Introduction: The central theme of today’s readings is that we should have and show in our communities the courage of our Christian convictions in our Faith and in its practice, even when we face hatred and rejection because of them. Scripture lessons: The first reading tells us how God called Jeremiah as His prophet and equipped… Continue reading »
Central theme: Today’s readings challenge us to hear, read and put into practice the saving and liberating word of God, thus transforming our lives and to convey the salvation and liberation of Christ to others around us through our renewed lives. Today’s Gospel, presenting Jesus’ “inaugural address” in the synagogue of Nazareth and outlining his… Continue reading »
Central theme: This week we are at a wedding in Cana where Jesus reveals his Divine power by his first miracle, transforming water into wine. The Bible begins with one wedding, that of Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 2:23-24), and ends with another, the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9, 21:9,… Continue reading »
Synopsis: Homily on the Epiphany of the Lord (Mt 2:1-12) Introduction: The Greek word Epiphany (επιφάνεια), means appearance or manifestation. First, the angels revealed Jesus to the shepherds. In the Western Church, the Feast of the Epiphany celebrates Jesus’ first appearance to the Gentiles, represented by the Magi, while in the Eastern Church, the feast… Continue reading »
CHRISTMAS DAY: Is 52:7-10; Heb 1:1-6; Jn 1:1-18 or 1: 1-5, 9-14 Anecdotes: 1) A vision test: Once there was a Rabbi who asked his disciples the following question: “How do you know when the darkness has been overcome, when the dawn has arrived?” One of the disciples answered, “When you can look into the… Continue reading »
One-page summary: Christmas Dawn Mass (Is 62:11-12; Ti 3: 4-7; Lk 2:15-20) Introduction: The main theme of this Mass at Dawn is an invitation to enjoy, by a life of sharing love, the lasting peace and celestial joy brought by the Divine Savior. St. John gives the main reason for our Christmas joy in his… Continue reading »
Synopsis: Christmas Midnight Is 9:1-6; Titus 2:11-14; Lk 2:1-14 Introduction: Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, which occurred some 2,000 years ago. Looking through the telescope of Christ’s Resurrection, the New Testament authors, as well as the Fathers of the Church, reexamined foreshadowings of the coming of Jesus, the Messiah,… Continue reading »
Christmas Vigil: Is 62:1-5, Acts 13:16-17, 22-25, Mt 1:1-25 /1:18-25 (L/18) Central theme: The Scripture lessons for today focus on the first Christmas, or the birthday of Jesus, which we celebrate today in all its solemnity. We are celebrating the fulfillment of the prophecies about our merciful God Who sent His own Son to save… Continue reading »
First, Christmas is a feast of light: Today’s readings center around the theme of light, and the Baby in the manger is the Light of the world. In the Gospel Reading of today, we are told that light from Heaven surrounded the shepherds as the Angels sang their praises of God. The Christmas reading, taken from… Continue reading »
Christmas is a feast of great rejoicing (Lk 2: 1-14) Why do we celebrate Christmas with great rejoicing? #1: First, Christmas is the Feast of God’s sending us a Savior : God undertook the Incarnation of Jesus as God-Man to save us from the bondage of sin. The Hindus believe in ten incarnations of God…. Continue reading »