Weekly Lectionary Reflections from the Passionist JPIC Office
Fourth Sunday of Lent: Radical Forgiveness
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
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Corinthians, eschatology, forgiveness, Jesus, Joshua, Lent, Luke, Paul, Prodigal Son, reconciliation, The Shack
Third Sunday of Lent: Divine Justice
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
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
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Abraham, Genesis, hope, Jesus, Luke, Paul, Philippians, Pope Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi, Transfiguration
First Sunday of Lent
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
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Deuteronomy, Haiti, Jesus, Paul, Romans, spiritual journey, temptation
Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Seeking a Balance
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
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Balance, Corinthians, Jeremiah, Jesus, justice, Luke, Paul, Presidents Day
Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time, How to answer God’s call?
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
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged called by God, Corinthians, humility, Isaiah, Jonah, Kingdom of God, Luke, Paul, Peter
4th Sunday of Ordinary Time: The Prophetic Call
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
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
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged bible, Ezra, interpretation, Luke, Nehemiah. Corinthians, suffering, unity
Second Sunday of Ordinary Time (the Wedding feast in Cana)
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
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Corinthians, Isaiah, John, love, marriage, mystical union, unity, Wedding feast in Cana
Baptism of the Lord
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