As we mentioned at the beginning of mass today, this third Sunday in ordinary time has been established by His Holiness Pope Francis as the Sunday dedicated to the Word of God.
It is an event that will occur now every year going forward on the third Sunday of ordinary time.
Continue reading “3rd Sunday Ordinary Time – Homily (Msgr. LoPinto)”Please join us to celebrate the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time – the Sunday of the Word of God – on Sunday, January 24:
Today’s readings and hymns are available to download here:
Please join us to celebrate the Mass on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 18:
The call of the Apostles in the Gospels seems artificial and contrived. Despite some differences in the individual Gospels, the Apostles give up everything to answer a call from someone they have only just met. It seems very unlikely as a journalistic account, but it very accurately describes if not the moment when the call is first heard the moment when it is understood. I can relate to this myself and can also see it in the life of Martin Luther King, but here with one enormous difference.
The Apostles were the first leaders of the Church, but we see them today as disciples, followers of Jesus like the rest of us. They were not of the poorest class, Peter and Andrew seemed to be rather prosperous and some may have been better educated than the average Jew. We see in today’s Gospel that the immediate group had some connection with John the Baptizer, so they were knowledgeable and interested in religion. Being the disciple of a famous rabbi would have allowed social and most likely financial improvement. Yet there was significant risk, Jesus’ message was as strange then as now. There is a kingdom coming, but it will not be brought by war and power, but by love and nonviolence. No matter when or how a person hears this, realizing what it really means is always a revelation and always requires a firm decision. Today we read the Apostles’ “yes”.
Continue reading “2nd Sunday Ordinary Time – Homily (Fr. Smith)”Please join us to celebrate the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time on Sunday, January 17:
Today’s readings and hymns are available to download here:
Mark’s gospel, as so I know many of you are aware, is the shortest of the presentations. And it begins with a very simple line. That he is telling you from the beginning, the story of Jesus Christ, the son of God. He then goes into a very brief piece of presentation about John the Baptist being out in the desert. But the highlight of that first chapter is this scene.
When Jesus comes to the River Jordan. And is baptized or submits to the baptism of John, despite John’s objections.
Please join us to celebrate the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday, January 10:
Today’s readings and hymns are available to download here: