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Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, Cycle A

02 Feb 2014

SUNDAY SUMMARY Malachi 3:1-4 God's messenger comes not to destroy but to purify the community of its sin. Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 The king of glory enters the city, and the celebration of his victory begins. Hebrews 2:14-18 Jesus is a new kind of high priest who rescues his people from death itself. Luke 2:22-40 or 2:22-32 On the day of their son’s presentation, the parents of Jesus receive two prophecies.

Luke 2:22-40 Malachi 3:1-4 Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 Hebrews 2:14-18 Luke 2:22-32

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Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

17 Nov 2013

SUNDAY SUMMARY Malachi 3:19-20a The day of the Lord arrives like fire but those faithful to God have nothing to fear. Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 God is the sun of justice, dawning on a world which celebrates at the occasion. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 The announcement of the gospel is an invitation to rejoice but not to relax. Luke 21:5-19 The magnificence of the Temple impresses many. Jesus predicts its destruction.

Malachi 3:19-20a Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19

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Exploring the word

30 Oct 2011 - Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

THE MOON IS a far cry from the Sun in more ways than one. It is not a fiery orb that emits heat and light but a cold satellite that simply reflects the light it receives from elsewhere. That’s on one side, anyway. The other side is in shadow. That makes the Moon an apt metaphor for the religious person. We don’t generate truth, light, and love on our own but reflect what comes from God. Of ourselves we can do nothing. And whatever part of us fails to turn to God remains in darkness, hidden and dangerous. What happens if we make a pretense of our religious lives and do not genuinely turn any aspect of ourselves over to God? Ah, now we not only endanger ourselves but others as well. For those who are not yet religiously minded see our false emissions of truth and read them for honest ones. Now the darkness of the world becomes doubly dark. Those who have avowed themselves as religious people—by getting baptized, going to church, going through the motions of the spiritual life, identifying in public as Catholic, even hanging the rosary from the rearview mirror—are declaring in effect: This is what it means to follow Christ. Watch me. This is how it’s done. The responsibility for saying yes, yes, and doing no, no, is serious of course, as Jesus teaches elsewhere. How much more confusing is it for highly visible religious people—those in leadership roles—to present themselves as God’s representatives and then to fail to live up to their obligations? Today, on Priesthood Sunday, it’s worth considering these things. Bad religion is so much worse than no religion at all because of the damage it does, in effect, to God’s reputation. The prophet Malachi declares that God will make the blessing of a bad priest into a curse for the people. Honestly, God doesn’t have to. The curse is already on its way, as the last decade of suffering for the whole church has proved. The way to avert the curse and recover the blessing is to enter deeply and fervently into the spirit of humility. The humble will be exalted, Jesus promises—but let’s let God do the exalting, shall we, and work on the humble part ourselves. Today’s Psalm 131 is the perfect prayer for instilling the proper spirit. It’s also short and easy to memorize, which makes it a portable reminder when we’re tempted to arrogance. If we strive to be model Moons, reflecting the glow of divine love to those around us, we’ll join the ranks of the many lights who’ve gone before us and now wear that halo permanently. Related scripture links Advice for leaders: 1 Tim. 3:1-13, 4:6-16; Titus 1:5-9; James 4:6-10, 5:16; 1 Pet. 5:1-4 Imitate Paul as he does Christ: Gal. 4:12; Phil 3:17; 1 Thess.1:5-7; 2 Tim. 3:10-11 Humility is our model: 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Phil 2:3-11

Authors Alice Camille

religious people malachi psalm 131 following jesus Humility

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Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

30 Oct 2011

SUNDAY SUMMARY Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 The cheating of religious leaders does not go unnoticed—and unpunished. Psalm 131:1, 2, 3 A prideful spirit has no place in the sight of God but only does a humble heart. 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13 Gentleness, affection, and hard work are the three tools of the apostle’s trade. Matthew 23:1-12 Hypocrisy makes the good news of religion into a mockery.

Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 Psalm 131:1, 2, 3 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13 Matthew 23:1-12

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Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

14 Nov 2010

SUNDAY SUMMARY Malachi 3:19-20a It’s not always going to be like this. On the day of the Lord, everything will change. Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 The arrival of divine rule is reason to celebrate, earth and all its creatures together. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 How should we behave after we receive the gospel of Christ into our lives? Luke 21:5-19 Don’t be impressed by worldly grandeur. Divine authority is the only superpower there is.

Malachi 3:19-20a Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19

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Homily stories

14 Nov 2010 - Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

In the first reading, the prophet Malachi reveals that the same fire can destroy or heal, depending on how we've lived our lives. A good analogy in modern life might be how we react to stress. All of life involves some stress. Good stress strengthens us, helps focus us on what's most important, and moves us to necessary action. Bad stress breaks us down, scatters our focus, and leaves us paralyzed. The same events in our lives can be experienced as good stress or bad stress. Much depends on whether we put God at the center of our lives (i.e., fear God's name), or whether we try, in our pride, to be self-made men and women, convinced we have to "do it my way."

Malachi 3:19-20a stress

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Homily themes

30 Oct 2011 - Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

This commandment is for you. The name of the Hebrew scriptures' brief last book, written around 470 B.C., takes it name from an invention: Malachi is the transliteration of the Hebrew word "my messenger." The passage proclaimed in the first reading comes from a series of oracles condemning the sins of priests, especially their stumbling as leaders and teachers. The judgment of God takes to task the priests for their failure to glorify God's name, their turning away from the covenant, their poor instruction of the people. The gospel picks up this criticism: Jesus warns the crowds to beware of their leaders who burden the people, love honors and displays of piety, and are hypocrites. Taken as a whole, however, the readings this week also offer an antidote to these sins: humility, namely acknowledging the one Father in heaven, the one King, the one Master. In so doing it becomes impossible to be a proud and vain leader who puts self before others, even God. From this profession of faith comes the true nature of leadership, exemplified by Saint Paul: self-sacrificial service.

Authors Joel Schorn

Commandments malachi leaders priests

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Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

13 Nov 2016

SUNDAY SUMMARY Malachi 3:19-20a A prophet predicts devastation but also promises justice and healing. Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 God’s coming rule is one of justice and equity. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 The end is near, but that doesn’t mean our labor for the good is vain. Luke 21:5-19 Bad times are on the way. But the faithful have nothing to fear.

Malachi 3:19-20a Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19

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Preaching the News for the Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

13 Nov 2016

SUNDAY SUMMARY Malachi 3:19-20a A prophet predicts devastation but also promises justice and healing. Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 God’s coming rule is one of justice and equity. 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 The end is near, but that doesn’t mean our labor for the good is vain. Luke 21:5-19 Bad times are on the way. But the faithful have nothing to fear.

Malachi 3:19-20a Psalm 98:5-6, 7-8, 9 2 Thessalonians 3:7-12 Luke 21:5-19
Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A

05 Nov 2017

SUNDAY SUMMARY Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 The cheating of religious leaders does not go unnoticed—and unpunished. Psalm 131:1, 2, 3 A prideful spirit has no place in the sight of God but only does a humble heart. 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13 Gentleness, affection, and hard work are the three tools of the apostle’s trade. Matthew 23:1-12 Hypocrisy makes the good news of religion into a mockery.

Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 Psalm 131:1, 2, 3 1 Thessalonians 2:7b-9, 13 Matthew 23:1-12

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