THE BAPTISM OF THE LORD Year A
Welcome to my annotated commentary on Sunday’s readings. The purpose of my commentary is to give you the background for each reading, a little better understanding of its message and the message that all of the Sunday readings together provide us. I hope you find it helpful! Isaiah 42:1 – 4, 6 – 7 We hear again from the prophet Isaiah this Sunday, from one of the sections that most scripture scholars identify as part of Deutero-Isaiah. Specifically, it is the first of four of the Isaian Servant Songs [...]
NEW YEARS THANKS
I hope you all had a good New Year. As we prepared for our first Parish Finance Council meeting of the New Year, my staff and I discovered some very telling and encouraging data that I want to share with all of you. Despite the challenges that all of you have faced as we continue to navigate this coronavirus pandemic, your financial support of your parish has been unflagging. Even though only about half of those who ordinarily attend Sunday Mass are coming – and I certainly appreciate and understand [...]
Solemnity of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph
“And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. …And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:15ff). As we continue our celebration of the Christmas Octave with the celebration of The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, my heart is filled with thanks and joy as I once again celebrate Christmas with you here at St. Katharine of Siena Parish! This is my tenth year to celebrate [...]
FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Year B)
Welcome to my annotated commentary on Sunday’s readings. The purpose of my commentary is to give you the background for each reading, a little better understanding of its message and the message that all of the Sunday readings together provide us. I hope you find it helpful! 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8b-12, 14a, 16 This Sunday, we will hear from the Second Book of Samuel. You will recall that this is one of the Historical Books of the Bible. Along with 1 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings, it records the [...]
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Year B)
Welcome to my annotated commentary on Sunday’s readings. The purpose of my commentary is to give you the background for each reading, a little better understanding of its message and the message that all of the Sunday readings together provide us. I hope you find it helpful! Isaiah 61:1 - 2a, 10 - 11 The Third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday because, in both the first and second readings, we are called to rejoice; the Lord is near! As we quickly approach Christmas, we wait in [...]
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT (Year B)
Isaiah 40:1 – 5, 9 – 11 This Sunday, we will again hear from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah. According to Leslie F. Hoppe, OFM, a contemporary scripture scholar, this book is, by any measure, among the greatest works of religious literature because it probes the mystery of a people’s life with God. All of the Bible does that for us if only we allow it to read us, but the Prophet Isaiah does it so well. The section we will hear is from the 40th chapter, so we [...]