FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT – YEAR A JESUS, THE GOD WITH US Download version Introduction The son of the Virgin Mary has a double-barreled name, one used by his contemporaries—Jesus, the one who frees from sin—and one given to him by the evangelist Matthew: Emmanuel, God with us. A brilliant dialectical author of the fourth century, […]
THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT – YEAR A THE BAPTISTINVITED TO BE CONVERTED Download version Introduction “There was a man sent from God, whose name was John“ (Jn 1:6). He was destined to prepare Israel for the coming of the Messiah. He proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand“ (Mt 3:2). His message
SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT – YEAR A SHE WILL FLOURISH LIKE THE PALM TREE ANDWILL GROW LIKE A LEBANON CEDAR Download version Introduction Israel was a tree that the Lord had germinated from a seed and then cultivated. Later the enemy came, armed with a lumberjack’s ax. The tree was smashed with merciless blows and reduced
FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT – Year A A JUDGMENT THAT SAVES Download version Introduction “Fear the judgment of God!” Some preachers still use threats to dissuade us from evil, but this tactic is becoming increasingly ineffective. The image of God as a judge is present throughout the Gospel, particularly in Matthew, where it appears on nearly
THIRTY-FOURTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR C OUR LORD, THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE,HAS FOR HIS THRONE A CROSS Download version Introduction When Emperor Tiberius rules Rome, John the Baptist appears along the Jordan River. Hiswords spark excitement, awaken expectations, and raise hopes. The political and religious authorities are concerned because they view his
THIRTY-THIRD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR C COURAGE, RAISE YOUR HEADS! Download version Introduction In times of political upheavals, wars, famine and pestilence follow suit. The situationof misery becomes intolerable. Rumors spread quickly about the end of the world. To give credit to their ranting, the followers of the fundamentalist sects refer to some biblical texts. The
DEDICATION OF THE LATERAN BASILICA NOVEMBER 9 Download version Introduction The Basilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of the Pope as Bishop of Rome. It was built by Constantine and was for centuries the habitual residence of the Popes.Although he lives in the Vatican, the Pope annually presides on Holy Thursday the Eucharist
FAITHFUL DEPARTED November 2 TEACH US, O LORD, TO COUNT OUR DAYS Download version Introduction We leave the maternal womb and enter this world; after childhood, we enter adolescence; we leave adolescence for youth; youth to mature age and old age. Finally, the time comes to leave this world to which we have grown fond of,
THE FEAST OF ALL SAINTS November 1 Download version Introduction The Saints have enjoyed tremendous popularity in the past: the churches were full of their statues, and recourse to them was perhaps more than to God. There was a saint for truck drivers, students, lost items, eye diseases, and even sore throat. They were considered
THIRTIETH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – YEAR C THE NEWBORN – A CHRISTIAN MODEL Download version Introduction One day, some mothers present their kids to Jesus so that he may take them in his arms and caress them (Mk 10:13). The disciples, who judge this excessive familiarity as an inconvenience, drive them away with rebukes. Jesus reacts: “the
