Jan 6, 2024
Readings:
Isaiah 60:1–6
Psalm 72:1–2, 7–8, 10–13
Ephesians 3:2–3, 5–6
Matthew 2:1–12
Today the child born on Christmas is revealed to be the long-awaited king of the Jews.
As the priests and scribes interpret the prophecies in today’s Gospel, He is the ruler expected from the line of King David,...
Dec 30, 2023
Readings:
Sirach 3:2–6, 12–14
Psalm 128:1–2, 3, 4–5
Colossians 3:12–21
Luke 2:22–40
Why did Jesus choose to become a baby born of a mother and father and to spend all but His last years living in an ordinary human family? In part, to reveal God’s plan to make all people live as one “holy family” in His...
Dec 23, 2023
Readings
2 Samuel 7:1–5, 8–11, 16
Psalm 89:2–5, 27, 29
Romans 16:25–27
Luke 1:26–38
What is announced to Mary in today’s Gospel is the revelation of all that the prophets had spoken. It is, as Paul declares in today’s Epistle, the mystery kept secret since before the foundation of the world (see Ephesians...
Dec 16, 2023
Readings
Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11
Luke 1:46-50, 53-54
1 Thessalonians 5:16-24
John 1:6-8, 19-28
The mysterious figure of John the Baptist, introduced in last week's readings, comes into sharper focus today. Who he is, we see in today's Gospel, is best understood by who he isn't.
He is not Elijah returned from the heavens...
Dec 9, 2023
Readings:
Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11
Psalm 85:9–14
2 Peter 3:8–14
Mark 1:1–8
Our God is coming. The time of exile— the long separation of humankind from God due to sin—is about to end. This is the good news proclaimed in today’s liturgy.
Isaiah in today’s First Reading promises Israel’s future release and...