Today’s Readings In today’s first reading, we hear what we might call an early “Liturgy of the Word.” The people gather for the work of worshiping God, and at the center of their celebration is the proclamation of the Law—the Scriptures. This liturgy is not only about listening, but about understanding: the Word of God Continue reading

Today’s Readings Jesus never hides the cost of discipleship. In today’s Gospel, He reminds us that to follow Him requires sacrifice. But this sacrifice is not meant to drain our joy or leave us burdened. Quite the opposite—it is the path to true freedom and love. A holy life is not an unhappy life. Rather, Continue reading

Today’s Readings In today’s Office of Readings, St. Paul exhorts us: “Conduct yourselves in a way worthy of the Gospel of Christ” (Phil 1:27). Those words stood out all the more when paired with today’s Gospel. Jesus sends His disciples ahead to prepare the way, but they are met with rejection: “they would not welcome Continue reading

Today’s Readings In today’s Office of Readings, part of the Liturgy of the Hours, we hear a homily from St. Gregory the Great for the Feast of the Archangels. St. Gregory reminds us that the word angel describes not their nature but their mission: “They are only called angels when they fulfill the mission given Continue reading

Today’s Readings In today’s first reading we hear: “Thus he has given us new life to raise again the house of our God and restore its ruins” (Ezra 9:9). These words remind us of St. Francis of Assisi, when Christ said to him: “Francis, rebuild my church.” That call was not only about repairing buildings, Continue reading

Today’s Readings Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. Pius of Pietrelcina—beloved by so many simply as Padre Pio. The readings for his feast remind us of both the goal of the Christian life—eternal communion with God—and the path that leads us there: “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself.” Self-denial, or Continue reading

Today’s Readings In today’s readings, St. Paul once again reminds us what the Christian life looks like in practice. He tells us to be examples in “speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity.” These marks of discipleship are not about standing apart for the sake of being different. Rather, they flow from the heart of the Continue reading

Today’s Readings In the psalm at Mass today we hear the psalmist sing, “I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart.” These are words not only to hear but to live. Gratitude opens our eyes to the many ways God is at work—from the great blessings that shape our lives to the Continue reading

Today’s Readings In today’s Gospel, when Jesus raises the young man from the dead, the crowd’s first reaction is fear. Why fear? To understand this, we turn to the other readings of the day. In the first reading, Paul reminds us that those who lead the Church must live according to the Gospel, not the Continue reading

Today’s Readings In today’s first reading, St. Paul reminds us that prayer is not meant to be narrow or self-focused. We are called to pray not only for ourselves, not only for those we love, or even just for fellow believers—but for everyone. Why? Because, as Paul writes, God “wills everyone to be saved and Continue reading