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]
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 – 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]
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 23, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Thirtieth Sunday of Ordinary Time Sunday October 23, 2016 Lectionary: 150 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 This week’s first reading is on from the book of the Book of Sirach (also known as Ecclesiasticus), part of the great wisdom literature in the Old Testament. This book was written approximately 180 years before Christ… [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 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]
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 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 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 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 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 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 Podcast – January 31, 2016 Mass Readings and Reflections
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sunday January 31, 2016 Lectionary: 72 (NAB Translation) Reading 1 Jeremiah 1:4-5,17-19 This week’s first reading from the prophet Jeremiah explores the prophet’s divine call. All prophets are called by God to fulfill His will and to speak by God’s authority. All prophets are given a mission by God and… [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 – 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]
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]
The Heart
This past weekend the wisdom of the Church invited us to experience a beautiful truth – the unity of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. The Church led us into this discovery of this union by celebrating the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart on Friday that leads us into the Memorial of… [Read More]
Learning to Follow (A Reflection on “The Three Parts of Dance & the Trinity”)
I’m learning to dance. I’ve always loved to dance, even since I was the little girl in shiny gold shoes tearing it up at my uncle’s wedding. True story. I did tap and ballet for about a year when I was four. Since then, it’s been all about freestyle. I have rhythm, which helps a… [Read More]
From an ancient homily for Holy Saturday: The Lord’s descent into the underworld
Our Catholic faith is incredibly rich. So instead of writing a new reflection, I’m sharing one of my favorite things to read during the Triduum. This is a from an ancient homily for Holy Saturday, date and homilist unknown. It is the Second Reading in the Office of Readings for Holy Saturday Liturgy of the Hours…. [Read More]
Clothes On, Heart Full (Review: The Thrill of the Chaste, Catholic Edition)
In my happy journey through every book on chastity known to Christian man, I made a stop at The Thrill of the Chaste back in 2012. The book had been out for years; I tend to be a later adopter. My favorite aspects of that edition were Eden’s utterly realistic experience and her comments about… [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 – October 26, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
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 minds… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – September 21, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday September 21, 2014 Lectionary: 133 Twenty-fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for September 21, 2014, the Twenty-fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time. 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… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – September 7, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday Says Podcast – September 7, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections Sunday September 07, 2014 Lectionary: 121 Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for September 7, 2014, the Twenty-third Sunday of Ordinary Time. Thank you for joining us as we begin preparing our hearts and minds for Mass… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – August 24, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday August 24, 2014 Lectionary: 121 Twenty-first Sunday of Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for August 24, 2014, the Twenty-First Sunday of Ordinary Time. Thank you for joining us as we begin preparing our hearts and minds for Mass by diving deeper into the Word of God. The… [Read More]
Sunday Says – August 3, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday August 03, 2014 Lectionary: 112 Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for August 3, 2014, the Eighteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time. Thank you for joining us as we begin preparing our hearts and minds for Mass by diving deeper into the Word of God…. [Read More]
Sunday Says – July 6, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday Says Podcast – July 6, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections Sunday July 6, 2014 Lectionary: 100 Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (NAB Translation) We open up the Scriptures to hear God speak through Old Testament prophecies, in the Psalms of King David, the letters of St. Paul, and in the words of Jesus as… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – June 22, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi Sunday) Sunday June 22, 2014 Lectionary: 167 (NAB Readings) (Jerusalem Bible) Reading 1 Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14B-16A This week’s first reading from Deuteronomy takes us back to the story of Moses, but it’s much after the time of the Exodus from Egypt. At this… [Read More]
Sunday Says Podcast – June 15, 2014 Mass Readings and Reflections
Sunday June 15, 2014 Lectionary: 164 Solemnity of the most Holy Trinity (NAB Translation) Welcome to the Sunday Says podcast for June 15, 2014, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity. Thank you for joining us for a just a few minutes as we explore Sacred Scripture and reflect in depth on the mystery of… [Read More]
Lying, Confession, and St. Andrew
Lying Have you ever lied to someone? Did you mean to? Did you feel bad afterwards? What about during prayer? A friend and I recently shared a conversation about lying. In our own way, we each had entered into a state of sin; we fell short of our call to holiness and virtue. We shared… [Read More]
The Theology of Womanhood, Eternal
The Glass Ceiling Last Sunday I attended mass at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Downtown Houston. I was in town for a wedding, and the 11am mass at the Co-Cathedral just happened to work for my day. It turns out that day they were having a beautiful special ceremony to honor the city’s… [Read More]
The Soul’s Movement at the Moment of Communion
Consider this article as a monologue or an interior thought, as if someone was thinking out loud and searching for an answer within themselves. At some points, I address the soul as “her,” instead of “it.” I do this partly because St. John of the Cross uses that kind of language in his writings. It… [Read More]
Parenthood, Faith, and Mystery
In reality, it is only in the mystery of the Word made flesh that the mystery of man truly becomes clear … Christ the Lord, Christ the new Adam, in the very revelation of the mystery of the Father and of His love, fully reveals man to himself…He, who is the “image of the… [Read More]
Prayer and Self Confidence: An Interior Reflection
What does it mean to be humble? What kind of self-denial (Lk 9:23) does that entail? Is the desire for humility contrary to that of self-confidence? Is one good and the other beautiful? I’d like these thoughts to continue in the Comment section. Does prayer nurture my humility? It would seem so – that the… [Read More]
The Theology of Sound Part II: The Key to Beauty
For Part I, click here. In Part I, we talked briefly about how we are part of creation, yet we are set apart from it, and that there is something, some quality about us that the all rest of the universe does not possess. As it turns out, there are many different ways to talk about… [Read More]
