Today’s reading from the epilogue of Paul’s letter to the Romans presents the attitude to be adopted when ministering as a disciple of Christ. Paul professes…the priestly service of the gospel of God…because of the grace given to him by God. He explains…“In Christ Jesus then, I have reason to boast in what pertains to […]

Memorial – Pope Saint John XXIII Today we honor Saint Pope John XXIII on his feast day. Fifty-seven years ago this month saw the opening session of the second Vatican Council which he had convened in 1959. Known as “the good Pope”, his motto, Obedience and Peace, his inner strength, congenial personality, and his personal […]

Memorial of Saint John Chrysostom Today we honor Saint John Chrysostom (347-407), Doctor of the Church. John, a Hebrew name for Yahweh is gracious and Chrysostom, meaning golden mouthed might well describe the reputation he earned as one of Christianity’s most outstanding pastors, preachers, and teachers of the faith. A consistent theme of his preaching […]

Mathew’s account of the parable of the wise and foolish virgins is used by Jesus to teach his disciples what is needed to gain access to the kingdom of heaven, to the banquet of the bridegroom. (Mt 25:1-13) The gospel alleluia verse for today’s liturgy sums up the message: “Be vigilant at all times and […]

Memorial – Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross  “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Mt. 16:24-25). These words from Mathew’s Gospel exemplify the life of […]

Jesus said to his apostles Behold I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves. But beware of men for they will hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues… This scripture passage relates the advice given to the disciples as […]

We hold this treasure in earthen vessels that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained,…always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body, for we who live, are […]

Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary This is the feast of the Visitation, which for the cousins Mary and Elizabeth, was no ordinary event. The conception of their offspring was announced by the angel Gabriel and was unexpected. Elizabeth was to bear in her old age a son John, and Mary, a young virgin, consented […]

In today’s gospel (Jn 6:52-59) Jesus is teaching the Jews in the synagogue at Capernaum …unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. And …my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my […]

Today’s gospel (Jn 10:31-42) is set amid growing unrest among the Jewish people about the miracles (signs) of Jesus and his revelation that he is “the Son of God.” “The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. . . . We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy.” Jesus responds: “Can […]