God will do what he has promised. The theological virtue of faith. Recognizing God in the ordinary. Read more »
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Work is the source of a decent life or even riches, although neither is the basis of happiness: That belongs to God. Next Sunday’s readings focus on the futility of working apart from God’s will. The Lectionary 114 readings for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, are here. To prepare […] Read more »
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Knowing, loving, and serving God is like going on a diet and exercise plan. But it is not for two months to lose thirty pounds and to gain a flat stomach. Rather, it is a plan for life to lose all our vices and to gain the mental outlook and […] Read more »
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Contemplative-active lives
Our Lord was ever the master teacher. He was not merely the teacher of his universal doctrine of salvation. He was also the teacher of individual souls who needed formation. One way he taught persons what they needed to know was by responding to them with something completely unexpected but […] Read more »
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
God wants us to become the sort of persons who are ready for eternal life and happiness with Him, and the angels, and all the saved in heaven. Human freedom is essential for us to become that sort of person—how we respond to everything and what we do. We become […] Read more »
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
The readings for the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Lectionary 102) can be found here. The Gospel reading recounts Jesus sending out seventy-two disciples to prepare the towns and places he intends to visit. The seventy-two had only a very limited amount of time to do their work. I think this […] Read more »
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
To view Lectionary 99, click here. The Homiletic Directory suggests the following Catechism points and themes for the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: CCC 587: Jesus’ ascent to Jerusalem for his death and Resurrection CCC 2052-2055: Master, what must I do…? CCC 1036, 1816: the urgency of discipleship It is always […] Read more »
Corpus Christi
The Lectionary readings for the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (169) can be found here. For an updated and revised outline with the following themes, click here. Central idea: Christ is the eternal high priest who offers us what he offered to the Father, himself. Doctrine: The Eucharist. Practical application: Eucharistic Adoration […] Read more »
Trinity Sunday
Next Sunday is the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, commemorating the central truth not just of our Catholic faith but of all reality. The Lectionary readings 166 are here. For a fully revised and updated Doctrinal Homily Outline with the following themes, click here: Central idea: The Most Holy Trinity. Doctrine: […] Read more »
Pentecost
Pentecost is the event “where God the Father ‘through his Word, pours into our hearts the Gift that contains all gifts, the Holy Spirit’” (CCC 1082, HD 56). St. Thomas Aquinas teaches that “Gift” is a proper name of the person of the Holy Spirit, who proceeds from the Father […] Read more »
The Ascension or Seventh Sunday of Easter
Christ is in heaven, seated at the right hand of the Father, interceding for us. He is the way: he is both our destination and the road by which we travel. We who are on the earth-side of this way can say to him, “I’ll do my part,” and do it. I’ll […] Read more »
Sixth Sunday of Easter
The readings for Lectionary 57 are here. The Homiletic Directory offers the following Catechism points and themes for the Sixth Sunday of Easter: CCC 2746-2751: Christ’s prayer at the Last Supper CCC 243, 388, 692, 729, 1433, 1848: the Holy Spirit as Advocate/Consoler CCC 1965-1974: the New Law fulfills the Old […] Read more »
Fifth Sunday of Easter
The Gospel reading from St. John for the Fifth Sunday of Easter is short but profound. It is Christ’s New Commandment. I give you a new commandment: love one another.As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.This is how all will know that you are my […] Read more »
Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Lectionary 51 readings are some of the most consoling we encounter in Sacred Scripture. Christ and the Father are one. We belong to them. God will wipe every tear from our eyes. Each of the two outlines from the archives focuses on the central idea that Christ is the […] Read more »
Third Sunday of Easter
The Lectionary 48 readings for the Third Sunday of Easter are here. The Gospel reading is from John: Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearance to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberius. From the archives, here is a full updated outline with the following foci: Central Idea: Christ is our King, but Peter and the Apostles […] Read more »