First Reading: Sirach 15:15-20 Reflection: Sirach was composed in the early second century B.C. by the sage Ben Sira of Jerusalem. In this passage, he gives advice regarding the importance of God’s commandments. According to Ben Sira and, later, Jesus… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Isaiah 58:7-10 Reflection: In this reading from the Prophet Isaiah, we hear the Lord commanding Israel (and us today) to minister to those who are afflicted. The acts of feeding the hungry, giving shelter to the homeless, clothing… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Malachi 3:1-4 Reflection: This prophesy from the book of Malachi speaks of a “messenger” who will “prepare the way” for the Lord. Later in Malachi this “messenger” is identified as the Prophet Elijah, who had been taken up… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Isaiah 8:23-9:3 Reflection: In about 930 B.C. the kingdom of Israel divided into the Northern Kingdom and the Southern Kingdom due to a dispute. In about 722 B.C., the Assyrians destroyed the Northern Kingdom and deported its people…. Continue Reading →
First Reading: Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Reflection: This passage is the second of four “Servant Songs” from the Prophet Isaiah, speaking of the servant of the Lord (the first one was one of the readings for last Sunday). Here the “servant”… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7 Reflection: This passage is the first of four “Servant Songs” from the Prophet Isaiah, speaking of the servant of the Lord. It is likely that in the original context the “servant” referred to the nation… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Reflection: In this week’s first reading, Isaiah prophesies about a time of glory and splendor for Israel. This great time is represented by the symbol of light, when “the Lord shines.” This light that will come… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14 Reflection: Appropriately for the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, the first reading emphasizes mutual respect of parents for children and children for their parents. In keeping with the fourth commandment… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Isaiah 7:10-14 Reflection: Ahaz was the Davidic king of the southern kingdom of Judah in the eighth century B.C. The exchange given in this passage can be precisely dated to 733 B.C. when Ahaz was in process of… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Isaiah 35:1-6A, 10 Reflection: In this Sunday’s first reading, the Prophet Isaiah uses the symbolism of a “desert,” “parched land,” and “the steppe” (which is a grass-covered plain) as representations of desolation. But these barren places “will bloom… Continue Reading →
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