An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - July 6, 2025
“As A Mother Comforts Her Child, So Will I Comfort You”
In our readings this Sunday, we find great Joy in the redemptive love of God and in the spreading of the Gospel of Christ. We boast of our joy, even in our suffering.
In our first reading (Isaiah 66:10-14), God spoke through the prophet Isaiah as the Jewish people were returning to rebuild Jerusalem after years of captivity in Babylon. As they found their city and temple in ruins, God promised that the day would come when their beloved Jerusalem would be as a nursing mother, tenderly caring for her children. That would be a time of great joy. “For thus says the LORD: Lo, I will spread prosperity over Jerusalem like a river.”
In our Epistle reading (Galatians 6:14-18), we hear the conclusion of St. Paul's letter to the Galatians. In it, Paul reminded his beloved community once again that it is through the glory of the cross of Jesus that we are saved, and worldly issues are of no importance. His boast is in the sufferings and scars of his apostolic labors. His concern (and ours) is the new creation in Jesus. Paul writes, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
In our Gospel reading (Luke 10:1-12, 17-20), Jesus sent seventy two disciples out to the towns and countryside in advance of His visit to preach the Good News. He gave them detailed instructions as to what and what not to bring. Their way would not be an easy one as Jesus told them, ”Behold, I am sending you like lambs among wolves.” They returned overjoyed at the wonders they were able to do in the name of Jesus.
For the Israelites, restoration to their homeland was a joyous and wondrous thing. For we Christians, restoration to our "new creation" in Christ is even more joyous and wondrous. Just as Jesus sent His seventy-two out into the world to preach and to heal, so does He send us. May we take to heart His instructions to His disciples. We too are like lambs sent among wolves. We too should feel the urgency of the mission, not burdened down by the trappings of this world. And just as they returned rejoicing for what God had accomplished through them, so may we reflect that same joy as we live out our redemption.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070625.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - June 29, 2025
“And So I Say To You Peter, And Upon This Rock I Will Build My Church”
This Sunday, we celebrate the lives of Saints Peter and Paul. Both holy men are considered the foundation pillars of the early Church, preaching to both Jewish Christians and Gentiles. While Paul is most known for his work among the Gentiles and Peter is mostly known for his preaching to Jews and Jewish Christians, they both preached to everyone and anyone who would listen. Peter was the first apostle to convert and baptize a Gentile, the Centurian named Cornelius and his entire household (Acts 10).
In our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (12:1-11), we hear the story of how King Herod Agrippa I arrested St. Peter and put him in prison under heavy guard with plans to execute him after the Passover had concluded. In the middle of the night, God sent an angel to free Peter and deliver him to safety. After he had been freed, Peter said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord sent His angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people had been expecting.”
In our Epistle Reading (2 Timothy: 6-8,17-18), St. Paul writes from his prison cell in Rome to his protégé’ Timothy. It is, in a sense, a final exhortation and testament to the person who would replace Paul and continue his ministry. Paul is anticipating that his end is near and writes, “I, Paul, am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.”
In our Gospel reading (Matthew 16:13-19), Jesus asks His apostles “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” It is Peter who answers, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus ascribes this confession as a direct revelation from His Father in heaven and installs Peter as the rock upon which He will build His Church. Jesus gives him the authority to “bind and loose” which the Church interprets today as the authority of the Magisterium, the authority of the Pope.
One of the most important aspects of this feast day is that the ministry and mission of both Sts. Peter and Paul continued to flourish under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Both Peter and Paul were imprisoned in Rome and executed around the same time around 67 AD. But their disciples stayed in Rome and Rome became the seat of leadership in the Church.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062925.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - June 22, 2025
“This Is My Body That Is For You. Do This In Remembrance Of Me”
This Sunday, we celebrate the everlasting gift Jesus gave to us at the Last Supper so that He could physically dwell within us. Our readings this Sunday offer two events that prefigure the Holy Eucharist - one Old Testament (Melchizedek) and one New Testament (the feeding of the five thousand). Also, our Epistle reading by St. Paul, is the earliest written account of the institution of the Holy Eucharist at the Last Supper.
Our first reading is from the Book of Genesis (Gn 14:18-20). It is an account of Abram’s successful battle with four kings in order to rescue his nephew Lot from captivity. To celebrate the success, Melchizedek, the priest / king of Salem (later to become Jerusalem) offered a sacrifice of bread and wine. Melchizedek is seen as a prefiguring of Christ and the Eucharist. You may have heard the term, “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.”
In our Epistle reading of St. Paul (1 Corinthians 11:23-26), we hear the first recorded account of the institution of the Holy Eucharist by Jesus at the Last Supper. Saint Paul describes for us the words Jesus used and how the practice of the Eucharistic meal has been handed on to us. This was Jesus’ gift of Himself to us, to ensure that He would always be really and substantially present to us—in His body, blood, soul and divinity. These very words are often heard in the sacrifice of the Mass.
In our Gospel reading (Luke 9:11B-17), we hear St. Luke’s account of the feeding of the five thousand. Luke tells us of Jesus’ compassion and love for the people. In these words of Jesus, we hear another prefiguring of the Holy Eucharist, “looking up to heaven, He said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. They all ate and were satisfied.”
The Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Christ in the Eucharist, like any blessing, can be taken for granted and even at times, seem routine. How often do we ponder the awesome gift and blessing there is in this Communion with God? How often do we give thought to the real, true presence of Jesus entering into and nourishing our bodies and our souls? Today’s readings and liturgy should give us a reminder to always follow Jesus’ command: “Do this in remembrance of me”.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062225.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - December 25
“AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US”
Our readings for Christmas Mass at night draw a direct connection between what Isaiah prophesied more than 500
years before Christ was born and what took place that Christmas night when the prophesy was fulfilled in all its humble glory.
In our first reading (Isaiah 9:1-6), we hear the prophesy of Isaiah that is proclaimed every Christmas Eve night - God's own Son will come to deliver us. "For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.”
In our Epistle (Titus 2:11-14), St. Paul leads us to remember that Christ promised to come again and will deliver us from all lawlessness. Paul teaches us how to live while we await the return of Jesus our Savior. “The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ.”
Our Gospel reading (Luke 2:1-14) is the account of Jesus' humble birth as Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census of the house of David. The first to bear witness were the lowly shepherds from the surrounding hillsides.
The birth of the Jesus the Messiah was not just something that happened a long time ago. It was an event foretold for centuries and awaited fervently by the people of Israel. From the moment of Jesus' birth to his tragic death and triumphant resurrection, he was the embodiment of humility, patience, and love. It is how he calls us to live "temperately, justly and devoutly in this age as we await the blessed hope."
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523-night.cfm
Click 'Read more' for the reflection on the Christmas Day readings.