Articles for Ordinary Time

  Foreword (for each weekday of Ordinary Time): During Ordinary Time, the entrance and communion antiphons of the Sunday liturgy are repeated throughout the week. In this way, the themes developed at the Sunday mass are enriched and expanded as they interact with the different readings found on each day of the following week in…

  In the opening reading from the Book of the Prophet Jeremiah, we hear of the obstinate refusal of the people to listen to Jeremiah’s message (Jer 38:4-6, 8-10). So staunch was their denial that they cast the prophet into a cistern with the intent of leaving him there to die. It is in this…

  The prophet Ezekiel is often cryptic, full of apocalyptic imagery and his own esoteric, symbolic performance art. Today, however, he could be clearer. He lists the crimes of the people – taking part in pagan worship, adultery, theft and swindling, lacking charity for neighbor, playing favorites in disputes, and forsaking God’s law—and he calls…

  Today’s readings are the types that make people squirm in their pews. They are not easy to preach on either. The Church gives a sanitized alternative for the first reading. It reminds me of what an old farmer relative of mine once said: “Those Old Testament folks didn’t mince words!” However, despite the graphic…

  Sometimes the Church’s documents on liturgy, formation of candidates for the priesthood, etc., use legal language. For example, the distinction will be made between ought and must – the former is a preferred suggestion and the latter is an obligation. Today St. Peter asks Jesus a “must” question, and he gets a “must” answer:…

  I want to sow bountifully so as to reap bountifully! Yet we can foolishly think that this is burning the candle at both ends, pouring ourselves out willy-nilly. This is why the average tenure for young youth ministers in parishes is two years. No one could sustain such a hectic schedule with energetic young…

  We know that Christ tells us to become like children, but what does that mean? Our readings today tell us that it requires trust and humility. We always think that following God’s will and proclaiming His teaching entails hardship. Why else are we Catholics so reluctant to speak up about morality or to correct…

  Jesus’ miracles are not just the pyrotechnics of His teaching – they are integral parts of His full revelation of the plan of salvation. Jesus’ miracles, then, are done for others, not Himself, and never for trivial reasons. However, we do come across things like Christ casting out the legion of demons into a…

  There are certain civilizing aspects of life, like marriage and raising children. When you are answerable to and responsible for others, your behavior changes too—less reckless, more consistent and selfless. I know that working in our seminary with impressionable candidates for priesthood looking up to me as a model encourages me to be a…

  “While he was praying, his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white.” This scene at the top of the mountain must have been beyond imagination, and in it, we can see a glimpse of heaven as described in our first reading. Jesus went up the mountain to pray, but Peter and…

  “What profit would there be for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” This question found in today’s gospel is one that we must remind ourselves of daily. We must let go of our earthly desires for worldly gain so that we might not lose our desire for eternal life. We…

  “I will place my law within them, and write it upon their hearts; I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” This is the promise of the new covenant God made for Israel. This law would not be on tablets but written in their hearts and, “no longer will they have…

  In today’s readings, I see a common theme of perseverance in trials and trust in God’s mercy for his people. We hear of God’s promise for Israel, that there will once again be prosperity and joy. It must have taken a great faith to hope in this promise after so much torment. At times,…

  At times, we feel defeated and battered and as if there is no hope. The people of Israel have been in exile and inflicted with wounds and pains that seem incurable, but through this trial that has been received because of their sins, we see, as Israel saw, the mercy of God. When we…

  I am moved in today’s Gospel by both the desire of the crowd to seek out Jesus and the love Jesus shows to the crowds. Jesus went to a deserted place to mourn the death of John the Baptist, but the crowd’s desire for Jesus moved their hearts to seek him out. We have…

  Jesus said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Jesus prefaces the parable of the rich man with this saying in response to the person who asked Jesus to, “Tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.”…

  Today’s gospel is the story of John the Baptist’s death. We know all the characters in the story, and our gospel author tells us what they are all thinking and feeling… except one character, John the Baptist. At no time does the author tell us what’s going through John the Baptist’s head as he…

  There are two gospel options today, I’d like to reflect on the first option, John 11:19-27. This particular passage is a favorite of mine. In fact, when I worked in a parish, I recommended it to families who were preparing for Funeral Masses for their loved ones. In this gospel, we see sadness, anger,…

  Two days ago, it was weeds, today it’s bad fish. What is Jesus trying to tell us? It’s simple: God will have to make a decision about us when we are before him on the last day. Clearly, by our readings, we know that there will be good and bad before him. I think…

  In our spiritual journey, sometimes we move like we are running low on gas. Sometimes we don’t have motivation; sometimes, we get tired of doing the same things. Our gospel today speaks of joy. I read it and immediately pondered, “is my faith joyful?” And if it’s not, why not? I think this is…

  The prophet Jeremiah is in the midst of despair in our first reading. He is witnessing the trial and tribulations of the people. And after witnessing it, does what anyone else would do—asks why. “Why is this happening?” Jeremiah asks why but he knows the answer. It’s because the people are guilty of their…

  Today we celebrate the memory of St. James the Apostle. Any time we celebrate an apostle, we are reminded of the sacrifice made in order to serve and follow Christ. Our readings show this today. In Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he says this about the early Christians: “We are afflicted in every…

  Right after Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray, he goes right into telling a story of a man knocking on the door of a friend’s house late in the evening looking for food. Initially, the friend denies him entrance and food. But Jesus goes on to say that if the man knocking is…

  The man in Jesus’ parable, who takes the time and energy to sow good seed in the field probably had to fight discouragement when the crops grew and he noticed weeds appearing throughout his field. How frustrating it must have been to know that his hard work was contested and sabotaged by an enemy.…

  Jesus drove seven demons out of St. Mary Magdalene, and she became a follower of Jesus. Tradition refers to Mary Magdalene as the “Apostle to the Apostles,” precisely for the scene recounted in the Gospel reading. She encountered Jesus at the tomb, and He commissioned her to announce to the disciples the Resurrection of…

  I like team sports. I have coached the seminary volleyball team each fall semester for many years. I’ve watched videos on the Internet and read up on good drills and volleyball strategies. While all of it is helpful, the most important time spent is practicing with the seminarians, honing their instincts and communication skills…

  “Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it.” Later in this chapter, Jesus goes on to explain that the “thorns” of worldly anxiety and the lure of riches choke the word, and it bears no fruit. Maybe worldly anxiety and riches are not your struggles, but what is? The…

  Jesus’ mother and his brothers arrive. “Brothers” is referring to close relatives, most likely cousins. But, Jesus responds in a way that might initially strike us as harsh. Is Jesus denying or excluding his own family, especially His mother, Mary? But, who did the will of Father better than the Blessed Virgin Mary? Mary…

  In working with seminarians, sometimes they desire simply to know God’s will for their lives. Often it seems a person wants to do God’s will but just doesn’t know what it is. But, in a sense, we know what God’s will is already. Like the Prophet Micah, we could say: “You have been told…

  Often we look at the story of Martha and Mary merely as two opposing approaches to our faith. Mary represents contemplation and spending time with Jesus, while Martha represents activity, service, and works of charity. We don’t choose one or the other, but in reality, both are needed in our faith tradition, because both…

  In today’s Gospel, we hear of the Pharisees plotting to put Jesus to death. Jesus does not want to die yet. He “withdrew” because his hour had not yet come. His mission was not yet complete. He had more teaching to do, more people to heal, and more to accomplish in preparing his disciples…

  St. Bonaventure, whose Memorial we celebrate today, was born in Northern Italy, in 13th Century Europe, during the High Middle Ages. He is a very different person from St. Kateri Tekakwitha, whose Memorial was celebrated yesterday. Yet, both of these holy people have at least one thing in common: their love and devotion to…

  “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Mt 11:28) Today we celebrate the life and witness of a Native American woman, St. Kateri Tekakwitha. A daily reflection cannot do justice to this important young saint of 17th Century North America. Yet, the Mass we offer…

  “Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.” (Mt 11:26) Have you ever stepped back and wondered why things are the way they are? Why is the sky blue? Can I trust my senses that it is blue? Why is there a sky at all? Question chains like these may seem absurd or even…

  “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!” (Mt 11:21a) There is no rosy-cheeked, gentle Jesus today in the Gospel. He means business. And repentance is a serious business. If we don’t change our ways, it will be a tough life for us, to say the least. Jesus compares it to what happened in…

  Today we celebrate the life and legacy of St. Benedict, the spiritual father of Benedictines, and the patron saint of Europe. Two documents have come down to us about this holy man from Italy who lived in the late fifth and early sixth century: (1) his Rule for monks and nuns, which lays down…

  “Which of these three, in your opinion, was neighbor to the robbers’ victim?” (Lk. 10:36) It is not a trick question. It is not a riddle. It is not “up in the sky” or “across the sea.” No, it is simple. Yet, it is hard. It requires going out of our way. Or rather,…

  What is the fear of the Lord? The Scripture says, “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 9:10), and the Church’s tradition calls it one of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit (Catechism of the Catholic Church #1831). Today, though, we have a strong aversion to a God whom we…

  Jesus said, “Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves.” I’m sorry, what? Why would you do that, Lord? “You will be hated by all because of me.” Well, at least you are upfront about it… Nevertheless, for all the throwing-the-lambs-to-the-wolves talk, Christ Jesus does not leave us defenseless. First,…

  The Church gives us a series of readings from the Prophet Hosea. Sometimes the prophets are asked not only to preach oracles but act out messages from God—like Ezekiel cutting a hole in his own house and squeezing through it (cf. Ezek. 12:5-15). Hosea goes to the extreme, marrying a prostitute. This was to…