STEWARDSHIP WEEKEND AND MISSION SUNDAY
STEWARDSHIP WEEKEND “Repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God” (Mt. 22: 21). As we hear in St. Matthew’s Gospel, when some of the religious leaders try to trap Jesus with a question about whether or not to pay the Roman taxes, Jesus reminds his listeners that everything belongs to God. After all, he is the creator of the universe and gives us all that we have. And so, on this Stewardship Weekend, I invite you to reflect on how we can all be [...]
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (Year C)
Sirach 35:12 - 14, 16 - 18 (in the Catholic Study Bible: 35:15b - 17, 20 - 22a) This Sunday, we will hear from the Book of Sirach. As is usually the case, this passage was clearly chosen to prepare us for the Gospel. Let’s review the “who, what, when, where and to whom” of this book. The Book of Sirach is one of the very last books of the Old Testament. It was written between 195 and 180BC by a man who identifies himself as Jesus, son of Eleazar, [...]
MISSION SUNDAY and STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY
MISSION SUNDAY and STEWARDSHIP SUNDAY “But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” (Lk 18:8). This Sunday’s gospel reading ends with a very disturbing question. We hear our Lord ask it 2,000 years ago and it is still one that we need to answer today. Sadly, so many people – including some of our family members and friends – have abandoned their faith for a wide variety of reasons. We, however, relish our faith and find great strength, encouragement and direction in it. Jesus Christ, [...]
TWENTY-NINTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (Year C)
Exodus 17:8 - 13 This Sunday, we will hear from the Book of Exodus. As you will recall, the Book of Exodus is the second book of the Pentateuch, picking up where Genesis left off. Its title derives from the LXX name given it. You will recall that the LXX refers to the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament, traditionally said to have been translated by 70 or 72 Jewish scholars at the request of Ptolemy II: most scholars believe that only the Pentateuch was completed in the early [...]
TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (Year C)
2 Kings 5:14 - 17 This Sunday, we will hear from the Second Book of Kings. 1 and 2 Kings are among the Historical Books of the Bible. Along with 1 and 2 Samuel, they record the activities of Samuel, Saul, David and Solomon, as well as many of the kings of the divided kingdom after Solomon. Originally, 1 and 2 Samuel formed a single book. The LXX (the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament, traditionally said to have been translated by 70 or 72 Jewish scholars at the [...]
ANNUAL VISIT TO ST. MARTIN DE PORRES PARISH
Next Sunday, you are invited to join in the celebration of the Sunday Mass at our sister parish, St. Martin de Porres. It is always a pleasure to join in their lively celebration and I invite you to join us there! I’ve asked Msgr. Beach to celebrate the Mass since he has not yet been there; he’s looking forward to meeting members of our sister parish! For those of you who not familiar with St. Martin de Porres parish, it is faith-filled, predominantly African American community in North Philadelphia that [...]