A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings
Trials We Have to Go through to Be New
Jesus dies for us so that we may live for him and in him. To live so means to go through trials and thus get to be a...
Sisters and Brothers All by Blood
Jesus is the only Son who is in the bosom of the Father. Through him, we are children by adoption, and so we cry,...
Worshipers of the Father in Spirit and Truth
Jesus embodies what to worship the Father in Spirit and truth means. Hence, we Christians are to be such worshipers....
Random acts of kindness
Baptism of the Lord (B), January 11, 2015 – Is 42, 1-4. 6-7; Acts 10, 34-38; Mk 1, 7-11 He went about doing good (Acts 10, 38) We the baptized are authentic followers of Jesus if we, in imitation of him, are God’s humble and suffering servants. Jesus humbly undergoes...
Take your pick
Epiphany of the Lord (B), January 4, 2015 – Is 60, 1-6; Eph 3, 2-3a. 5-6; Mt 2, 1-12 The Gentiles are coheirs (Eph 3, 6) Those who, like St. Elizabeth Seton, are open to others’ interests are guided to the light, while those who lock themselves up in their own...
Casa Santa Marta, not Palazzo Apostolico
Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (B), December 28, 2014 – Sir 3, 2-6. 12-14; Col 3, 12-21; Lk 2, 22-40 Put on … heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Col 3, 12) God wants us to be humble and holy in his sight. In Nazareth, sharing...
Not your usual dynasty builder
Fourth Sunday of Advent (B), December 21, 2014 – 2 Sam 7, 1-5. 8b-12. 14a. 16; Rom 16, 25-27; Lk 1, 26-38 To the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be glory forever and ever (Rom 16, 27) Jesus is the long-awaited Messiah. He comes to establish fully and definitively...
Genuine leather belt and camel hair
Third Sunday of Advent (B), December 14, 2014 – Is 61, 1-2a. 10-11; 1 Thes 5, 16-24; Jn 1, 6-8. 19-28 Do not quench the Spirit (1 Thes 5, 19) With God at our side, we shall never be shaken. He is the eternal reality, the solid truth, which affords us full security....
Late then, late now?
Second Sunday of Advent (B), December 7, 2014 – Is 40, 1-5. 9-11; 2 Pt 3, 8-14; Mk 1, 1-8 Hastening the coming of the day of God (2 Pt 3, 12) The Good News is, by definition, new. But it is also ancient; in the beginning it was with God. The Good News begins with the...
Walk for the poor
First Sunday of Advent (B), November 30, 2014 – Is 63, 16b-17. 19b; 1 Cor 1, 3-9; Mk 13, 33-37 God is faithful (1 Cor 1, 9) Repentant, we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our forgiving Savior. The prophet Isaiah confesses with sadness and humility the failings of...
Questioning authority
Thirty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jesus Christ, King of the Universe (A), November 23, 2013 – Ez 34, 11-12. 15-17; 1 Cor 15, 20-26. 28; Mt 25, 31-46 That God may be all in all (1 Cor 15, 28) The kingship of Jesus Christ puts into question all other kingship. He...
He means business
Thirty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), November 16, 2014 – Prov 31, 10-13. 19-20. 30-31; 1 Thes 5, 1-6; Mt 25, 14-30 Let us stay alert (1 Thes 5, 6) Jesus keeps urging us, “Do not be afraid.” He does not want our hearts to be troubled or frightened. But without...