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John the Baptist Points the Way to Our Lord, Jesus Christ
Once again, the first section of the Book of Isaiah provides the first biblical reading. This weekend’s reading is in the same mood as that of last week. Isaiah was […]
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Advent Reminds Us to Prepare for the Coming of Christ
First Sunday of Advent With this weekend, the Church begins its new liturgical year. In so doing, it also begins to use Cycle A of readings at Sunday Masses. This […]
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Christ is King Who Reigns with Full Authority
The Second Book of Samuel furnishes the first biblical reading for this solemnity, marking the close of the Church’s year. Once the two books of Samuel composed a single volume. […]
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Our Task as Christians Is to Be True to the Gospel
The Book of Malachi supplies this weekend’s Liturgy of the Word with its first reading. Malachi was not the name of the author of this book. Rather, it refers to […]
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Christ Is Still with Us, Still Forgives Us, and Still Nourishes Us
This weekend, the Church celebrates the feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St. John on the Lateran Hill in Rome. Most Catholics, and indeed most people, presume St. […]
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Christ Purifies Us – Heals Us – from the Damage of Sin
Almost 1,000 years ago, the great Benedictine abbey of Cluny in France, situated roughly two-thirds of the way from Paris to Geneva, was a major center of learning, piety, caring […]
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Strive to Please God; Only Foolish Seek Earthly Rewards
The Book of Sirach provides this weekend’s first Scriptural reading. The book is part of the group of biblical writings classified by scholars collectively as the Wisdom Literature. The Wisdom […]
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In Prayer, We Are Called to Be Humble and to Trust in God
The Book of Exodus is the source of this weekend’s first reading. One of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, its concepts are attributed to Moses himself. As […]
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As Sinners, We Are All Lepers Seeking the Mercy of God
The Second Book of Kings furnishes this weekend with its first scriptural reading at Mass. Once the two books of Kings were a single volume, but time passed, and editors […]
Perspective
Christ Walks with Us Through Obstacles – if We Let Him
27th Sunday in Ordinary Time This weekend’s first reading is from the Book of Habakkuk, by comparison among the prophets a short work, including only three chapters. In some cases, […]
Perspective
The Gospel Calls Us to Rethink What Makes Us Rich
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time The Book of Amos provides this weekend’s first reading. The book itself states that it was written during the reign of King Uzziah of Judah […]
Perspective
True Joy Comes from Pursuing Holiness, Not Wealth
25th Sunday in Ordinary Time The first reading for this weekend is from the Book of Amos. This prophet, regarded as one of the Minor Prophets, was from Tekoa, a […]