Category Ordinary Time

First Reading: Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 Reflection: In this Sunday’s first reading we hear a portion of Proverbs 31, a famous chapter of the Bible about a virtuous wife. The passage speaks about the interior beauty of a woman who “fears… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Wisdom 6:12-16 Reflection: The book of Wisdom was likely written in the first century B.C., making it the latest composed book of the Old Testament. It was likely written in Alexandria, Egypt in Greek. There is evidence that the… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 Reflection: Malachi was a prophet to the people of Judah after they returned to the Promised Land from exile in Babylon. During this post-exilic period, the people did not have a king from the line… 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 neighbors…. 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 his… 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 Prophet… 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 for… 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 being… Continue Reading →