Pope Francis has declared that this Sunday, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, be observed as “Sunday of the Word of God” to highlight the importance of the Bible in our prayer and worship as Catholics. It is so appropriate to focus on the importance of Sacred Scripture on this Sunday which comes on the heels of the celebration of the Birth of Jesus who is, as St. John the Evangelist reminds us, “the Word [who] became flesh and dwelt among us,” (Jn. 1:14). With the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, inclusion of Sacred Scripture in our celebration of Mass was greatly expanded. Click the title to read more.

This weekend, our second reading features St. Paul’s poetic rendition of how the Holy Spirit gifts the Church with a diversity of talents, unique to each individual but given for the benefit of the whole community. This list of gifts leads up to St. Paul’s famous passage about love which is often chosen as one of the readings at weddings: “Love is patient, love is kind,…” (1 Cor. 13). Click the title to read more.

This weekend (Jan 9), the Church celebrates the Baptism of the Lord. In our Christian tradition, Jesus’ baptism marks the beginning of his public ministry and is one of three “epiphanies” of Jesus. And we can relate it to our own baptism. Click for the full message.

Most people at this time of year are counting down to Christmas – the number of shopping days that remain. In the Church this time of year we are just starting up – beginning a new liturgical year of grace with the arrival of Advent. It is so easy for us to get wrapped up in the frenetic pace of Christmas preparations, sending Christmas cards, decorating hearth and home, gift shopping, Christmas parties and planning holiday menus. As necessary and worthwhile as all these things are, the Church invites us to take some time to step back and contemplate the meaning of the coming of our Savior into the world, so we may more fully appreciate and celebrate his coming on Christmas. Carving out some quiet space to reflect more deeply upon this mystery we call the “Incarnation” – God taking on human flesh in the person of Jesus – is so critical during the hustle and bustle of December. I would encourage us all to be sure we save a little space this Advent season for more focused prayer and reflection in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s coming. Click the title to read more.