Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica (9 November) Gospel Commentary (John 2:13-22)

13 When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money

An Evil Time (Amos 5:10-17)

10 There are those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth. 11 You levy a straw tax on the poor and impose a tax on their grain. Therefore, though you have built stone mansions, you will not live in them; though you have planted lush vineyards, you

Wealth (Hosea 12:7-14)

7 The merchant uses dishonest scales and loves to defraud. 8 Ephraim boasts,  “I am very rich; I have become wealthy. With all my wealth they will not find in me any iniquity or sin.” 9 “I have been the Lord your God ever since you came out of Egypt; I will make you live in tents again, as in the

Major Themes of the Minor Prophets

The twelve books of the minor prophets were written at different times and by very different people but they do have some common themes. Fundamentally, the prophets speak about God’s relationship with his chosen people, who constantly disappoint him. They do terrible things, he gets angry and punishes them, they repent and then the whole

26th Sunday, Year C, Gospel Commentary (Luke 16:19-31)

19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 “The time came when the beggar died and the

26th Sunday, Year C, 1st Reading (Amos 6:1, 4-7)

Woe to you who are complacent in Zion … 4 You lie on beds adorned with ivory and lounge on your couches. You dine on choice lambs and fattened calves. 5 You strum away on your harps like David and improvise on musical instruments. 6 You drink wine by the bowlful and use the finest lotions, but you do not grieve over the

25th Sunday, Year C, 1st Reading (Amos 8:4-7)

4 Hear this, you who trample the needy and do away with the poor of the land, 5 saying, “When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain, and the Sabbath be ended that we may market wheat?”—skimping on the measure, boosting the price and cheating with dishonest scales, 6 buying the poor with silver and the needy for a

26th Sunday, Ordinary Time, Year B, 2nd Reading (James 5:1-6)

Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the