Lectionary Reflections

Weekly Lectionary Reflections from the Passionist JPIC Office

Fourth Sunday of Lent: Radical Forgiveness

Mar 8, 2010

Lectionary Readings: Joshua 5: 9-12. The feast of Passover is celebrated on the plains of Jericho. The Israelites eat the produce of the Promised Land, and the manna ceases. 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21. “The old order has passed away; now all is new.” Christ who never sinned became “sin” that we might become the very holiness of ... Read more

Third Sunday of Lent: Divine Justice

Mar 2, 2010

Lectionary Readings: Exodus 3:1-8, 13-15. God calls Moses and reveals himself as “I AM”, from the burning bush. 1 Corinthians 10:1-6, 10-12. The exodus of Israel out of Egypt, through the desert, toward the Promised Land, “happened… as an example… [and] a warning to us, upon whom the end of the ages has come.” Luke 13: 1-9. The ... Read more

Second Sunday Of Lent: Hoping Against Hope

Feb 24, 2010

Lectionary Readings: Genesis 15:5-12, 17-18. By a covenant God renewed the promise to Abram (Abraham) of many descendants and their own land. Philippians 3:17-4:1. We eagerly await the coming of our savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will then give a new form to our lowly body. Luke 9:28-36. At Jesus’ transformation, Moses and Elijah appear and speak ... Read more

First Sunday of Lent

Feb 19, 2010

Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10: At a harvest festival the people offer first fruits and confess a creed enumerating the great moments of Israel’s salvation. Romans 10:8-13: The Baptismal formula confesses that Jesus is Lord, raised from the dead. Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Luke 4:1-13: The temptation of Jesus in the desert according ... Read more

Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Seeking a Balance

Feb 8, 2010

Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-8. Each persons experiences desert dryness at times; only the one with faith and deep roots in God survives and even bears good fruit. 1Corinthians 15:12, 16-20. If our hopes are limited to this life only, we are the most pitiable of all people. If Christ has been raised from the dead, he is the ... Read more

Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, How to answer God’s call?

Feb 1, 2010

Readings: Isaiah 6:1-8. The prophet’s inaugural vision and call to ministry. 1 Corinthians 15:1-11. Paul transmits the creed preached in the early church about the resurrection of Jesus. “I handed on to you what I myself received.” Luke 5:1-11. A miraculous catch of fishes. Peter’s protestations of unworthiness; Jesus’ call of Peter, James and John to be fishers ... Read more

4th Sunday of Ordinary Time: The Prophetic Call

Jan 25, 2010

Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-5, 17-19. Jeremiah’s call to prophesy; his strength against all opposition. 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:13. The hymn of Love Luke 4:21-30. Jesus’ first discourse at Nazareth leads to rejection, even to a threat against his life. Thoughts for Your Consideration: By John Gonzalez The readings for this Sunday revolve around the position and responsibilities of a prophet. Jeremiah describes ... Read more

Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

Jan 18, 2010

Readings: Nehemiah 8:2-6, 8-10. Ezra reads and explains the Torah to all the people. While the people were weeping, he told them that “rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!” 1 Corinthian 12: 12-30. Just as the body is one, but has many members… so it is with Christ. Each member has need of the other, ... Read more

Second Sunday of Ordinary Time (the Wedding feast in Cana)

Jan 12, 2010

Readings: Isaiah 62:1-5. Jerusalem will no longer be desolate and forsaken but will be overflowing with life. The Lord will address her as “My Delight” and her land will be called “Espoused.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. There are many gifts and ministries, but one and the same Spirit who accomplished each good action in everyone. John 2:1-12. The marriage ... Read more

Baptism of the Lord

Jan 4, 2010

Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7. In his first song of the Suffering Servant within the prophecy of Isaiah, God summons his chosen one to bring forth justice to the nations, quietly, considerately. Acts 10:34-38. To instruct one of the first gentile converts, Peter began with Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist when he was anointed with the Holy ... Read more