Monthly Archives: December 2014

Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Psalm 128:1-5 Colossians 3:12-21 Luke 2:22-30 My son, take care of your father. (Sirach 3:12) Have you heard of the “sandwich generation?” It doesn’t have to do with food; it’s the situation many adults find themselves in, … Continue reading →

2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 Psalm 89:2-5, 27, 29 Romans 16:25-27 Luke 1:26-38 The Lord … will establish a house for you. (2 Samuel 7:11) Imagine David’s surprise when God denied his request to build a temple but promised … Continue reading →

Judges 13:2-7, 24-25 Psalm 71:3-6, 16-17 Luke 1:5-25 The angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right of the altar of incense. (Luke 1:11) Zechariah was thunderstruck. Not only had he seen an angel up close and … Continue reading →

Jeremiah 23:5-8 Psalm 72:1-2, 12-13, 18-19; Matthew 1:18-25 When Joseph awoke, he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him. (Matthew 1:24) Many of us know George Bailey as the main character in the classic film It’s a … Continue reading →

Genesis 49:2, 8-10 Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, 17 Matthew 1:1-17 The genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. (Matthew 1:1) A family of liars, adulterers, murderers, fornicators, connivers, and blasphemers. What a miserable lot! And yet … Continue reading →

Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17;Psalm 25:4-9;Matthew 21:23-27 By what authority are you doing these things? (Matthew 21:23) Dancers glide and spin with a grace and agility that dazzle those of us who struggle to touch our toes. We know they have found … Continue reading →

Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11;(Psalm) Luke 1:46-50, 53-54;1 Thessalonians 5:16-24;John 1:6-8, 19-28 3rd Sunday of Advent Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) Without ceasing? At all? Obviously, Paul is not talking about praying all day long. Rather, he is calling us to … Continue reading →

Our Lady of Guadalupe I am coming to dwell among you, says the Lord. (Zechariah 2:14) If you want to give your faith a boost, reflect on the events surrounding today’s feast. One December morning in 1531, the Virgin Mary … Continue reading →

Saint Damasus I, Pope Isaiah 41:13-20 Psalm 145:1, 9-13 Matthew 11:11-15 If you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, the one who is to come. (Matthew 11:14) If a world-famous violinist were performing in a train station, would … Continue reading →

2nd Week of Advent Isaiah 40:25-31;Psalm 103:1-4, 8, 10;Matthew 11:28-30 Have you not heard? The Lord is the eternal God, creator of the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 40:28) The Israelites needed a wake-up call. Living in exile, surrounded by … Continue reading →