Category Archives: Year C
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Wis 11, 22-12, 2; Ps: 144, 1-2. 11-14; 2 Thes 1, 11-2, 2; Lk 19, 1-10 Scrutinized by People, But Admired by God Jon Pedley lived the life of a swinging millionaire until an alcohol-fueled car accident in … Continue reading
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C (Mission Sunday)
Readings: Sir 35:12-14, 16-18; Ps 34:2-3,17-19, 23; 2 Tim 4:6-8,16-18; Lk 18:9-14 THE HUMBLE WILL BE EXALTED A man received a promotion to the position of Vice President of the company he worked for. The promotion went to his head, … Continue reading
Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Ex 17:8-13; Ps 121:1-8; 2 Tim 3:14-4:2; Lk 18:1-8 “We must pray with our eyes on God… not on the difficulties.” — Oswald Chambers God only gives three answers to prayer: 1. Yes! 2. Not yet. 3. I have … Continue reading
Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: 2 Kgs 5:14-17; Ps 98:1-4; 2 Tim 2:8-13; Lk 17:11-19 “Each grateful thought we hold is a healing balm that transforms our lives” A poor woman would always sit among others in a certain market place selling bunches of … Continue reading
Twenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Hab 1:2-3;2:2-4; Ps 95:1-2,6-9; 2 Tim 1:6-8,13-14; Lk 17:5-10 THE JUST WILL LIVE BECAUSE OF THEIR FAITH Diane, a young Christian University student, was home for the summer. She had gone to visit some friends one evening and time … Continue reading
Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Amos 6:1, 4-7; Ps 146:7-10; 1 Tim 6:11-16; Lk 16:19-31 “Aspire to Inspire before you Expire!” Let us imagine this scene. A man dies and arrives before the judgment seat of God. The divine judge goes through the book … Continue reading
Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Am 8:4-7; Ps 113:1-2, 4-6, 7-8; 1 Tm 2:1-8; Lk 16:1-13 LIVING AS GOD’S FAITHFUL STEWARDS Everyone, even secretly, has mused about sudden wealth. What would we do the money? Pay bills? Quit employment? Buy new dwellings? Go on an … Continue reading
Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Ex 32:7-11, 13-14; Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 17, 19; 1 Tim 1:12-17; Lk 15:1-10 BLESSED ARE THE MERCIFUL In her novel ‘Five for Sorrow, Ten for Joy’, author Rumer Godden tells an intriguing tale. The heroine of the story is … Continue reading
Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Wis 9:13-18; Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14-17; Phmn 9-10, 12-17; Lk 14:25-33 PUUTING GOD FIRST There once was a man who had nothing for his family to eat. He had an old shotgun and three bullets. So, he decided … Continue reading
Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Sir 3:17-18,20,28-29; Ps 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11; Heb 12:18-19,22-24; Luke 14:1,7-14 “HUMILITY SAVES A MAN, BUT PRIDE MAKES HIM LOSE HIS WAY” — Pope Francis A truly humble man is hard to find, yet God delights to honor such selfless … Continue reading
Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Is 66:18-21; Ps 117:1, 2; Heb 12:5-7, 11-13; Lk 13:22-30 MAKE STRAIGHT YOUR PATHS! Five wise men got lost in the forest. The first one said: I will go the left – my intuition tells me that. The second … Continue reading
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary – C
Readings: Rev 11:19a; 12:1-6a, 10ab; Ps 45:10, 11, 12, 16; 1 Cor 15:20-27; Lk 1:39-56 TO JESUS THROUGH MARY With great joy we celebrate the solemn feast of Mary’s Assumption into heaven. It is not only a glorious mystery of … Continue reading
Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/081416.cfm “Be God’s prophets and God’s microphones.” — Oscar Romero The central theme of today’s readings is that we should courageously live out our religious convictions and principles in our lives, as Jeremiah, Paul and Jesus did theirs, even … Continue reading
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Wis 18, 6-9; Ps 32, 1.12.18-22; Heb 11, 1-2.8-19; Lk 12, 35-40 Integrating Awareness, Service and Faith into Our Lives There are times when we say to ourselves, “If only I could see more clearly! If only I knew … Continue reading
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Eccl 1:2; 2:21-23; Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14, 17; Col 3:1-5, 9-11; Lk 12:13-21 “A LONG LIFE MAY NOT BE GOOD ENOUGH, BUT A GOOD LIFE IS DEFINITELY LONG ENOUGH” Having Our Priorities Straight It happened that there was … Continue reading
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Gen 18, 20 -32; Ps: 137, 1-3. 6-8; Col 1, 12-14; Lk 11, 1-13 NEVER GIVE UP ON GOD BECAUSE GOD NEVER GIVES UP ON US God’s Delay Is Not His Denial I had been unemployed for most months of 2010. At … Continue reading
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Gen 18, 1-10; Ps: 14, 2-5; Col 1, 24-28; Lk 10, 38-42 SERVICE AND CONTEMPLATION Two Sides of the Same Coin On this 16th Sunday, the first reading and the Gospel have so much in common. Of utmost importance … Continue reading
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Dt 30:10-14;Ps 69:14, 17, 30-31, 33-34, 36, 37; Col 1:15-20; Lk10:25-37 WHO IS MY NEIGHBOR? The first reading is taken from the book of Deuteronomy 30:10-14 and is the final discourse of Moses, just prior to the selection of … Continue reading
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Is 66:10-14c; Ps 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20; Gal 6:14-18; Lk 10: 1-12, 17-20 AMBASSADORS FOR CHRIST The world famous Pagannini was scheduled to begin his violin recital, one evening, when he found that his Stradivarius violin had been … Continue reading
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: I Kgs 19:16b, 19-21; Gal 5:1, 13-18; Lk 9: 51-62 ANSWERING THE CALL OF CHRISTIAN DISCIPLESHIP During the US civil war Abraham Lincoln met with a group of ministers for a prayer breakfast. Lincoln was not a church-goer but … Continue reading
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Zech 12:10-11; 13:1; Ps 62:2-6. 8-9 r. 2; Gal 3:26-29; Lk 9:18-24 “WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?” Jesus saw aspects of his own life and mission foreshadowed in Zechariah’s prophecy given in the First Reading and in … Continue reading
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: 2 Sam 12: 7–10, 13; Ps 32: 1–2, 5,7,11; Gal 2:16, 19–21; Lk 7:36–50 TEARS, KISSES AND PERFUME Three things that Jesus is still looking for today. A religious man learned that a prostitute was doing business in the neighbourhood. … Continue reading
Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: 1 Kgs 17-17-24; Ps 30: 2,4-6,11-13; Gal 1:11-19; Lk 7:11-17 OUR GOD IS A GOD OF LIFE! The loving giver and preserver of all life, God is unjustly accused when conceived of as a vengeful, punishing despot who wrests … Continue reading
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ – C
Readings: Gen 14:18-20; Ps 110:1, 2, 3, 4; 1 Cor 11:23-26; Lk 9:11b-17 THE EUCHARIST IS JESUS! ….. HIS BODY, BLOOD, SOUL AND DIVINITY It was related that once when the Duke of Wellington remained to take Holy Communion at … Continue reading
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity – C
Readings: Prv 8:22-31; Ps 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Rom 5:1-5; Jn 16:12-15 “IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. AMEN.” At confirmation, the Archbishop asked the children for a definition of the Holy … Continue reading
Solemnity of Pentecost – C
Readings: Acts 2:1-11; 1 Cor. 12:3-7,12-13; Jn 20:19-23 “I Believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life.” You might not know the name Angelo Dundee, but you’ve undoubtedly heard of Muhammad Ali, probably the most famous professional … Continue reading
Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord – C
Readings: Acts 1:1-11; Ps 47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph 1:17-23; Lk 24:46-53 LOVE LIFTED ME The Key Zig Ziglar tells the story about an elderly man playing an organ in a cathedral in Europe. He was playing sad and melancholy music. … Continue reading
Sixth Sunday of Easter – C
Readings: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Ps 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; Rev 21:10-14, 22-23; Jn 14:23-29 To Obey is Better than Sacrifice Obedience in the Bible means this: love + trust + action. It starts with love, as Jesus said in John 14:15: … Continue reading
Fifth Sunday of Easter – C
Readings: Acts 14:21-27; Ps 145:8-13; Rev 21:1-5; Jn 13:31-35 WHAT IS LOVE? LOVE IS UNCONDITIONAL COMMITMENT TO AN IMPERFECT PERSON. TO LOVE SOMEBODY ISN’T JUST A STRONG FEELING. IT IS A DECISION, A JUDGEMENT AND A PROMISE OF A LIFETIME. Here … Continue reading
Fourth Sunday of Easter – C
Readings: Acts 13:14, 43-52; Ps 100:1-3, 5; Rev 7:9,14-17; Jn 10:27-30 GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY « World Day of Prayer for Vocations » “Who is running the Church, you or the Holy Spirit?” Here is an anecdote that perfectly conveys the … Continue reading
Third Sunday of Easter – C
Readings: Acts 5: 27-32, 40f. Rev 5:11-14 Jn 21:1-19 (or 1-14) LOVE CHANGES EVERYTHING A girl wanted a ring. But the boy gave a teddy bear instead. In anger the girl threw the bear on the road. The boy went … Continue reading
Second Sunday of Easter – C (Divine Mercy Sunday)
Readings: Acts 5:12-16; Ps 118:2-4,13-15, 22-24; Rev 1:9-13,17-19; Jn 20:19-31 “Lord Increase my Faith” Do you have doubts about the Christian faith? If so, you’re not alone. These are stories of others who have struggled, or are struggling, with tough … Continue reading
Easter Sunday – The Resurrection of the Lord
Readings: Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23; Col 3:1-4 or 1 Cor 5:6b-8; Jn 20:1-9 or Lk 24:1-12 The cross couldn’t hold him, the tomb couldn’t contain him, the burial cloths were unnecessary, because Jesus is alive! HE IS … Continue reading
Easter: VIA LUCIS – The Paschal Way of the Light
VIA LUCIS The Paschal Way of the Light Father Richard Veras The Paschal Way of the Light, or Via Lucis, is a new religious practice proper to the Easter liturgical period. The characteristics of the new devotion resemble the Way … Continue reading
Good Friday: Via Matris – The Way of Our Sorrowful Mother
VIA MATRIS The Way of Our Sorrowful Mother Father Romanus Cessario, O.P. Modeled on the Via Crucis, the pious exercise of the Via Matris Dolorosae, or simply the Via Matris, developed and was subsequently approved by the Apostolic See. This … Continue reading
Good Friday: Via Crucis – The Way of the Cross
VIA CRUCIS The Way of the Cross Father Peter John Cameron, O.P. The Way of the Cross is not only a great testimony to an inner depth and maturity, but it is in fact a school for interiority and consolation. … Continue reading
Good Friday Meditation: Seven Last Words of Christ
THE SEVEN LAST WORDS OF CHRIST By Father Donald Haggerty The First Word: Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. You wore a crown of thorns, Lord, your passion’s emblem of mockery, as you spoke … Continue reading
Holy Thursday Night Meditation (Adoration Vigil)
ADORATION VIGIL for Holy Thursday Night Father Richard Veras Before his public ministry began Jesus lived his own Lent. For forty days he faced the temptations of the devil. At the end of this time, we are told, When the … Continue reading
Palm Sunday – C
Readings: Is 50:4-7; Ps 22:8-9, 17-20, 23-24; Phil 2:6-11; Lk 22:14-23:56 HOSANNA! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! There’s an old story of the boy who stood on a sidewalk, waiting for a bus. A … Continue reading
Fifth Sunday of Lent – C
Readings: Is 43:16-21; Ps 126:1-6; Phil 3:8-14; Jn 8:1-11 EVERY SAINT HAS A PAST, AND EVERY SINNER, A FUTURE! Our title for today’s Reflection states that everyone who has been declared a Saint was, at one time, something less than … Continue reading
Fourth Sunday of Lent – C
Readings: Jos 5:9-12; Ps 34:2-7; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 GOD’S MERCY HAS NO BOUNDARIES A Modern-Day Prodigal: Jenny grew up in Rankin Park, Newcastle. In her early teenage years she fell into a pattern of long running battles … Continue reading
Third Sunday of Lent – C
Readings: Ex 3:1-8,13-15; Ps 103:1-4, 6-8, 11; 1 Cor 10:1-6, 10-12; Lk 13:1-9 I APPOINTED YOU TO BEAR FRUIT In our newspapers we read of disasters and watch catastrophes on television. And we deal with painful tragedies in the lives of … Continue reading
Second Sunday of Lent – C
Readings: Gen 15:5-12, 17-18; Ps 27:1,7-9, 13-14; Phil 3:17-4:1; Lk 9:28-36 Transfiguration of the Lord There’s a story of a magician doing wonderful magic tricks aboard a cruise ship. Every night, as the magician did something special, the Captain’s pet … Continue reading
First Sunday of Lent – C
Readings: Deut 26:4-10; Ps 91:1-2,10-15; Rom 10:8-13; Lk 4:1-13 “If You Can Eliminate Temptation, You Can Eliminate Sin” Once four priests were spending a couple of days at a cabin. In the evening they decided to tell each other their … Continue reading
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings:Is 6:1-8; Ps 138:1-5, 7-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11 God Uses Ordinary People In Extrordinary Ways For His Glory At first it may seem that that statement isn’t quite right and you may not believe it. After all aren’t … Continue reading
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Jer 1:4-5,17-19; Ps 71: 1-6,15-17; 1 Cor 12:31-13:13; Lk 4:21-30 BORN FOR GREATER THINGS! Most of the time we like people who please us, who say nice things about us, and do not confront us. Even if we are … Continue reading
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Neh 8:2-6,10; Ps 19:8-10,15; 1 Cor 12:12-30; Lk 1:1-4, 4:14-21 THE GOOD NEWS We spend much time listening to people talking to us. But do we believe what they say? We like to match what people say with their … Continue reading
Our Lady of Arabia / Second Sunday in Ordinary Time – C
Readings: Is 62:1-5; Ps 96:1-3, 7-10; 1 Cor 12:4-11; Jn 2:1-12 “MAKE SURE YOU INVITE JESUS AND MARY!” Johnny Carson (who hosted the Tonight Show for 30 years), was interviewing an eight-year-old boy one night. The young man was asked … Continue reading
The Baptism of the Lord – C
Readings: Is 40:1-5, 9-11; Ti 2:11-14, 3:4-7; Lk 3:15-16, 21-22 CLAIMING OUR INHERITANCE AS ‘ADOPTED SONS & DAUGHTERS’ I read this story of two pastors and one priest talking about the problem of cats invading their churches. The Baptist minister … Continue reading
The Epiphany of the Lord
Readings: Is 60:1-6; Ps 72:-12,7-8, 10-13; Eph 3:2-3,5-6; Mt 2:1-12 COME LET US ADORE HIM! Have you ever noticed how life doesn’t always turn out the way we carefully plan it to? Sometimes circumstances don’t always follow our plans. Often, … Continue reading