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Showing posts from March, 2025

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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Fourth Sunday of Lent (Cycle C) - "Laetare Sunday"

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The Prodigal Son Lectionary: 33 Reading 1 -  Joshua 5:9a, 10-12 Responsorial Psalm -  Psalm 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7 Reading 2 -  2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Alleluia -  Luke 15:18 Gospel -  Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Today is “Laetare Sunday” … getting its name from the beginning of the tradition Latin Mass of the day, where we hear "Laetare Jerusalem" ("Rejoice, O Jerusalem”) from Isaiah 66:10.  We have a similar Sunday during Advent where the priests, and deacons, wear rose … or pink colored vestments, but have slightly different meanings.  In Advent, the joy we celebrate is more about what is inside of us, while during Lent, the joy we celebrate is something that is reflected outside of us … it is something that we give away so that others may experience joy with us.  In other words, we throw a party. Today’s readings all talk about the reasons we have to celebrate.  In our first reading, God has brought is people out of the Wilderness to the Promised Land. ...
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Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle C)

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The Sermon on the Plain Lectionary: 84 Reading 1 -  Sirach 27:4-7 Responsorial Psalm -  Psalm 92:2-3, 13-14, 15-16 Reading 2 -  1 Corinthians 15:54-58 Alleluia -  Philippians 2:15d, 16a Gospel -  Luke 6:39-45 The Gospel of today is a continuation of the “Sermon on the Plain” that we first heard two (2) Sunday’s ago with the Beatitudes (Chapter 6 of Luke).  Last Sunday, Jesus exhorted us to show mercy and love, to pardon instead of judging and condemning.  Today’s gospel passage continues in the same vein, with practical guidance  on how to behave as disciples of Jesus and a warning against three (3) related dangers.  First, he warns us against looking to others to find faults while ignoring our own faults or lack of introspection.  Second, he warns us about the danger of hypocrisy.  Third, he warns us against harness in judgement.  In today’s scripture, these lessons are synergistic and mutually reinforcing. It is often easier ...
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