]
Shopping with Jesus
“When Black Friday comes, I’m gonna dig myself a hole, I’m gonna lay down in it ‘till I satisfy my soul.” -Steely Dan The Advent Season is at the same time as the Shopping Season. I wish it wasn’t so. I wish, when December comes, that I could spend my Advent and Christmas as a… [Read More]
