SOLEMNITY OF THE HOLY FAMILY OF JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH
As you may recall, I was the chancellor of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem before I was assigned here in 2011. In that previous position, I had the privilege of working with this international Catholic organization that supports the Christians living in the Holy Land, most particularly in the West Bank and Gaza. We would raise approximately $10 million annually to support parishes, schools, orphanages and hospitals operating in the West Bank and Gaza. This support was essential for the Christians who are trapped there due [...]
ADVENT ENDS AND CHRISTMAS BEGINS
It’s not very often that we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Advent one day and Christmas the next. The last time this occurred was six years ago in 2017 and it won’t happen again until 2028. As I have heard from so many, it seems that Christmas has come much sooner, even though it’s on the 25th of December, as it is every year. As we end the Advent Season and jump right into Christmas, allow me to reflect on the significance this time has for all of us. Last [...]
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Year B)
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 GOSPEL OF MARK
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; he will prepare your way.” (Mark 1:1-2) As we enter into this new liturgical year, we hear again today from the Gospel of Mark. As I mentioned in last week’s article, we will be hearing almost all of Mark’s Gospel over the course of this year since it is year B in the liturgical calendar. As we begin to hear from [...]
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT Year B
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 [...]
THE SEASON OF ADVENT
Jesus said to his disciples: “Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. …Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at the cockcrow, or in the morning. May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” (Mk 13:33, 36-37). With these words, our Lord calls us to prepare us for his coming; he comes to bring us to God’s kingdom. [...]