We have reached the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday.  Like Gaudete Sunday in Advent, we rejoice this Sunday because Lent is almost over.  The Entrance Antiphon, which we will not hear because we will sing an Entrance Chant, begins with “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her.  Be joyful, all who are mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.”  This short passage from the prophet Isaiah (cf. 66:10-11) sets the stage for today’s celebration.  In both the first reading from the Book of Joshua […]

Exodus 3:1 – 8a, 13 – 15

We are in the middle of Lent, our annual time of retreat.  We are called, once again, to take a look at how our life reflects what we believe in God.  And, as we will see in this Sunday’s readings, as we come to know God, we are called to action.  We also bow down in humility and gratitude before a God who is generous beyond our understanding, always ready to forgive as he continues to call us back to him.

Let’s look at […]

Deuteronomy 26:4 – 10

This past Wednesday, we embarked again on the journey of Lent, a journey toward Easter.  This Sunday, as we begin the season of Lent, we hear Moses recall the various stages of Israel’s journey: Jacob’s migration to Egypt, and the events surrounding the original Passover.  It then concludes with the ritual prescribed to thank God who has blessed the people Israel in their journey as it recalls both God’s care for his people in providing them with food for another year and the Passover.  It is from […]

1 Samuel 26:2, 7 – 9, 12 – 13, 22 – 23

We hear from the First Book of Samuel this Sunday.  It is one of the Historical Books.  We haven’t heard from it for a long time, so let’s review it a little.  It is the first of the Historical Books, which present the history of Israel from the time of Samuel to the Maccabees, from approximately 1000 to 100BC.  Of course, it is important to remember that histories in those days did not serve the same purpose as our […]

Isaiah 62: 1 – 5

As we return to ordinary time, that is, time ordered according to God’s plan for his Kingdom, we hear from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.  Since it is from chapter 62, we know that it is from Trito-Isaiah, and concerns the post-exilic time for Israel.  This part of Isaiah has, as its primary purpose, the encouragement of the anawim as they return to rebuild Jerusalem.  Our first reading contains just such a passage of hope for God’s people at one of the lowest moments of […]

(Opening prayer:  Jn 1:29 – 34)

Isaiah 40:1 – 5, 9 – 11

We hear again from the prophet Isaiah this Sunday, from the beginning of the portion of this book that most scripture scholars identify as part of Deutero-Isaiah (chapter 40 – 55).  As you will read in your footnotes, these chapters – 40 – 55 – are usually designated Second Isaiah (or Deutero-Isaiah) and are believed to have been written by an anonymous prophet toward the end of the Babylonian exile.  There are several significant difference between the first 39 […]

Micah 5:1 – 4a

This Sunday, we will hear from the Book of the Prophet Micah.   Like Baruch and Zephaniah of the last two weeks, we don’t hear from Micah very often – in fact, we only hear from him once in the three year Sunday liturgical cycle and five times in the weekday cycle – so let’s review what we know about and his book.  Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, as you will see from your Bible Timeline.  Unlike Isaiah, however, he was not native to Jerusalem – according […]

Isaiah 61:1 – 2a, 10 – 11

The Third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday because, in both the first and second readings, we are called to rejoice; the Lord is near!  As we quickly approach Christmas, we wait in eager anticipation of the coming of the Lord.  Let’s keep that in mind as we reflect on this Sunday’s readings.

This Sunday, we will hear again from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.  The section we will hear is from the 61^st chapter, so we know that it is from […]

Baruch 5:1 – 9

This Sunday, we will hear from the Book of Baruch.  The name is interesting; as you all know, it is derived from the Hebrew – בָּרוּךְ‎ – which means “Blessing.”  We don’t hear often from Baruch; in fact, this is the only time we hear from him on Sunday in the entire three-year cycle.  It is one of the many options at the Easter Vigil, but is seldom selected because others are more appropriate.  So, let’s review what we know about him and his book. 

The opening […]