Dec 31, 2012
Isaiah 60:1-6 |
Psalm 72:-12,7-8, 10-13 | Ephesians 3:2-3,5-6
| Matthew 2:1-12
An "epiphany" is an appearance. In today's readings, with their
rising stars, splendorous lights and mysteries revealed, the face
of the child born on Christmas day appears.
Herod, in today's Gospel, asks the chief priests...
Dec 21, 2012
Sirach 3:2-6,12-14 | Psalm 128:1-5 | Colossians
3:12-21 | Luke 2:41-52
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 Church (see
Dec 17, 2012
Micah 5:1-4 | Psalm 80:2-3,15-16,18-19 |
Hebrews 5:5-10 | Luke
1:39-45
On this last Sunday before Christmas, the Church's Liturgy reveals
the true identity of our Redeemer:
He is, as today's First Reading says, the "ruler...whose origin is
from...ancient times." He will come from Bethlehem,
where...
Dec 10, 2012
Zephaniah 3:14-18 Isaiah 12:2-6
Philippians 4:4-7 Luke
3:10-18
The people in today's Gospel are "filled with expectation." They
believe John the Baptist might be the Messiah they've been waiting
for. Three times we hear their question: "What then should we
do?"
The Messiah's coming requires every...
Dec 3, 2012
Baruch 5:1-9 Psalm 126:1-6 Philippians
1:4-6,8-11 Luke 3:1-6
Today's Psalm paints a dream-like scene - a road filled with
liberated captives heading home to Zion (Jerusalem), mouths filled
with laughter, tongues rejoicing.
It's a glorious picture from Israel's past, a "new exodus," the
deliverance...