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Showing posts from November, 2024

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

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The Pharisee and the Tax Collector   Lectionary: 150 Reading 1 -  Sirach 35:12-14, 16-18 [sic] Responsorial Psalm -  Psalm 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23 Reading 2 -  2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18 Alleluia -  2 Corinthians 5:19 Gospel -  Luke 18:9-14 '... for whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.' In today’s Gospel, Jesus presents us with the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. This story is closely connected to the one which comes just before it about the persistent widow who secures a just decision from a dishonest judge. While the first encourages us to pray and never give up. The second reminds us how, and in what manner, we ought to pray. However, to fully understand the example Jesus gives us, we should look more closely at first the century audience that He initially spoke to. A faithful Jew at that time would have assumed two things: That the Pharisee was a very holy and devout man.  And that...
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The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Cycle B)

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The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe Lectionary:  161 Reading 1 -  Dn 7:13-14 Responsorial Psalm -  Ps 93:1, 1-2, 5 Reading 2 -  Rv 1:5-8 Alleluia -  Mk 11:9, 10 Gospel -  Jn 18:33b-37 You say I am a king … Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe … a feast day established in the aftermath of WWI in response to growing atheism, secularism and nationalism, and it provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the nature of kingship, power and what it means to be in authority and charged with protecting the welfare of others. At the same time, we should consider the obligations and responsibilities We have as part of a kingdom. In the first and second reading today, we see the majesty, power and scope of Christ’s authority as King of the Universe. In the Gospel reading … we see how He uses that … and it is not how most people would expect … so today, I would like to focus on that expectation … a...
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Dominican Perpetual Profession

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  My advancement to life professed (perpetual promises) took place at the Regional Meeting as part of the morning Mass at  St. Pius V Catholic Church  with another fellow member of the Saint Martin de Porres fraternity and two from another fraternity making temporary (3 year) promises.  The Rite of Profession is basically the same for each with the principle difference being the length of time the promise to live according to the "Rule of the Laity of Saint Dominic being either three (3) years or for "my whole life."  The Rite begins after the Gospel with the Declaration of Intent ... PRESIDENT: My dear brothers and sister, what do you seek? ALL Candidates: God’s mercy and yours. ALL: Thanks be to God. The candidates returns to their seats, and the Homily is given.  After the Homily we have the Examination and Questioning [of the Candidates] standing together in front of the altar: FR. IGNATIUS: Dearly beloved brothers and sister, you have been consecrated ...
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