In today's Gospel we have a healing within a healing. On the way to heal Jairus' daughter, Jesus heals a woman who suffered from hemorrhages for twelve years, and gives us a glimpse of what it means to be holy in the midst of chaos and distractions.
Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. As Jesus is presented in the Temple in Jerusalem, the prophet Anna sings his praises and the prophet Simeon declares that he can now die happy because he has seen the salvation God has promised. Can we allow Jesus to take away all our fears, even the fear of death?<br>
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Readings: Malachi 3:1–4; Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10; Hebrews 2:14–18; Luke 2:22–40.
For 29 January 2025, Wednesday of week 3 in Ordinary Time, based on Mark 4:1-20
In today's scripture we hear of Jesus establishing a new covenant with his own blood, one sacrifice with the power to save "the many," and we ponder how many might be able to be saved by this one act.
Today we celebrate Word of God Sunday and hear how Jesus was handed the scroll of Isaiah in the synagogue in Nazareth, found the passage "I have come to bring good news to the poor," and declared that he was fulfilling that passage that very day. Scripture tells us who we are, giving us roots, but every time we return to it scripture also gives us wings, sending us out to fulfil its promises in our own age.
Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for Epiphany Sunday. In the first reading it is prophesied that all the nations will go up to Jerusalem bringing gifts of gold and frankincense. In the Gospel, the magi follow the star to Jesus and give him gold, frankincense... and myrrh, an incense used in divine worship and in burying Jesus, noting his divinity and the sacrifice of his life. In the second reading, Paul reminds us that Jesus came for everyone, both Jews and gentiles.<br>
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Readings: Isaiah 60:1–6; Ephesians 3:2–3a, 5–6; Matthew 2:1–12
On this Feast of the Holy Family, we recall Jesus being lost for days and finally found in the Temple, seemingly oblivious to the worry he caused his parents. Every family has some degree of chaos as different members pull in different directions. There is not only one way to be a "perfect" family. Families and churches are best when they let each member be the best version of who they really are, and then together they create their own best version of family.
On this Feast of the Holy Innocents, we remember how, warned by an an angel in his dream, Joseph fled with his family in the middle of the night to escape Herod's deadly wrath. There is still genocide and evil in our world, and we still need to listen to God about when to stand and when to run.
In this extra A Word of Hope video, Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP, Br. Joseph Hilliker, OP and Fr. Dick LaPata, OP share about what gives them hope in the this lovely season of Hope.<br>
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For 17 December 2024, December 17, based on Matthew 1:1-17