Category Ordinary Time

First Reading: Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 Reflection: The Book of Wisdom was written around 50 B.C. and was likely the latest written book of the Old Testament, evidencing a context close to that of the time of Christ and the writing… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Ezekiel 17:22-24 Reflection: Ezekiel was a prophet during the period of the Exile in Israel’s history. Around 600 B.C. the Israelites were conquered by the Babylonians. Many of the Israelites, including Ezekiel, were taken to Babylon for exile,… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46 Reflection: In this Sunday’s first reading we hear the Mosaic law being given regarding lepers. Those who had a skin disease were to be ostracized from the society. They were declared “unclean” and made to live… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Job 7:1-4, 6-7 Reflection: This lament of Job’s seems hopeless. It is an extremely downtrodden look at life. If we know the story of Job, we may understand why he had such a sour outlook on life. He had… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Deuteronomy 18:15-20 Reflection: In this passage Moses speaks the words of the Lord to the Israelite people. God is making the Israelites a distinct people, calling them to follow Him and live according to His laws. During this… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Jonah 3:1-5, 10 Reflection: Most of us know the story of Jonah, who was at first reluctant to follow God’s command to go to Ninevah. The Ninevites were enemies of the Israelites, so naturally Jonah would not want… Continue Reading →

First Reading: 1 Samuel 3:3b-10, 19 Reflection: Samuel was dedicated to service of the Lord in the Temple at the beginning of his life by his mother, Hannah, in thanksgiving for the miracle that allowed her, a barren woman, to… Continue Reading →