Category Ordinary Time

First Reading: Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14 Reflection: The book of Revelation uses symbolic imagery to paint a picture of heaven. It is, in fact, the record of the Apostle John’s vision of heaven. While the symbolic imagery used can sound very… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Exodus 22:20-26 Reflection: These words of the Lord, recorded in Exodus, can seem harsh, but there is a purpose to the strong language used here. God is making clear how seriously he takes the way we treat our… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 Reflection: This Sunday’s readings teach us about the relationship between God and earthly rulers, like King Cyrus in this first reading. Cyrus was the king of Persia, the world super power at that time. During… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Isaiah 25:6-10a Reflection: This Sunday’s first reading and the gospel reading speak of a great feast or banquet. The imagery of a banquet is often used in Scripture to refer to God’s kingdom, that is, heaven. Here, the… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Isaiah 5:1-7 Reflection: The story in this first reading foreshadows the parable Jesus shares in this Sunday’s Gospel reading. Here God is speaking and illustrating the situation of His people, the Israelites. God had prepared a promised land… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Ezekiel 18:25-28 Reflection: You might imagine in this reading the Israelites’ complaint sounding like when a child complains to his or her parents, “That’s not fair!” In this case, the Israelites had the audacity to accuse God of… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Isaiah 55:6-9 Reflection: This Sunday’s first reading from the Prophet Isaiah is a call to repentance while the opportunity still presents itself. God is “generous in forgiving.” He is merciful and will even grant forgiveness to someone who… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Sirach 27:30-28:7 Reflection: The book of Sirach falls in the genre of Wisdom Literature in the Bible, along with other books like Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Wisdom. We would be wise to follow the instruction given in this Sunday’s… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Ezekiel 33:7-9 Reflection: Here the Prophet Ezekiel is “appointed watchman for the house of Israel” by the Lord. He is called to speak the word of God to the people of God, including calling out their sins and… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Jeremiah 20:7-9 Reflection: This first reading can sound very perplexing and discouraging at first glance. Why would the prophet Jeremiah believe the Lord has “duped” him? In order to understand this reading, we must take it in context…. Continue Reading →