A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings

Jesus makes all things new.  Hence, he questions traditions and customs, most of all, those that veil his true face. Jesus and his disciples are at a wedding.  There too is his mother.  And the wedding, no doubt, follows the traditions and customs of the Jews. But as...

Jesus is the one the Father has anointed with the Holy Spirit.  Hence, he cannot but baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire, and do good.  The baptized are to do the same. John the Baptist is simple and humble.  He does not want to let down those he has baptized or...

Jesus is the best and the fullest of God’s manifestations to us humans.  It is enough to see and know him to see and know God. The word “epiphany” comes Greek and means “manifestation,” “revelation,” “apparition.”  And there are manifestations and manifestations. ...

Jesus is our Savior.  He saves us from sin and frees us from those with sacrilegious claims.  And he gives us his Holy Name. Jesus is born in Bethlehem.  And shepherds visit him, the ones that we deem the least to make claims to greatness.  But God makes known to them...

Jesus is the Son of God and the Brother of all men and women.  To belong to his family means to keep in the heart his teaching. Twelve-year old Jesus sits in the midst of the teachers.  He listens and asks them questions; all who hear him are amazed.  No doubt, it is...

Jesus is born on the outskirts of Bethlehem, in a shelter for animals in bad weather.  There, yes, is where to find and touch him, and be touched by him. “Poignant and powerful, this is a real song, maybe just too real for some tastes.”  It is one of the many comments...

Jesus is the fullness of God’s visits to us humans to save us.  The visits we pay to our neighbor should be like Jesus’. Mary is besides herself after the angel Gabriel’s visit.  That is to say, she cannot keep her joy to herself.  So, she goes in haste, since she has...

Jesus is near.  He will rule the world and all peoples with justice.  Hence, those who wait for him, and seek his kingdom, rejoice. The prophet Zephaniah bids those whom God has chosen to rejoice and sing with joy.  For the Lord who fights for them and frees them is...

Jesus has become poor so that we may be rich by his poverty.  He chooses but the poor on the outskirts to witness to him. The word of God comes to John in the desert, on the outskirts.  That is to say, the son of Elizabeth and Zechariah is the prophet of the Most...