Isaiah 40:1 – 5, 9 – 11

The first reading and Gospel passage this Sunday speak of St. John the Baptist, the last prophet of the Old Testament who would prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. Unlike last week’s readings, which focused on the coming of the Lord at the end of time, this week’s first reading and gospel focus on his first coming – and the preparation for his coming through John the Baptist’s prophetic proclamations. 

For our first reading this Sunday, we will again hear from the […]

Isaiah 63: 16b – 17, 19b, 64:2 – 7

We begin Year B in the Sunday Liturgical Calendar this Sunday.  The Gospel featured this year is Mark; the oldest Gospel and the shortest.  And, as we do in year A, we will hear for the next three weeks from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.  This Sunday, it is from the chapters that are often called Trito-Isaiah (56 – 66) and most scripture scholars assign to the time after the people have been allowed to return to Jerusalem.  But, as […]