Third Sunday of Easter, Year B, 1st Reading (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19)

13 The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus. You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go. 14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life, but God raised

The Seven Last Words: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:32-34)

32 Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 33 When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are

Sixth Sunday, Year B, Psalm 32

1 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was

First Sunday of Advent, Year B, 1st Reading (Isaiah 63:16-17, 64:1-7)

You, Lord, are our Father, our Redeemer from of old is your name. 17 Why, Lord, do you make us wander from your ways and harden our hearts so we do not revere you? Return for the sake of your servants, the tribes that are your inheritance. … Oh, that you would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountains would tremble before you!

Feast of St. Frances Cabrini, 13 November (Luke 17:1-6)

Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. 2 It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 So watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins

Jonah’s Anger (Jonah 4:1-4)

But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. 2 He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending

24th Sunday, Year A, Gospel Commentary (Matthew 18:21-35)

21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlement, a

24th Sunday, Year A, Psalm 103 (1-4, 8-12)

1 Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. 2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, 4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion … The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. 9 He will not always

23rd Sunday, Year A, Gospel Commentary (Matthew 18:15-20)

15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to

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