Category Archives: Daily Liturgy

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT  God, Our Rock                                                Introduction          The first reading comes from an insert in Isaiah that was written in a later period. It speaks of God’s judgment and the victory of God over “cities” of sin. But Jerusalem, God’s community, God’s city, will stand. Those faithful to God can rely on […]

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT Bread for the Poor Introduction          For Isaiah, the sign of the messianic times is that through the Messiah God will give to his people an abundance of food and drink. People long for life, and for peace. Prisoners want to be free, the blind wants to see, the hungry wants […]

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT  ANDREW, Apostle   Introduction Andrew must have been a seeker of God. He first followed John the Baptist, then, when John had pointed out Jesus he transferred to Jesus. He brought several to Jesus: his brother Simon Peter, some Greeks looking for Jesus; at the multiplication he noticed the boy with […]

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT  UNIVERSAL SALVATION                                        Introduction       Today’s message speaks of universal salvation. Isaiah preaches that all are called to believe in God, to worship him, to live according to God’s plans and laws, and to enjoy his peace. Jerusalem stands here for God’s believing people. (In year A, another reading from […]

FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT   Waiting in Tension Watchful, but not Afraid   Greeting (See Second Reading) May the Lord so confirm your hearts in holiness that you may be blameless in the sight of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus Christ comes. May the Lord be always with you. R/ And also with […]

THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME PERSEVERING HOPE   Introduction The vision of the author of the book of Daniel confirms that, however terrifying the persecutions of the Syrian king, God has the final say in history, evil will be overcome, and God’s powers of goodness will be victorious. Still, the Gospel: warns us. We may […]

THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME   THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS NEAR   Introduction In the famous chapter 7 of Daniel, a mysterious “Son of Man” (a human being) is announced. Is he an individual or a community? He belongs to both earth and heaven and will inaugurate a kingdom that comes as a gift from […]

THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME FAITH IN A SAVING GOD                                                                                 Introduction       Today’s story of the first reading is not historical but edifying. It applies again to Antiochus IV “Epiphanes,” who obliged the people in his kingdom to pray only to his god, Baal-Zeus, of whom he pretended to be the manifestation. […]

THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME  OPPORTUNITY FOR WITNESSING                                  Introduction       The message of hope of the previous days continues in today’s readings. The Syrian king oppressed the Jews and declared himself “Epiphanes,” that is, “God become visible”; God will soon judge him and his kingdom will come to an end. He appears here […]

  THIRTY-FOURTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME  TAKE CARE NOT TO BE MISLED                                                                        Introduction       In a time of unrest in the Church, with our search for living our faith in a renewed way, the readings of today bring us a message of hope and trust. Kingdoms built without God will decay, destroy […]