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What follows is the cover article of this week’s bulletin. Some of the details apply only here at Immaculate Conception but I think the ideas as something for all of us to think about for Lent. Making a Good Lent…
Read More8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 49:14-15 1 Corinthians 4:1-5 Matthew 6:24-34 March 2, 2014 The Israelites had been in exile in Babylon. While in exile, many felt that the Lord had forgotten them. What is the Lord’s…
Read More6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Sirach 15:15-20 1 Corinthians 2:6-10 Matthew 5:17-37 February 16, 2014 Jesus told his disciples that he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it. It might have been nice if…
Read More5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 58-10 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Matthew 5:13-16 February 9, 2014 Jesus says to us as his disciples “You are the salt of the earth.” Of course, the question becomes in what way are…
Read MorePresentation of the Lord Malachi 3:1-4 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-40 February 2, 2014 Normally we would be celebrating the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time today but instead we are celebrating the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. There are…
Read More3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 8:23-9:3 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Matthew 4:12-23 January 26, 2014 Why did Jesus come into our human world? Why would Jesus who is consubstantial with the Father be willing to give up…
Read MoreTwo recent things have led me to think about our Catholic belief in the Eucharist. First, this Sunday’s gospel contains John the Baptist’s testimony of Jesus as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (see…
Read More2nd Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34 January 19, 2014 Here comes Jesus! One might have expected that as soon as John saw Jesus he might run to Jesus with great…
Read MoreBaptism of the Lord, Year A Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Acts 10:34-38 Matthew 3:13-17 January 12, 2014 Isaiah speaks of the “suffering servant” chosen by the Lord to receive his spirit and who pleases the Lord. People ask who this “suffering…
Read MoreEpiphany, Year A Isaiah 60:1-6 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 January 5, 2014 The magi see a star and knew it signified the birth of a newborn king and not just any king but a newborn king of the Jews.…
Read MoreYesterday (Friday, January 3, 2014), Bishop Salvatore Matano was installed as the ninth bishop of our diocese. This brings to an end the vacancy in Rochester that lasted almost sixteen months beginning in September 2012 when Bishop Clark’s retirement was…
Read MoreMary, Mother of God, Year A Numbers 6:22-27 Galatians 4:4-7 Luke 2:16-21 January 1, 2014 God is instructing Moses to have Aaron and his sons, who serve as the priests, to offer a special blessing for the people. They are…
Read MoreHoly Family, Year A Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Colossians 3:12-21 Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 December 29, 2013 “Bearing with one another and forgiving one another.” These are words that Paul writes to the Colossians. Who do you think of as you hear…
Read MoreChristmas 2013, Year A Isaiah 9:1-6 Titus 2:11-14 Luke 2:1-14 December 25, 2013 This summer a prince in line to the throne of England was born. As a king-to-be, he was born in a private suite in the hospital. There…
Read More4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 7:10-14 Romans 1:1-7 Matthew 1:18-24 December 22, 2013 God offers King Ahaz a sign! If God offered you a sign what would you ask for? Would you ask for something simple or…
Read More3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10 James 5:7-10 Matthew 11:2-11 December 15, 2013 “Are you the one?” John the Baptist is in jail for preparing the Way of the Lord and has heard of Jesus. He…
Read More2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 11:1-10 Romans 15:4-9 Matthew 3:1-12 December 8, 2013 Every time we celebrate Mass we listen to words from the Bible. Why? Paul offers us an explanation when he writes to the Romans,…
Read MoreCheck out my latest presentation “Attitude of Gratitude” at https://renewaloffaith.org/basics/gratitude.htm. Peace, Fr. Jeff
Read More1st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A Isaiah 2:1-5 Romans 13:11-14 Matthew 24:37-44 December 1, 2013 Even before Thanksgiving Christmas items were appearing in the stores. I saw a Santa in a mall two weeks before Thanksgiving. Radio stations are…
Read MoreToday is Thanksgiving. It’s a national holiday but it is also an appropriate day to celebrate in the church. We are a people of thanksgiving. The word Eucharist actually comes from a Greek word that means thanksgiving. Every time we…
Read MoreChrist the King, Year C 2 Samuel 5:1-3 Colossians 1:12-20 Luke 23:35-43 November 24, 2013 The Israelites realize it is time to make David their king. God had already anointed David as king but the Israelites are just coming to…
Read More33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C Malachi 3:19-20a 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19 November 17, 2013 Next week we will celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King and then the weekend after that we will begin Advent. Advent…
Read More32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14 2 Thessalonians 2:16-3:5 Luke 20:27-38 November 10, 2013 The Resurrection is a central mystery of our faith. The Resurrection is essential to who we are as Christians. At…
Read MoreYesterday I read a news story on the NBC news website about Pope Francis announcing that the Vatican will survey the church before next year’s synod on the family. As the story says, it is “fascinating” that this will…
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