The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is a great resource for Catholics to explore the Faith and Traditions of the Church. When one reads the article on the Sacrament of the Eucharist it is clear that the sacrament is largely discussed in the context of the celebration of the Mass. But what about outside of the celebration of Mass? Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 2nd Sunday in Lent. In yesterday’s post we described the theophany and offered some comments on the OT imagery contained in the theophany. But, what purposes did this theophany serve? There are a number of possibilities. Brian Stoffregen has compiled a good list of things to consider. Continue reading
Today’s first reading is one of my favorite chapters of the Old Testament: Isaiah 55. It always reminds me of the parable of the Sower and the Seed from the gospels with the Word of God being sent into the world on good and poor soil alike. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 2nd Sunday in Lent. After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no fuller on earth could bleach them. (Mark 9:2-3) Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 2nd Sunday in Lent in Lectionary Cycle B. The first eight chapters of the Gospel according to Mark have been a display of the teachings, authority, and power of Jesus. These chapters include accounts of healings, casting out of demons, and the miracle feeding of more than 4,000 people – and yet the question still remains: who is this person Jesus? At Caesarea Philippi Jesus asks the disciples who the people say that he is (8:27) and receives a variety of answers: “John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.” And then the question is turned to the disciples, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said to him in reply, “You are the Messiah.” Continue reading
The very first liturgical action in the Rite of Baptism isn’t pouring water – it is marking the one to recieve baptism with the sign of the cross – traced on the forehead. At the same time speaking the words, “I claim you for Christ…” They are powerful words, words of life and death. Words that mark a new beginning. “I claim you for Christ…” This is who you are and whose you are. Similar words mark the public ministry of the Messiah, “This is my beloved Son…”
Then off all go into the world, into the wilderness that can be this life.
This coming Sunday is the 1st Sunday of Lent. 14 After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: 15 “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Most scholars hold that it is significant that Jesus does not enter upon his own distinctive ministry until after John has been arrested. They suggest that the wording of v.14 is such that Jesus is restrained by God from his ministry of proclamation until the Baptist is removed from the scene. His arrest indicates that the time has come for Jesus to act. Jesus enters into Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God. Continue reading
The second reading for today comes from the Prophet Isaiah – a book of complex content and 66 chapters long – yet there is a narrative, meta-narrative if you like, that threads and unifies the whole of the prophetic book. But, today we are privy to only 9 verses, all from Chapter 58.
I think the reason is straightforward why this reading was selected and paired with the gospel reading from Matthew 9. Both address fasting, one of the pillars of Lenten practices and piety. Just two days ago on Ash Wednesday we were reminded: “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites” (Mt 6:16). Today our two readings take on the practice of fasting and ask us to examine our own intentions about following this Lenten practice. Continue reading
This coming Sunday is the 1st Sunday of Lent: He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. A detail recorded only by Mark is that Jesus was with the wild beasts in the wilderness. “Wild beasts” therion occurs only here in all of the gospels. In ancient Greek, therion especially referred to animals that were hunted. It is unique in Mark’s account of the testing. It is a word that refers to any wild animal or beast. It is used in Acts 28:4-5 for the viper who bites Paul. It is used in Revelation to refer to the “beast” who is worshiped rather than God. Continue reading
Hamlet, Act III, Scene I offers us the famous line: “To be or not to be, that is the question…” Moses tells us in today’s first reading from Deuteronomy, that the right question is a lot more important than mere existence. God’s admonition to us is that we are to always choose life. The right question is whether we understand what it means to chose life and will we do it? Continue reading
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