Feast of the Baptism of the Lord January 9, 2023Daily Reading from the USCCB: Matthew 3:13-17 Today we have Matthew’s account of the baptism of Jesus. We know of course that Jesus was sinless, and so the idea of “washing from sin” does not apply here. But in the Jewish tradition baptism was also used

Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph December 30, 2022Daily Reading from the USCCB: Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 This remembrance of the Holy Family’s escape from the death threats of Herod reminds us again that Jesus experienced real life as few of us have. It is amazing when you think of it, but

Feast of Saint Stephen December 26, 2022Daily Reading from the USCCB: Matthew 10:17-22 Saint Stephen is the first public martyr of the fledgling Christian Church. He proclaimed Christianity to the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and enraged them to the point that they stoned him. Stephen was a deacon, and unbeknown to him his death would

Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent December 19, 2022Daily Reading from the USCCB: Luke 1:5-25 Today’s Gospel recounts the promise to Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth, that their barrenness would finally end and she would bear a son. Zechariah is told that their son would be “great in the sight of God.” The fact that

Friday of the Third Week of Advent December 16, 2022Daily Reading from the USCCB: John 5:33-36 There were many prophets like John the Baptist who spoke the truth and prepared the people for the coming of Jesus the Savior. Given that John was the last prophet of our tradition to appear on earth, it is

Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe December 12, 2022Daily Reading from the USCCB: Luke 1:26-38 The angel’s words to Mary, “Do not be afraid,” are something many people in today’s world need to hear. Given the availability of 24/7 TV news, it is hard to avoid seeing the many places where entire nations and populations