2 Kgs. 4:8-11, 14-16aRom. 6:3-4, 8-11Mt. 10:37-42. The first part of our Gospel actually gives the demands for martyrdom, because to follow Jesus means being ready to give up everything for him, including parents, family and property. Jesus himself gave up his divine status and all he had at the Father’s side to become one…
Read MoreJer. 20:10-13; Rom. 5:12-15; Mt. 10:26-33 In the first reading we see the enemies of Jeremiah plotting against him so they could take vengeance on him. He complained to the Lord, “The word of the Lord has brought me derision and reproach all day. I say to myself, I will not mention him, I will…
Read MoreDt. 8:2-3; 14b-16a; 1 Cor. 10;16-17; Jn. 6:51-58. This year A, Mother Church presents to us very fundamental teachings on the Holy Eucharist. The 1st reading from Deuteronomy shows us the prefiguration of the Eucharist in the manna, which the Israelites in the desert called “bread from heaven.” The 2nd reading from 1 Cor. 10…
Read MoreEx 34:4b-6, 8-9; 2 Cor 13:11-13; Jn 3:16-18. In this year A, the readings of this Sunday clearly suggest that we look at God from the perspective of Love. In the 1st reading, we hear Yahweh declaring to Moses: “The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness…
Read MoreActs 2:1-11; 1 Cor 12:3-7,12-13; Jn 20:19-23 Acts 1:13-14 gives us the location of the eleven apostles gathered with Mary the Mother of Jesus: the “upper room”; and they were engaged “in prayer.” It is also known as “Cenacle” because the Last Supper -“cena”- was held there. Now that Jesus has already ascended and was…
Read MoreActs 1:1-11. Theme: “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” Exegetical observation. Lk 24:51 reports: “he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven.” Acts 1 reports with more details: v.3 “during forty days” Jesus was appearing to his disciples “speaking of the Kingdom of God;” v.9…
Read MoreActs 8:5-8, 14-17; 1 Pt. 3:15-18; Jn 14:15-21 The Gospel today is part of the Last Supper discourse as presented by John. The first to remember for all disciples of Jesus is what was already inculcated in Dt 11:1 “Love the Lord your God, therefore, and always heed his charge, his statutes, decrees and commandments.”…
Read MoreActs 6:1-7; 1 Pt. 2:4-9; Jn. 14:1-12 As we approach the Ascension of the Lord, the Mother Church presents to us the Lord’s own words on the reality of our future after this earthly life. “In my Father’s house there are many mansions… I go to prepare a place for you… Then I will come…
Read MoreActs 2:14. 36-41; 1 Pt. 2:20-25; Jn. 10:1-10. Right in the Book of Genesis, we find Abraham in a pastoral civilization, with herds of camels, oxen and sheep. They were a nomadic people moving with their flocks along rivers where they had grazing ground. Thus the image of a shepherd was most familiar to them.…
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