Third Sunday of Lent, Cycle A

Readings: Exodus 17:3-7; Romans 5:1- 8; John 4:5-42 A precious commodity anywhere, and certainly in New Mexico, is water, something many of us perhaps take for granted. For the gift of water, we are always grateful. Saint Francis of Assisi went so far as to call it,...

Second Sunday of Lent, Year A

Scripture Readings: Book of Genesis 12:1-4; Second Letter of Saint Paul to Timothy            1:8-10; Gospel According to Saint Matthew 17:1-9 I like to call the second Sunday of Lent “Transfiguration Sunday,” for its focus on that great mystery in the life of Christ...

First Sunday of Lent, Year A

Scripture Readings: Book of Genesis 2:7-9; 3:1-7; Romans 12-19; Gospel According to Saint Matthew 4:1-11 Each year the Church gives us this season of Lent to renew our intention of living more completely for Christ. Lent is a word in English that is related to...

Ash Wednesday

Scripture Readings: Book of the Prophet Joel 2:12-18; Second Corinthians 5:20-6:2; Gospel According to Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18. The readings for Mass today set the tone for the entire season of Lent which we now begin. Keep in mind the word “Lent” comes from the same...

Solemnity of the Epiphany

Scripture Readings: Book of the Prophet Isaiah 60:1-6; Letter of Saint Paul to the Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6; Gospel According to Saint Matthew 2:1-12 The Solemnity of the Epiphany, literally the “manifestation” or “showing” of the Lord Jesus Christ to the nations, is...

Christmas Midnight Mass

So much can and should be said at Christmas Midnight Mass, but who can say it best and the most eloquently? Not I, I willingly admit. But listening to the many texts, especially from Sacred Scripture during the holy Seasons of Advent and Christmas, I have been struck...

Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year A

Scripture Readings: Prophet Isaiah 7:10-14; Letter to the Romans 1:1-7; Gospel According to Saint Matthew 1:18-24 Christmas Day draws near, just a week from today. People are shopping, cooking, cleaning, sending cards and gifts, and trying to breath a sigh of relief...

Third Sunday of Advent, Year A

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 35:1-6, 10; Letter of James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11 We are now very close to celebrating the Solemnity of the Lord’s Nativity, Christmas Day, on December 25th. The Lord is very near and is coming quickly, as the Liturgy of the Church keeps...

Second Sunday of Advent, Year A

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10; Romans 15:4-9; Matthew 3:1-12 A fundamental emphasis of the Season of Advent each year is to welcome Jesus, who came in time, who will come at the end of time, and who comes to us every day: in Sacred Scripture, in the Sacraments of...

An Advent Reflection

We began the holy season of Advent this past Sunday and a new Liturgical Year has begun. The message we will be hearing throughout Advent is this: prepare your hearts, for our God is sending a Savior, Emmanuel, a name which means, God-with-us. The firm conviction that...