Monthly Archives: August 2013

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29;Psalm 68:4-7, 10-11; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14:1, 7-14 Humble yourself the more, the greater you are, and you will find mercy in the sight of God. (Sirach 3:18) Pride is like … Continue reading →

21st Week in Ordinary Time 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8;Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 10-12; Matthew 25:1-13 “God did not call us to impurity but to holiness. (1 Thessalonians 1:7)” St. Paul tells us that God has called us to holiness and honor in … Continue reading →

The Passion of Saint John the Baptist 1 Thessalonians 3:7-13; Psalm 90:3-5, 12-14, 17;Mark 6:17-29 “‘What shall I ask for?’ … ‘The head of John the Baptist.’ (Mark 6:24)” How do you think you would act if you had TV … Continue reading →

Saint Augustine, Bishop and Doctor of the Church 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13; Psalm 139:7-12;Matthew 23:27-32 “You are like whitewashed tombs…” (Matthew 23:27) If Jesus had lived in Vietnam, maybe he would have compared the scribes and Pharisees to the voodoo lily. … Continue reading →

Psalm 139:1-6;1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Matthew 23:23-26 Saint Monica “Lord, you have probed me, you know me.” (Psalm 139:1) Lord, you have looked into my heart and you know me intimately. Everything about me is an open book to you, a … Continue reading →

1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, 8-10; Psalm 149:1-6, 9;Matthew 23:13-22 21st Week in Ordinary Time “You lock the kingdom of heaven before human beings. You do not enter yourselves, nor do you allow entrance.” (Matthew 23:13) Jesus accused these Pharisees of shutting … Continue reading →

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Isaiah 66:18-21; Psalm 117:1-2; Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13;Luke 13:22-30 “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” (Luke 13:23) These are perhaps the scariest words in Scripture. Embedded within this fellow’s question is the fear that … Continue reading →

Saint Rose of Lima, Virgin Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22;Psalm 146:5-10; Matthew 22:34-40 “But Ruth stayed with her.” (Ruth 1:14) From almost the time they can talk, children start to negotiate. “If I eat my dinner, will I get dessert? … Continue reading →

Judges 11:29-39; Psalm 40:5, 7-10; Matthew 22:1-14 The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary “How is it that you came in here without a wedding garment?” (Matthew 22:12) Suppose you’re invited to a good friend’s wedding. After the ceremony, you … Continue reading →

Saint Pius X, Pope Judges 9:6-15; Psalm 21:2-7;Matthew 20:1-16 “Are you envious because I am generous?” (Matthew 20:16) So God owns a vineyard and decides to hire people at different points and pay the same wage. In our society that … Continue reading →