A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings

Jesus indicates that serving God is serving the neighbor.  To help the needy, then, is part and parcel of the religion of his followers. Jesus teaches in the synagogue and amazes the people.  And by serving a needy person, he amazes them even more.  That is because he...

Jesus teaches with astonishing authority.  He expects those he has sent to proclaim the Gospel to every creature to carry out their mission with authority. Jesus does not teach as the scribes.  These serve as official interpreters of the law and the prophets. ...

Jesus embodies the change of mind, heart and behavior that the Gospel entails.  The kingdom of God belongs to those who conform to this change and clothe themselves with Jesus. With the arrest of John the Baptist, a painful change enters his life.  But God does not...

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.  Happy are those who, accepting his invitation, enter into communion with him. Once again, John the Baptist announces that Jesus is the Lamb of God.  Because of this second announcement, two disciples of...

Jesus reveals the invisible God.  Jesus’ true brothers and sisters, then, cannot but reveal the authentic face of God and religion. The Only-Begotten Son is the exact image of the invisible God who dwells in unapproachable light.  He lives eternally and intimately...

Jesus is the hope of Israel and of all nations.  Those who trust in him and welcome him rise.  They fall, on the other hand, those who distrust and reject him. Joseph and Mary are devout Jews.  That is why they come with the child Jesus to the temple to...

Already at birth, Jesus offers himself as the food that gives life and saves.  Unless we eat his flesh and drink his blood, we have no life within us. Mary does not lay her child in a crib.  Rather, she lays him, wrapped in swaddling clothes, in a manger, which holds...

Jesus fulfills the promise of God to king David of an everlasting royal house.  This kingdom is for the poor of all peoples. Living in a palace and enjoying peace and security, king David thinks of building God a house.  But the holy and pious thought of the king does...

Jesus, the incarnate Word, is the light that enlightens everyone.  Christians prove themselves through the humble and courageous testimony they give in his behalf. This time, we have a portrait of John the Baptist giving a deposition in a court trial.  That is because...