A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings

Jesus brings fulfillment to the law and the prophets.  Accordingly, he gives to the Passover meal its full meaning.  To take part in the Eucharist is to share in the fullness of Christ. Jesus and his disciples are pilgrims in Jerusalem.  And they celebrate there the...

Jesus reveals God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Looking out for others’ interests, we also reveal the Most Holy Trinity. No one has ever seen God.  But his Son reveals him.  Jesus does not use the word Trinity, of course, nor does any New Testament writer. No,...

The risen Jesus breathes on us.  Anointing us so with the Holy Spirit, he sends us to work with him in the evangelization of the poor. The risen Jesus stands in the midst of his disciples.   Never mind that it is dark and the disciples bolted the doors.  First, he...

Christ ascends into heaven, which means he deigned to descend to the earth to bring the Good News to the poor.  If we imitate him, we will ascend into heaven also. The apostles look intently at Jesus as he leaves.  But a question cuts short their contemplation, “Why...

As the Father loves him, so does Jesus love us.  And to remain in his love, that is, to keep his commandment of love, is what he wants us to do. Jesus is saying farewell to his disciples.  He comforts them, assuring them that where he will be, there too they will be,...

Jesus is the vine and his disciples, the branches.  Remaining in Jesus, and he in them, the disciples bear much fruit. Remaining now in the true vine, Paul gives much fruit. He does not only speak boldly in the name of Jesus. He also toils harder than all the other...

Jesus is the good Shepherd.  He knows his sheep, and they know and follow him.  But they run away from shepherds they do not know and whose voice they do not recognize. God condemns rulers who take advantage of their people.  They are shepherds who pasture...

Our Lord Jesus Christ is truly risen.  Those who genuinely believe in him meet him really alive in our midst.  He is not a ghost. The risen Jesus gives his disciples the greeting of peace.  But just the same, his sudden appearance frightens and surprises them.  They...

Jesus is the model of the true missionary.  He sends us who claim to be Christians as his missionaries, for the sake of others. As the Father has sent him, so Jesus sends his disciples.  That is to say, God’s missionary par excellence, in turn, makes his disciples...