Memorial of Pope Saint John XXIII The gospel today begins with a demand by the people for a sign. Jesus responds: …no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah (Luke 11:29). Something greater than Jonah is predicted. The sign of Jonah’s three days in the belly of the whale prefigured the three […]

Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom Today the Gospel of Luke relates the story of the Roman centurion who sends Jewish elders as mediators to Jesus to request healing for his favored slave who is about to die. Boldly, but humbly, the centurion, a God-fearing Gentile, sends the request …Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I […]

The gospel for today’s liturgy speaks of failed expectations. It describes Jesus’ visit to his hometown of Nazareth, where he reads in the synagogue from the scroll of Isaiah: The spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim […]

Memorial of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross Today’s liturgy presents us with an opportunity to ponder the continuity that exists between the spiritual pathway to holiness as spoken by Moses to the Israelites, and the search for truth by Saint Edith Stein that led her from her Jewish roots to life as a Carmelite […]

In today’s gospel, Jesus reminds the disciples, and us, that suffering is the price of discipleship. Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword (Matthew 10:6-34). The sword Jesus speaks of cuts, pierces, and even martyrs. It cuts as a […]

Today’s gospel relates the first in a series of teachings by Jesus, referred to as “counsels for perfection.” These contrast the practice of moral behavior according to the law of Moses with the practice of love for neighbor emphasized by Jesus. The intent of the law given to Moses was to moderate retaliation — that […]

The Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary The gospel for today’s liturgy resounds with echoes of our familiar everyday prayers. The words hold the story of a young Jewish girl’s visit to her cousin, Elizabeth … two pregnant women encountering each other… coming to the awareness that they carried fulfillment of the covenant God made […]

The gospel reading for today’s liturgy (John 15:26-16:4a) finds Jesus preparing the disciples for his return to his Father, his leaving as one of us “in the flesh” with humanity. The passage is introduced with the statement …the Spirit of truth will testify to me, and you also will testify. Jesus states that he will […]

Today we hear John’s Gospel account of the encounter between Nicodemus, a “Pharisee, and ruler of Jews,” who came at night seeking Jesus. From the darkness, Nicodemus professes his belief that Jesus is a teacher and that God is with him. Jesus responds to his query about being “born again.” “Amen, amen, I say to […]

Monday of Holy Week “…Six days before Passover Jesus came to Bethany where Lazarus was, whom Jesus had raised from the dead… his friends gave a dinner for Jesus there…and he reclined at table with them” (John 12:1-2a) Those closest to Jesus were aware that there were threats to his life. Jesus himself knew these […]