Sixth Sunday of Easter – C Disagreements in the church are nothing new. Today’s first reading gives us a brief account of one of the first challenges the post-resurrection church faced as it grew beyond Jesus’s immediate circle of disciples. … Read More
Fourth Sunday of Advent – C The Filipino women in my family tend to be short, which makes some people think we are also quiet. But if you ever get invited to our family parties, you will hear us before … Read More
32nd Sunday Ordinary Time Today’s Gospel paired with the story of the destitute widow who showed hospitality to Elijah highlights God’s care for the poor and the total trust they have in God. But there’s a more difficult message in … Read More
19th Sunday Ordinary Time – B A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing. The knowledge itself is not dangerous—we should always strive to grow in knowledge—but relying on our knowledge alone is. That’s how today’s Gospel begins, with … Read More
16th Sunday Ordinary Time – B Last week Jesus sent out the disciples two by two on mission, and today they return with news of everything they did. But the Sunday lectionary omits an important subplot that takes place between … Read More
Seventh Sunday of Easter – B It’s not unusual to hear some version of “I come to Mass to get away from the world for one hour.” It comes sometimes as homiletic critique: “We shouldn’t be hearing about politics or … Read More
Third Sunday of Lent – B The temple cleansing is found in all four Gospels. However, John puts this scene right after Jesus’s miracle at Cana at the start of his ministry. In the synoptics, it takes place at the … Read More
Second Sunday of Lent – B The Transfiguration scene midway through Mark’s Gospel is the climactic crossroads where we must choose between staying in Galilee or going with Jesus to death in Jerusalem. In the previous chapter, Peter recognized Jesus’s … Read More
3rd Sunday Ordinary Time Today is the first Sunday we hear from Mark’s Gospel, which will be our focus this Lectionary year. Mark’s tone and pace are unique. Details are sparse. Dialogues are quick. Jesus is always on the move. … Read More
Fourth Sunday of Advent From the moment you enter its plaza and step through the main doors of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, you are surrounded by both religious and secular, Catholic and indigenous … Read More