The Mass in Focus
Readings for the holy Mass – 31st 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 See the Mass readings for Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
Gospel story shows Jesus seeks to hear us, and heal us
Bartimaeus crys out: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” The moving story of Bartimaeus calls to mind several aspects of our faith and our relationship with Jesus. The story begins with Jesus leaving Jericho with a large number of people. St. Mark tells us that as they went along the way there was a blind man named Bartimaeus sitting by the road side begging. When he hears that Jesus of Nazareth is passing by Bartimaeus cries out, “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.” While many rebuked him, telling him to be silent, he cried out all the more: “Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me.”
Readings for the holy Mass – 30th 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, Oct. 28, 2012 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
Can we drink of Jesus’ cup, and give our lives in service?
“Can you drink of the cup from which I drink?” James and John in Sunday’s Gospel passage ask Jesus, “We want you to do for us whatever we ask.” Such a question is familiar in children’s stories and fairy tales. For example, in the Arabian Nights, the genie in the bottle newly freed will give the liberator anything he wants. In a certain sense, the question shows a naiveté on the part of the disciples; an immaturity in their faith that will be challenged to grow as they journey with Jesus to Jerusalem.
Readings for the holy Mass- 29th 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, Oct. 21, 2012 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
What things of the heart must we ‘go and sell,’ to follow Jesus?
King Solomon’s reign over Israel was known as a “golden age.” One of the characteristics of Solomon that was remembered, in the life of Israel and Judah, was his wisdom. We can recall the story in 1 Kings where the Lord offers to Solomon anything for which he would ask. Solomon replies, “Give your servant, therefore, a listening heart to judge your people and to distinguish between good and evil” (1 Kings 3:9). Such is the foundation of wisdom.
Readings for the holy Mass- 28th 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. 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read Msgr. Joseph Prior’s commentary on the readings for this Sunday’s Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
Jesus’ teaching on marriage remains a lesson for our times
“That is why a man leaves his father and mother and clings to his wife, and the two of them become one flesh,” says Jesus quoting Genesis. Jesus speaks of the indissolubility of marriage in today’s Gospel reading. He notes that Moses permitted divorce because of “hardness of heart.” Here Jesus refers to a certain obstinacy; one that he himself faced many times from the Pharisees. They refuse to listen to him, having their minds already made up before he even engages them. They become blinded by their own viewpoints and dispositions. In his teaching on divorce Jesus refers back to the original plan for marriage from the time of creation.
Readings for the holy Mass — 27th 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. 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time Read Msgr. Joseph Prior’s commentary on the readings for this Sunday’s Mass. See the Mass readings for Sunday, Oct. 7, 2012 See the readings for today’s Mass Listen to the daily readings in audio
Seeking the ‘good life’ with Christ, and His help to avoid temptation
The manager of a small grocery store peered out the window and saw a teenager staring at the tempting display of fruits on a cart situated in front of the store. The manager was concerned and went out to the boy. “Are you trying to steal my fruit young man?” “No sir,” replied the boy, “I’m trying not to.” Temptation comes in all different shapes and sizes. The attraction for or lure of something that is not ours or to do something that we should not do can characterize temptation. Temptation is part of life. Archbishop Fulton Sheen captured it this way: “You are not tempted because you are evil; you are tempted because you are human.”