As liturgists, we can sometimes fall into the sin of rubricism disguised as reverence. However, we cannot follow the Gospel by becoming legalists, nitpicking the rules and measuring piety by the number of rubrics followed. Rather, we only truly obey … Read More
Readings for the Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B At the height of public protest in the United States against a travel ban that seemed to be targeting Muslim countries, the Lectionary readings that Sunday spoke of justice, mercy, … Read More
Readings for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year B A note: Several events converged this week that have caused me to add a note to the commentary for this Sunday’s readings. First, I received in the mail the poster … Read More
Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year B If you’re a parish minister, today will probably be a marathon for you. With the Fourth Sunday of Advent falling on the same day as Christmas Eve, many of us will … Read More
Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year B Leave it to Pope Francis to give us an authoritative papal document with the colorful word “sourpuss” in its official English translation. He wrote the original text of Evangelii Gaudium (“Joy … Read More
Readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year B After Hurricane Katrina ravaged the cities along the Louisiana coastline, a Christian church wanted to bring comfort to the people living there. The parishioners saw homes lost to flooding and people … Read More
Readings for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Beyond our focus on Mary and her sinless nature from the moment of her conception, on this day, I also like to remember her parents, Joachim and Anne. It’s as much their … Read More
Readings for the First Sunday of Advent, Year B Maybe you’ve seen the Internet meme of Jesus at a closed door ready to knock. The caption says: “Jesus is coming. Look busy!” No matter what we do, it’s hard to … Read More
Readings for Thanksgiving Day, USA There are three things that happen at every good meal. First, there is communion in all its aspects, not just eating food but also reconciling with those we don’t get along with or would rather … Read More
Readings for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A “Don’t give your oil away.” A wise woman said that to me many years ago when I was discerning a vocation as a lay woman in the church. At the … Read More