Weekly Lectionary Reflections from the Passionist JPIC Office
Twenty Third Sunday of Ordinary Time: Reevaluating Our Relationships
Lectionary Readings: Wisdom 9:13-18. If we can scarcely guess about earthly things, how can we ever know heavenly secrets? God sends the Holy Spirit to make known our paths on earth. Philemon 9-10, 12-17. In returning the runaway slave Onesimus to his owner Philemon, Paul asks the latter to receive the slave as a beloved brother. Luke 14: ... Read more
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged humility, Jesus, Luke, Patience, Paul, Philemon, Relationship, Wisdom
Twenty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time: True Humility
Lectionary Readings: Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29. A humble person finds favor with God and will be endowed with wisdom and the love of loyal friends. Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24. You have drawn near the heavenly Jerusalem, to the assembly of the firstborn, to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant. Luke 14:1, 7-14. By means of a parable about ... Read more
Twenty First Sunday of Ordinary Time: Celebrating the Foreigners and Outsiders
Lectionary Readings: Isaiah 66:18-21. Distant foreigners will not only be converted to the Lord but they will even be chosen as priests and levites. Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13. God disciplines us by trials, at first a source of grief, later of joy. Parents discipline the children they love. Luke 13:22-30. Enter by narrow gate. People will come from distant ... Read more
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Foreigners, Immigrants, Isaiah, Jesus, Luke, outsiders
Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary
Lectionary Readings: Revelation 11:19; 12:1-6, 10. A woman, clothed with the sun, gives birth to the Messiah who was snatched up to God, lest the demon devoured the child. She herself fled into the desert, to a special place prepared for her by God. 1 Corinthians 15: 20-26. As in Adam, all died, so in Christ, all ... Read more
Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Imagine Hope
Lectionary Readings: Wisdom 18:6-9. A remembrance of the night of Israel’s departure from Egyptian bondage Hebrew 11: 1-2, 8-19. Faith is confident assurance concerning that which we hope for. No matter the extant of human weakness, God’s promises are fulfilled; no matter how precious our gifts, we die to receive something still greater. Luke 12: 32-48. Let your ... Read more
Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: “Feeding yourself entirely on his Divine Will”
Lectionary Readings: Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23. Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity! For what profit are all the toil and anxiety of heart? Colossians 3:1-5, 9-11. Set your heart on what pertains to higher realms. Your life is hidden with Christ in God. You are formed anew in the image of the Creator. Luke 12:13-21. Possessions do not ... Read more
Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Peace and Prejudice
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 18:20-32. Abraham argues with God not to destroy the wicked cities, if fifty and eventually if only ten just persons are found in them. Colossians 2:12-14.The gentiles, though non-observant of the Jewish law and helplessly dead in their sins, were raised to new life in Christ’s resurrection. The decree against us was nailed to ... Read more
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Abraham, Jesus, mercy, Prejudice
Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Praying for justice and mercy
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 18:20-32. Abraham argues with God not to destroy the wicked cities, if fifty and eventually if only ten just persons are found in them. Colossians 2:12-14.The gentiles, though non-observant of the Jewish law and helplessly dead in their sins, were raised to new life in Christ’s resurrection. The decree against us was nailed to ... Read more
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged "Thy Will Be Done", Abraham, Jonah, justice, mercy, Prayer, Sodom and Gomorrah
Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time: Subversive Hospitality
Lectionary Readings: Genesis 18:1-10. Abraham entertains three guests, including the Lord, who announces the birth of Isaac. Colossians 1:24-28. Paul finds joy in his suffering, filled up what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ for the sake of His body, the church. Paul preaches the mystery of Christ among the gentiles hidden from all ages. Luke 10:38-42. ... Read more
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: The suffering neighbor
Lectionary Readings: Deuteronomy 30.10-14. Heed the voice of the Lord, your God, and return with all your heart. Keep his commandments. They are not remote but in your heart. Colossians 1.15-20. Jesus Christ is the firstborn of all creation; all things stand created in him, through him and for him. Peace has come through the blood of ... Read more