Dec 30, 2013
Readings:
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 and scribes...
Dec 16, 2013
Isaiah 7:10-14
Psalm 24:1-6
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-24
The mystery kept secret for long ages, promised through His
prophets in the holy Scriptures, is today revealed (see Romans 16:25-26).
This is the "Gospel of God" that Paul celebrates in today's Epistle
- the good news that "God is with us" in...
Dec 9, 2013
Isaiah 35:1-6,10
Psalm 146:6-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11
John questions Jesus from prison in today's Gospel - for his
disciples' sake and for ours.
He knows that Jesus is doing "the works of the Messiah," foretold
in today's First Reading and Psalm. But John wants his disciples -
and us - to know...
Dec 2, 2013
Isaiah 11:1-10
Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17
Romans 15:4-9
Matthew 3:1-12
"The kingdom of heaven is at hand," John proclaims. And the Liturgy
today paints us a vivid portrait of our new king and the shape of
the kingdom He has come to bring.
The Lord whom John prepares the way for in today's Gospel
is...
Nov 25, 2013
Isaiah 2:1-5
Psalm 122:1-9
Romans 13:11-14
Matthew 24:37-44 (see also "The
Gospel of Fulfillment")
Jesus exaggerates in today's Gospel when He claims not to know the
day or the hour when He will come again.
He occasionally makes such overstatements to drive home a point we
might otherwise miss (see