Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today’s Gospel challenges our sense of justice. Its startling conclusion, “the last will be first, and the first will be last,” does not sit well with our understanding of achievement and success. Truly, Isaiah’s prophecy is correct: God’s ways are not our ways – they...

Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Last Sunday, we pondered Jesus’ challenging instructions on how to correct a fellow sinner. Today’s readings give us even more challenging personal instructions on forgiveness. The Psalm sets the tone for the whole week, showing us the foundation of every decision to...

Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

St. Paul, in his Letter to the Romans, repeats Jesus’ admonition, “love one another.” He tells us that “love is the fulfillment of the law.” When we truly act in love for our brothers and sisters, we are doing all that we can to bring about good for them and not evil,...

Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The image of Jesus Christ crucified is so important for our liturgical life that the Church requires that a crucifix must be on or close to the altar at every Mass. In some parishes, however, the image of the Risen Christ now occupies the central and focal position...

Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

In last Sunday’s selection from his Letter to the Romans, St. Paul marveled at how God has worked even through the barrier of human disobedience to bring mercy to all. Nothing stops the Lord’s mercy! “For God delivered all to disobedience, that he might have mercy...