Dream, Dream, Dream
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Today in the first reading from Jeremiah 23, the Lord says, “Behold, the days are coming when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; as king he shall...
Skeletons in the Closet
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Well, it is one week before Christmas Eve! Are you feeling it yet? Beginning today, the liturgy begins to unfold the story of Christmas. In the first reading today from...
Words to Hang Onto
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 7, Jesus reveals the truth about John the Baptist. “This is the one about whom Scripture says: Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead...
Just Deeds and Power
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In today's first reading from Isaiah 45, the LORD says, "To me every knee shall bend; by me every tongue shall swear, Saying, "Only in the LORD are just deeds...
Saying and Doing
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In the first reading today from Zephaniah 3, we read about “a remnant…a people humble and lowly, who shall take refuge in the name of the Lord…They shall do no...
Submitting to Jesus' Authority
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In today’s first reading from Numbers 24, we meet an interesting character named Balaam. Balaam utters a prophecy. “A star shall advance from Jacob, and staff shall rise from Israel.”...
The Humility of John
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Today is the Third Sunday in Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday. You’ll notice the priest lighting the rose colored candle on the Advent wreath. Once again, our Gospel reading...
God of the Unexpected
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In the first reading today from Sirach 48, we see a synopsis of the life and times of Elijah. The people were awaiting his return. In the Gospel reading from...
The Way of Wisdom
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In the first reading today from Isaiah 48, God says, “I, the LORD, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should...
John is Elijah
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You may know that the most common admonition in Scripture is "Be not afraid" or some variation thereof. We see one in today's first reading from Isaiah 41. "It is...
Conceived Without Sin
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Today we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Remember that, for Catholics, today is a Holy Day of obligation. I hope you will make it a point to attend...
The People is the Grass
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In today’s first reading from Isaiah 40, Isaiah is told, “Cry out!” He answers to the voice, “What shall I cry out?” We’ll talk about it in a moment. In...
We Have Seen Incredible Things
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Today's "golden thread" is about healing. In the first reading from Isaiah 35 we read, "Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be...
A Voice in the Desert
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Today is the Second Sunday of Advent. In the Gospel reading from Luke 3, we read about the ministry of John the Baptist. He is the one about whom the...
More Than a Teacher
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As you read today’s first reading from Isaiah 30, I hope your mind is immediately drawn to Jesus. We see these prophesies so perfectly fulfilled in Jesus. More on that...
The Blind Shall See
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In the first reading today from Isaiah 29, the LORD GOD says, “On that day the deaf shall hear the words of a book; And out of gloom and darkness,...
Jesus' Construction Lesson
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Our first reading from Isaiah 26 includes this: "For the LORD is an eternal Rock. Jesus continues this theme of rock in our Gospel reading from Matthew 7. Today Jesus...
Behold Our God!
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In the Gospel reading today from Matthew 15, Jesus feeds a great multitude. He says, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd…I do not want to send them...
Beautiful Feet
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of St. Andrew. Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter, whom he introduced to Jesus. Tradition says he died on an "X" shaped cross...
Faith and the Banquet
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Faith is key. Jesus spoke often about the importance of faith, and commended those who had faith, be they Jew or Gentile. In today's first reading from Isaiah 2, the...
A Scary Moment Awaits
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Today is the First Sunday of Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year. Advent precedes Christmas because we reflect on the coming of the Lord. While Christmas celebrates His...
Drowsy Hearts
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In the Liturgical year, this might be considered New Year’s Eve. The new Church year starts tomorrow with the First Sunday of Advent. The theme of the Advent readings is...
Son of Man
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In today’s first reading from Daniel 7, we see the term “son of man” first used. This is the phrase that Jesus used more than any other to refer to...
Catholicism and Thanksgiving
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Today is Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. Happy Thanksgiving! I have a link to today’s readings at the bottom of today’s post. These are optional readings for Thanksgiving Day. But...
The Writing on the Wall
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I think that many people are unaware that many common expressions actually originated in the Bible. Today is another example of that. We’ll talk about it in a sec. For...
The Last Days
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Ever heard the expression “feet of clay?” It means when someone has a fatal flaw. Usually someone admired or thought highly of. We use the expression when someone lets us...
No Pain, No Gain
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In the first reading today, we read the beginning of the Book of the Prophet Daniel. Daniel was a gifted young man, and faithful to God. For that, God blessed...
Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe
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Today the Church celebrates the end of the liturgical year. Fittingly enough, it is the Feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, or more commonly referred to...
Not God of the Dead
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The first reading today from 2 Maccabees is an amazing story of courage in the face of terrible persecution. Read it for yourself, because it ties directly in with today’s...
A House of Prayer
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In the first reading today from 1 Maccabees 4, we read about the origins of Hanukkah. Do you know what that Jewish feast, celebrated to this day, is all about?...
Recognizing Our Visitation
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Another great story today from 1 Maccabees. Today we meet Mattathias. Mattathias had had enough of the baloney (this is a family blog) that was being shoved down the throats of...
Parenting for Eternity
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In our first reading today from 2 Maccabees 7, we meet yet another fascinating character. She is a mother who exhibits amazing faith and bravery. Some may think otherwise, but...
An Old Man Leads the Way
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In today’s readings, we meet two great characters of the Bible! The first is one who is probably very little known, the other very well known, especially with kids. He...
A Pretty Big Deal
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Our first readings this week will be from 1 and 2 Maccabees. We'll meet some amazing heroes of the faith, from whom we can learn much. Today's Gospel reading from...
My Words Will Not Pass Away
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In today’s Gospel reading from Mark 13, Jesus says, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” And so it has been. Seasons come and go....
Learning from a Dishonest Judge
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In today's Gospel reading from Luke 18, Jesus tells a parable about a dishonest judge. A widow comes to him seeking a judgment, but he refuses. The widow, however, kept...
Distracted
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I often wonder how anyone can be an atheist. Today's first reading from Wisdom 13 speaks to that conundrum. "For from the greatness and the beauty of created things, their...
The Kingdom of God is Here!
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In today’s Gospel reading from Luke 17, the Pharisees ask Jesus when the Kingdom of God would come. What they didn’t realize was that they were standing in it. Jesus...
The Other Nine
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God doesn't care if you're great or small in the eyes of the world. Today's first reading from Wisdom 6 tells us, "For the Lord of all shows no partiality,...
The Temple of God
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Today the Church celebrates the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. If you’ve never gotten the opportunity to visit this church in Rome, I hope you will someday....
Wisdom
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For the first reading today, we begin a quick trip through the Book of Wisdom. In the Gospel reading from Luke 17, Jesus talks about sin, causing others to sin,...
God Will Provide
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In the first reading today from 1 Kings 17, we see a story of Elijah and a widow. Then in the Gospel reading, Jesus commends a widow for her donation. At...
Serving Two Masters
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In the Gospel reading today from Luke 16, Jesus talks about how it is impossible to serve two masters. “No servant can serve two masters. He will either hate one...
The Dishonest Steward
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If anyone had a right to boast, it was St. Paul. A prolific writer, eloquent speaker, man of great charisma…the guy had it all. But he would never boast of...
Hide and Seek
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In the first reading today from Romans 14, St. Paul writes, “None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself. For if we live, we live for...
Renounce Everything
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I love Romans 13:8, the opening line in today’s first reading: “Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”...
All Souls' Day
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Today we celebrate All Souls' Day. On this feast (and throughout the month of November) we pray for the souls of the faithful departed. To many non-Catholic Christians, this seems...
All Holy Men and Women, Pray for Us
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Today is the Solemnity of All Saints. This year it is not a Holy Day of Obligation, since it falls on a Monday. I have a long standing tradition on my...
Not Far From the Kingdom of God
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In today's Gospel passage from Mark 12, Jesus is asked which is the first of all the commandments. He answers with two: You shall love the Lord, your God and...
Irrevocable
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Today I want to concentrate on one sentence in our first reading. This passage from Romans 11 has always had a great deal of meaning to me. St. Paul writes, “For the...