The Mass in Focus
God of the Living shows us death is not the end
The readings for this Sunday’s Mass point out that God does not create us for death but for life. He does not abandon us but remains with us in his Spirit. He does not leave us to despair but affords us hope.
Readings for the holy Mass – Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition. 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Read Msgr. Joseph Prior’s commentary on the readings for this Sunday’s Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, November 10, 2013 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
Disciples are called to seek out the ones who don’t fit in
Have you ever been lost? Msgr. Joseph Prior has, and he writes in his reflection on the Sunday readings for Mass just how good it feels when someone reaches out to help. We are called to imitate Jesus just as he reached out to people rejected by their communities, like a certain small-of-stature tax collector.
Readings for the holy Mass – Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition. 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Read Msgr. Joseph Prior’s commentary on the readings for this Sunday’s Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, November 3, 2013 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
Scripture shows why ‘poor in spirit’ is good goal
Msgr. Joseph Prior reflects on the first beatitude, even though Sunday’s readings at Mass do not mention it, and how spiritual poverty can lead to total dependence on God.
Readings for the holy Mass – Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition. 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read Msgr. Joseph Prior’s commentary on the readings for this Sunday’s Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, October 27, 2013 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
The power of persistent prayer to the ever-present God
God loves us, and the readings for this Sunday’s Mass remind us that he is always attentive to our needs, drawing us close to himself. Msgr. Joseph Prior reflects that this is the reason we may cry out with confidence as did the psalmist: “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”
Readings for the holy Mass — The twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Read or listen to the readings before Mass with the resources below from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, using the New American Bible, Revised Edition. 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read Msgr. Joseph Prior’s commentary on the readings for this Sunday’s Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, October 20, 2013 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
Jesus heals the pains that lie deep in the human heart
(28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 13) “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” cry the lepers as Jesus passes by them on the way into the village. The plea for mercy and compassion comes from outcasts. The lepers were alone. As Jesus passes by “at a distance,” they make their plea. Jesus hears their cry and his compassion pours forth in healing. The mercy of Jesus heals them and restores them to life in the community. The love of Jesus for those in need is great. This was true of the 10 lepers, and it is true today. Jesus heals. Anyone who comes to Him for mercy will find a compassionate heart ready to heal the wounds, to restore them to the community and to offer them newness of life.
‘Increase our faith:’ Both a prayer of faith and a request for more
Faith is our response in trust and obedience to the Father, writes Msgr. Joseph Prior as he reflects on this Sunday’s readings for Mass. Jesus is our model of faith in His Father. The faith we have is the same faith as Jesus, who endured much suffering even to the point of death but remained steadfast in His faith. There is always room for faith to grow in us for it can never be exhausted.