The Institution of the Eucharist and the Priesthood
Posted on
Lent is over today. Now, that doesn’t mean that you stop with your Lenten penances and practices. Those should continue into Saturday evening. Tonight we begin the Sacred Triduum. It...
Spy Wednesday
Posted on
1 comment
Want to know what Jesus is all about and what he did for you? Check out today’s first reading from Isaiah 50. It really says it all. On Wednesday of...
The Best Intentions
Posted on
1 comment
Our first reading today is from Isaiah 49, more from the prophesies of the Servant of the Lord. “I will make you a light to the nations, that my salvation...
Giving Jesus Our Best
Posted on
As we begin Holy Week, we'll be reading the prophesies of the Suffering Servant, or the Servant of the Lord, from Isaiah. We see Jesus so clearly portrayed in all...
The Lord's Passion
Posted on
Today is Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday. Today we will hear the reading of the Passion narrative from Matthew's Gospel in the liturgy. It is perhaps the longest reading of...
One Dying for the Many
Posted on
As we approach Palm Sunday, the story of the final week of Jesus’ life unfolds. In the first reading from Ezekiel 37, the prophet speaks of the return of the...
Doing the Father's Works
Posted on
1 comment
In today’s first reading from Jeremiah 20, we hear the people plotting against Jeremiah. But they will not be victorious; they will not have their way. Jeremiah says, “But the...
Longing for I AM
Posted on
2 comments
There are only a very few instances of God changing someone’s name in the Scriptures. Today we see the first of these in Genesis 17. Abram gets a new name....
Trial by Fire
Posted on
2 comments
In today’s first reading from Daniel 3, we see the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego getting thrown into the fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had faith. Faith enough...
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
Posted on
1 comment
Sutton Turner of Vanderbloemen joined Gus to talk about how churches, religious schools and non-profits can benefit from the recent stimulus bill. Leaders of these groups must act fast. Get...
The Antidote for Sin
Posted on
1 comment
Today’s first reading from Numbers 21 tells us the story of God sending saraph serpents among the people of Israel, who had become terrible whiners. God then commands Moses to...
Sin No More
Posted on
In today’s readings, we see the stories of two women who are about to be killed. In the first reading from Daniel, we see the story of Susanna. Two wicked...
Come Out!
Posted on
For the Fifth Sunday of Lent, the theme of the readings is being raised from the dead. In the first reading from Ezekiel 37, God says, “Then you hslal know...
Vengeance is Mine
Posted on
You may have heard the saying, "Vengeance is mine, says the Lord." That's from Romans 12:19, and not part of today's liturgy. But it comes to mind for me because...
Close to the Brokenhearted
Posted on
1 comment
An eerie first reading today from Wisdom 2. It describes the things that Jesus went through to a tee. Be sure to read it and see if you don’t shake...
Craving Approval
Posted on
1 comment
In today’s first reading from Exodus 32, Moses has a little heart-to-heart with God, asking Him to relent from destroying His people. And God relented. A wonderful statement on the...
The First Christian
Posted on
Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation of the Lord. This is the moment when the Angel Gabriel came to Mary to tell her she had been chosen to...
Do You Want to be Well?
Posted on
2 comments
Water is a theme that runs through our two readings today. In the first reading from Ezekiel 47, the Angel of the Lord shows Ezekiel a trickle of water flowing...
"Heal My Son"
Posted on
I hear so often from people whose children no longer go to church or practice the faith. I know it is heartbreaking. More in a moment. In today’s first reading...
Blindness and Sight
Posted on
Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent. The Gospel reading today is from John 9. It is the story of a man blind from birth who received his sight from...
The Deadliest Trap
Posted on
1 comment
Another beautiful reading from Hosea today for our first reading. Through the prophet, the Lord says, “For it is love that I desire, not sacrifice, and knowledge of God rather...
Loving God, Loving People
Posted on
1 comment
Today’s first reading from Hosea 14 contains some of the most beautiful imagery in Scripture. It shows us God’s loving heart for his people. Even though they had turned away,...
Our Example of Fatherhood
Posted on
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Joseph. In our first reading from 2 Samuel, God says that his Son would spring from the line of David. “I will...
Passing On the Faith
Posted on
The observance of God’s laws was of paramount importance to the Israelite people. God gave his laws to Moses, who taught them to and enjoined them on the people. More...
No Wiggle Room
Posted on
In the first reading today from Daniel 3, we hear the heartfelt and beautiful prayer of Azariah. He, along with his two companions, is in a fiery furnace offering a...
Putting Away Pride
Posted on
Our first reading today is from 2 Kings 5. It is a story about a man named Naaman. Naaman was not a child of Israel. He was a commander in...
Breaking Down Barriers
Posted on
Today's Gospel reading is from John 4, the story of the woman at the well. Jesus meets up with a Samaritan woman at a well. Two unusual things automatically pop into...
The Way Home
Posted on
What a beautiful first reading we have today from Michah 7. The prophet says, “You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins.” When we confess our...
The Enemy that is Envy
Posted on
Today’s readings feature two stories of envy, one real, the other a parable. In the first reading from Genesis 27 we see the story of Joseph. His father, Israel “loved...
The Church as Messenger
Posted on
You trust God, right? Of course you do. But can you trust God more? Can you trust God in every area of your life? I believe that we probably don’t...
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished
Posted on
I’m sure you’ve heard the old expression “No good deed goes unpunished.” Ain’t it the truth? Just take a look at the Scriptures. The prophets of old were simply doing...
Let Us Set Things Right
Posted on
I don’t know about you, but I find that, more often than not, something is not quite right in my relationship with God. It is always my fault, this I...
Of Judgment and Measure
Posted on
1 comment
Confession is so important. In today’s first reading from Daniel 9, Daniel confesses the sins of his people to the LORD. He comes clean, as we must. Today’s Gospel reading...
Good That We are Here
Posted on
For the Second Sunday of Lent, we read the story of the Transfiguration from Matthew 17. Upon seeing Jesus in His glory, along with Moses and Elijah, Peter says, “Lord,...
No Reward for Easy
Posted on
In today’s Gospel passage from Matthew 5, Jesus says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” He then goes on to ask some rhetorical questions. “For if...
No Fair!
Posted on
I just love the first reading today from Ezekiel 18. The Lord God says, “You say, ‘The Lord’s way is not fair!’ Hear now, house of Israel: Is it my...
Living the Golden Rule
Posted on
The first reading today is from the Book of Esther. It is a fascinating story and one that I recommend you read. (The whole book is just a few pages...
Ignoring the Sign
Posted on
Most people know the story of Jonah. At least, they know part of it; they know the part where he gets swallowed by a big fish. But what about the...
God Doesn't Do Something for Nothing
Posted on
Today's first reading is Isaiah 55:10-11. This passage is so important for us to understand, and is instrumental in my teaching about Seeds of Grace. "Just as from the heavens...
These Least Ones
Posted on
In the first reading today from Leviticus 19, the Lord tells Moses to tell the people how to conduct themselves. Though not the Ten Commandments, this reading sounds similar. It...
Going Into the Desert
Posted on
1 comment
Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew 4 tells us that, before the beginning of his public ministry, Jesus went into the desert for forty days, where he was tempted by Satan. This...
Following the Example of Levi
Posted on
1 comment
Today's Gospel reading from Luke 5 is about the call of Levi. Not sure who Levi is? We know him better as Matthew. He was a tax collector. Jesus sees Levi...
A Different Kind of Fast
Posted on
In our first reading today from Isaiah 58, we hear what is truly an acceptable form of fasting. More on that in a moment. In the Gospel reading, the Pharisees...
The Consequences of Choice
Posted on
In our first reading today from Deuteronomy, Moses tells the people what they must do in order to enter the promised land. Obey the commandments of the Lord, love Him,...
You are Dust
Posted on
Blessed Ash Wednesday! Today we begin our Lenten journey for 2020. Whatever you have chosen to do or give up (or a combination thereof), I pray that this will be...
What We Ask For
Posted on
“If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.” Those words of Jesus come to us from today’s Gospel reading from...
Help My Unbelief
Posted on
Wisdom comes in two forms: heavenly wisdom and earthly wisdom. St. James speaks of the two in today’s first reading from James 3. Which type of wisdom are we working...
Of Eyes and Teeth
Posted on
We have another controversial Gospel reading today from Matthew 5. Jesus talks about offering no resistance to the one who is evil; about turning the other cheek. The old law...
The Chair of St. Peter
Posted on
Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter. It has nothing to do with a piece of furniture. Today we celebrate the office of the Papacy...
Faith and Works
Posted on
Today’s first reading from St. James is a treatise on faith and works. St. James says “faith without works is dead.” More on that in a moment. In today’s Gospel...