This Sunday, we will celebrate the Solemnity of the Epiphany. The word “epiphany” literally means “revelation” or “manifestation.” It calls to mind the image of a curtain being yanked aside, unveiling a work of art to the public for the very first time. Or, it is like the world premiere of a highly anticipated film like “The Hobbit.”
Archive for Category: "Sunday Scriptures"
Divine joy through Christmas greetings
There are a number of ways in which we convey our joy at Jesus’ coming into the world.
Jesus’ presence allows us to ‘rejoice always’
Blessed Miguel Pro’s biographers say that even from a young age he was always joyful. As a youngster he played practical jokes on his sisters, wrote silly songs and played them on his guitar, and later he humored his brothers in the Society of Jesus with comics.
‘Prepare the way of the Lord’ with prayer
In this week’s Gospel, we get a glimpse of Luke’s literary purpose of tying the inauguration of John the Baptist’s ministry to the wider world culture.
Bridging the gap between the sacred texts, secular press
My fellow deacons and I recently had the opportunity to enjoy a dinner with Archbishop Emeritus Harry Flynn. After a wonderful dinner, as we sat around enjoying each other’s company, one of my classmates asked the archbishop: “Archbishop, do you have any advice to offer us as preachers in the Church?”
Widows’ generosity, gratitude set example for all to follow
Generosity inspires gratitude, and gratitude inspires generosity. In our lives, the Lord is generous to us, and even increases our ability to give.
Blind beggar gains more than sight
Have you heard some Gospel passages so many times that you are tempted to wonder if there is anything that can bring them to life again?
What’s holding you back from following Jesus today?
Our human way of thinking is not God’s way of thinking. Take our Gospel reading for Sunday: A young man approaches Jesus and asks him, “What must I do to inherit eternal life.”
Working to reach our true potential as Catholics
We spend a lot of time thinking and talking about the future. We look at our gifts and abilities, reflect on our experiences and try to think what is truly possible. In other words, we look at the present in order to understand what the future may hold — what our true potential may be.
Who do you say Jesus is?
“Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ They said in reply, ‘John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others one of the prophets.’ And he asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’”
We must be ‘doers of the word,’ even at difficult times
Near the beginning of “Render Unto Caesar,” Archbishop Charles Chaput makes a claim that has remained strong in my mind in the years since I read it — a claim we hear echoed in the current teaching from the bishops of the United States, including our own faithful shepherd.
Church can teach us about the art of ‘wise hospitality’
This Sunday’s first reading about Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs (9:1-6) opens our ears and minds to the meaning of Sunday’s Gospel.
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