Don't Be Afraid

Divine Mercy Sunday 

This Sunday, the second reading will be from Revelation 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19. The linked text includes the intervening verses. Be sure to read the other readings for added context.

Last Easter season, in the second reading, we read through a series on love (which I didn’t see for what it was until we were almost done). This year the second reading offers a similar catechetical series. This year we address what is heaven like.

The first thing we need to know about the kingdom to come is that it is nothing to be afraid of.

Christ Joyfully to the Nations

The Feast of the Epiphany

This Sunday, the second reading will be from Ephesians 3: 2-3a, 5-6. The link includes the intervening verses. Be sure to read the other readings for context.

I suspect that the vast, vast majority of the current Christian population is gentile in its origins.

Early in the Church’s history, it experienced growth at an incredible rate - on the order of thousands of people being baptized in a single day. I don’t think any of us are likely to witness conversion on such a drastic scale in our lifetimes.

Mercy in the Christian Family

Feast of the Holy Family

The Feast of the Holy Family is one of the feast days for which we use the same readings every year. This year, I will look at Colossians 3:12-17.

Last year, I looked at the expanded version of these verses, which make a little more clear that Paul is not just outlining for us how Christians are supposed to act toward each other, that it is most particularly important (and most particularly difficult at times) within the contexts of our own families.

Rejoice IN THE LORD

3rd Sunday of Advent

This Sunday, the second reading will be from Philippians 4:4-7. Be sure to read the other readings for added context.

I wrote last week on how Advent is a time of preparation, and the ways in which we are called to live as though constantly in a state of watchful preparation for the return of our savior and king.

There are many different types of preparation. In Advent, we practice both penitential preparation and joyful preparation. This week, we light the pink candle on our Advent wreaths, the candle which traditionally represents Joy. It is easy in a season that is both preparation and penitential to lose sight of the joy with which we prepare for Christ’s return.

Advent All Year

2nd Sunday of Advent

This Sunday, the second reading will be from Philippians 1:4-6,8-11. Also review the other readings, for greater context.

This second Sunday of Advent, we light the candle of preparation. In Advent, not only do we prepare for Christmas, but also for the Second Coming.

Much like the Jews of the Old Testament, we engage in this preparation with great joy, and with a measure of seriousness.

Preparing for His Return

1st Sunday of Advent

This Sunday, the second reading will be from 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2. But I strongly suggest reading the other readings as well.

Like many of the readings for Advent will, the first reading looks forward to the birth of the messiah, and the gospel looks forward to his return.

We know beyond any shadow of doubt that Jesus is coming back. We know this because he told us that he was coming back, and his word is trustworthy.

In light of this, what should we do to prepare our hearts?

Living Differently for Our King

The Feast of Christ the King

This Sunday, the second reading will be from Revelation 1:5-8. Be sure to read the other readings, for broader context.

Jesus says in the Gospel reading for this Sunday that his kingdom does not belong to this world, and it is (in part) because of this that we talk about the Church and its members in the way that we do.

Living in a Type

33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

This Sunday, the second reading will be from Hebrews 10:11-14,18. Read the other readings for this week, for a more full context.

When I was still pretty young (I don’t remember how young), I asked my parents what heaven was like. I know this question was on my mind for a good long while, because I know I got several different answers.

Give It Back to God

32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

This Sunday, the second reading will be from Hebrews 9:24-28, but read the other readings for context.

Does it seem unfair to you that somebody else took the punishment for our sins?

Yeah, me neither. And yet, that’s the way it was under the old and the way it is under the new.

Called to Sainthood

Feast of All Saints

This Sunday, the second reading will be from 1 John 3:1-3. I’d also strongly recommend that you read the other readings for today. It’s Lectionary #667, if you’re reading from a hard copy.

We are the children of God - not just figuratively, but literally - because the Father has loved us. Note that the second reading says both that we are called the children of God and that we are the children of God.

Priests: Real People --- Real People: Priests

30th Sunday of Ordinary Time

This Sunday, the second reading will be from Hebrews 5:1-6, but definitely read the other readings for context.

Newsflash, guys: Did you know that priests are real people? People that eat pizza, and like football, and even have families with weirdo kid brothers and evil sisters.

The Kind of King We Have

29th Sunday of Ordinary Time

This Sunday, the second reading will be from Hebrews 4:14-16. Make sure you read the other readings for context.

If you do it right, I’m pretty sure it’s no fun being King. People need things from you, they rely on you, they ask for your help with things because they can't do it themselves.

When you are called upon to take up a leadership role, how do you respond?

Jesus himself said, “If it is possible let this cup pass from me," and there are anecdotes about each of the last two popes indicating that at the time that their election seemed certain, each of them begged God to choose someone else.

Obedience Out of Fear

28th Sunday of Ordinary Time

This Sunday, the second reading will be from Hebrews 4:12-13. I suggest reading from the beginning of the chapter, for context, and then read the other readings.

The writer to the Hebrews writes in this chapter on the Sabbath rest, though you wouldn’t know it by the brief excerpt we read today. Nowadays, Sundays are starting to look so much like every other day of the week that resting on Sundays is a hard thing for Christians to talk about seriously and really enter into.

Between the Old and New Covenants

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time

This Sunday, the second reading will be from Hebrews 2:9-11. I would suggest beginning at verse 5 - that's where the link goes. Be sure to read the other readings for context - this reflection will not make sense without them!

On description, Daniel indicated that he thought this was a “how it happened to speak to me” type of reflection. Read with that in mind!

Hebrews Is On Deck

It hasn't been all that long since I realized that the "ordered-ness" or ordinary time extends to the second readings as well. For the last five weeks, we've been reading through the letter of James. The next letter on deck is Hebrews.

For those of you who were glad to finish James because it's hard to hear, don't expect Hebrews to be any easier. Hebrews is more theological (I can say this because I just finished reading it in one sitting), but it is no less difficult! We go from hard to hear to hard to understand!

I'd suggest - if you can - that you take some time and read it all - we only read excerpts in mass, and getting the context is good. We spend the next seven weeks in Hebrews, and that takes us through the end of the liturgical year. (We get interrupted by All Saint's Day, which falls on a Sunday this year!)

To What Extent are We "Unjustly Rich"?

26th Sunday of Ordinary Time

This Sunday, the second reading will be from James 5:1-6.

These are hard words to hear, if you’re the sort of person who has the resources to read this blog, right? In fact, internationally speaking, if you have internet access, you are in the top 3-5%. So you and me - we’re unquestionably “rich”.

Sometimes the Villain Gets One Right

25th Sunday of Ordinary Time

This Sunday, the second reading will be from James 3:16-4:3. I suggest reading the other readings as well, for context. It’s lectionary # 134, if you’re reading from a hard copy.

There is a Native American Fable - or maybe an adage - about a boy who talks to his grandfather about two dogs fighting inside of him. One is a good dog, who represents virtues, and the other is an evil dog, who represents vices. The boy asks his grandfather which dog will win, to which the old man replied, “the one you feed.”

The Trouble with Works

24th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Original image from Pixabay.

This Sunday, the second reading will be from James 2:14-18 (the link goes to a bit more). I’d strongly encourage you to read the other readings as well. It’s lectionary #131, if you’re reading from a hard copy.

I don’t think there is another issue that is as contentious between Catholics and most Protestants as that of the role of works in salvation.

On the one hand, Protestants have one strong point in their favor. We cannot earn our Salvation. Not by doing good works, not by study, not by any means. And any Catholic who is worth their salt will tell you the same thing.

If We Do Show Partiality

23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time

Original Image from Pixabay.

This Sunday, the second reading will be from James 2:1-5. Be sure to read the other readings, for better context. It’s Lectionary # 128, if you’re reading from a hard copy.

Partiality is a hard thing to avoid. We all have preferences. We are partial to people who have similar interests and opinions to our own, and we naturally prefer to be around them, and we tend to take their parts in arguments.

Is this necessarily the kind of partiality that James is calling problematic?

Laws Given in Love

22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time

 

Original Image from Pixabay.

This Sunday, the second reading will be from James 1:17-18,21-22,27, but go ahead and read the intervening verses - you’ll lose nothing by it. Also, check out the other readings - it’s Lectionary # 125, if you’re reading from a hard copy.

I’m glad the Church doesn’t ask of us a lot of ritual religious customs in our regular everyday comings and goings. I mean, as customs go, abstaining from meat on Fridays and fasting two days a year really is not that bad! Not when you consider all the religious customs the Jews were required to observe every single day.