Jesus comes down from heaven and dwells among us. He takes up our flesh of death to give us spirit and life. He...
A Vincentian reading of the Sunday readings
Bearers of Joy and Hope That Flows Over
Jesus’ is the power that frees us from the sadness and hopelessness of death. He wants us to be bearers of joy and...
Perishable, Yet Saving Just the Same
The Word becomes flesh; the imperishable, perishable. And he shares in our humanity so that we may share in his...
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...
“Francis, rebuild my Church”
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, November 9, 2014 – Ez 47, 1-2. 8-9. 12; 1 Cor 3, 9c-11. 16-17; Jn 2, 13-22 Do you not know that you are the temple of God? (1 Cor 3, 16) Christ loves the Church, handing himself over for her. He cleanses her with the bath of water...
Make your bed
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, November 2, 2014 – Lam 3, 17-26; Rom 6, 3-9; Jn 14, 1-6 If we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him (Rom 6, 8) Whether at death I rest eternally in God or my heart stays restless will depend on...
You can run, but you can’t hide
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A), October 26, 2014 – Ex 22, 20-26; 1 Thes 1, 5c-10; Mt 22, 34-40 Receiving the word in great affliction, with joy from the Holy Spirit (1 Thes 1, 6) It is easy to recite the two inseparable commandments on which the whole law and...
