The Mass in Focus
As with the big moments of life, Advent requires us to prepare
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” St. Luke uses this quotation from the prophet Isaiah to describe the proclamation of John the Baptist. John’s ministry of preaching a “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins” helps usher in the dawn of salvation and the advent of the Messiah, Jesus. Preparation is an important part of the vigil we keep during the season of Advent as we await the Lord’s return.
Readings for the holy Mass – Second Sunday of Advent
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. Second Sunday of Advent Read Msgr. Joseph Prior’s commentary on the readings for this Sunday’s Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
Mass readings urge: Stay awake for the second coming
Anyone who has traveled the Atlantic City Expressway on the way home from the shore will have noticed three large signs after the first toll booth station. They read “Stay Alert!”, “Stay Awake!” and “Stay Alive!” The words in bold black letters on a yellow reflective background are reminders to those traveling at night. The signs remind drivers to be careful and to be vigilant so that they and others driving on that highly trafficked road may arrive home safely.
Readings for the holy Mass — First Sunday of Advent
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. First Sunday of Advent Read Msgr. Joseph Prior’s commentary on the readings for this Sunday’s Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
Through Christ, the kingdom comes in our hearts
“My kingdom does not belong to this world,” Jesus says as Pontius Pilate is interrogating Him. He later says: “For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Jesus is King and He reigns forever. His proclamation of the truth continues to this day as we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. As Jesus tells Pilate, His kingdom is not of this world. Yet He is a king. His victory on the cross destroys the power of all who would seek to destroy Him for He rose from the dead. The victory of our king is a victory for all who listen to His voice. Through His cross we have been redeemed and saved, we have been given the gift of life eternal.
Readings for the holy Mass – The Solemnity of Christ the King
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. The Solemnity of Christ the King Read Msgr. Joseph Prior’s commentary on the readings for this Sunday’s Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
Delving into the why, not the when, of the ‘end times’
As the liturgical year draws to a close and a new one is about to begin in Advent, the readings for our Sunday Masses point to our preparedness for the end and the second coming of Christ, the parousia. For today’s liturgy the gospel passage from St. Luke and the first reading from the Book of Daniel are both written in the literary genre of apocalyptic.
Readings for the holy Mass – 33rd 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, Nov. 18, 2012 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
In Gospel and in today’s community, spirit of self-giving is strong
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus reminds us of the importance of charitable giving. A contrast is drawn between the hypocrisy of the scribes and the generosity of the poor widow. In the first part of the passage the scribes are described in terms of external symbols of power or prestige: seats of honor, greetings in the marketplace, and long robes. The superficiality of this quest is heightened when the Lord says: “they devour the houses of widows.” Being widowed in the ancient world left a woman and her family in a precarious situation. Without a husband to provide for the family, the widow and her children were at the mercy of other people’s generosity for survival.
Readings for the holy Mass – 32nd 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 See the Mass readings for Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio