First Reading: 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 Reflection: Saul was the first king of Israel, but he disobeyed God without repenting and, therefore, God chose to replace him with a new king, David. Through the Lord’s guidance, the prophet Samuel… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Jeremiah 17:5-8 Reflection: This Sunday’s readings focus on blessings and woes. There are similarities between this first reading from the Prophet Jeremiah and the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount in the gospel reading. Jeremiah contrasted… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-2A, 3-8 Reflection: Isaiah’s vision recorded in this Sunday’s first reading reveals much about God, Heaven, and us. Isaiah saw the throne room of God in Heaven. There God’s presence was all-consuming. Isaiah witnessed the seraphim, who are… 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 was taken up to heaven… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-4A, 5-6, 8-10 Reflection: This Sunday’s first reading takes place after the period of the Exile in the history of Israel. In 586 B.C. the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the Jewish Temple. Then, they took many Israelites… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Isaiah 62:1-5 Reflection: The Prophet Isaiah speaks in this Sunday’s first reading about a time of restoration for the people of Israel. Ultimately, this restoration would come in the Messianic Age, when the Messiah would reign as king. The… 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 of… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6 Reflection: In this Sunday’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 to… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Micah 5:1-4A Reflection: On the Fourth Sunday of Advent, the anticipation is building for the fast approaching celebration of Christmas. This Sunday’s readings indicate that anticipation. The first reading from the Prophet Micah speaks of the coming of the… Continue Reading →
First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18A Reflection: This Sunday we celebrate “Gaudete Sunday,” the Third Sunday of Advent. The Latin word Gaudete means “Rejoice!” On this Sunday, we take a short hiatus from the mostly somber nature of Advent and rejoice in the nearness of… Continue Reading →
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