Feb. 6, 2013 - The Church is missionary by her very nature ('Ad Gentes,' 2).  From the very beginning the Church has been called to 'put out into the deep' of the world. The calling of the Church and of each one of us originates in our encounter with the living God.

Jan. 30, 2013 - This week’s first reading describes the call of Jeremiah, who was chosen by God to be a prophet long before he was born.

Jan. 23, 2013 - The books of Ezra and Nehemiah pick up where 2 Chronicles leaves off with the end of the Babylonian captivity.  Originally one book, Ezra-Nehemiah tells the story of Israel’s return to Jerusalem and the rebuilding of the Temple.

Jan. 16, 2013 - After Christ’s manifestation to the Magi in Bethlehem and then to the crowds at his baptism, the next manifestation of the Lord’s divinity was at the wedding in Cana.

January 09, 2013 - The Sundays between Epiphany and Ash Wednesday highlight the various ways Christ’s divinity was revealed.
 

Dec. 19, 2012 - Synopsis: Micah was a prophet in the southern kingdom of Judah during the invasion of Assyria in the eighth century B.C. To survive, the people needed to be strong, spiritually and morally.

Dec. 12, 2012 - The third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete” (Latin, “rejoice”)Sunday because the theme of the readings is joy. In the first reading Zephaniah beckons “daughter Jerusalem” to “shout for joy!” Zephaniah ministered in Jerusalem in the seventh century B.C. during a time of religious and moral decay.

December 5, 2012 - The context of this week’s first reading is ancient Babylon where the people of God had been languishing in exile for nearly 70 years, more than 500 years before Christ. Jerusalem was in ruins, forsaken, all her inhabitants gone. God’s word is addressed to the Holy City, telling her that soon her children would return home.

November 28, 2012 - Jeremiah lived in the sixth century B.C. during the Babylonian Captivity. He had warned his people early on that the nation was in grave danger because of sin and corruption, which stemmed from a general lack of faith.

December 2, 2012 - Jeremiah lived in the sixth century B.C. during the Babylonian Captivity. He had warned his people early on that the nation was in grave danger because of sin and corruption, which stemmed from a general lack of faith.

November 21, 2012 - Daniel is set in the time of the Babylonian Captivity in the sixth century B.C. It includes a number of stories and visions that show how the Jews kept the faith despite harassment and discrimination. In this week’s first reading we hear about Daniel’s vision of four kingdoms, each of which passes away before God’s kingdom.

November 14, 2012 - As we near the end of the Church year the readings call to mind Last Things. The story of Daniel is about faithful Jews living under tyranny and oppression. It was written to strengthen their faith in God and help them stand firm under persecution.

November 7, 2012 - In the ninth century B.C. 10 tribes in the northern part of Israel seceded from Jerusalem after rebelling against Solomon’s tyrannical son, Rehoboam. His rival, Jeroboam, led the people of the north into schism and idolatry by building sanctuaries where he set up golden calves (bulls actually) for the people to worship so they wouldn’t be tempted to go to Jerusalem.

November 7, 2012 - In the ninth century B.C. 10 tribes in the northern part of Israel seceded from Jerusalem after rebelling against Solomon’s tyrannical son, Rehoboam. His rival, Jeroboam, led the people of the north into schism and idolatry by building sanctuaries where he set up golden calves (bulls actually) for the people to worship so they wouldn’t be tempted to go to Jerusalem.

Oct. 31, 2012 - Gospel reflection for Nov. 4, 2012, the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time.

October 24, 2012 - Life is a journey and a search for the one, true God. Though many deny God’s existence, the desire for him is written on every human heart.

October 17, 2012 - The readings this week focus on the servanthood of Christ. A man like us in all respects, but without sin, Jesus is the model of true greatness.

October 10, 2012 - Some things are more important than others. This week’s readings focus on what’s most important. The first reading extols wisdom as the highest value, above success, prosperity and even health.

October 3, 2012 - This week’s readings focus on marriage. The reading from Genesis is about the creation of Eve. When Adam sees her he exclaims: “This one, at last, is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh!”

September 26, 2012 - A prophet is not a fortune teller, but someone who is able to read the signs of the times in the light of God’s word.  In the first reading, 70 elders had been appointed by Moses to assist him in guiding, governing and teaching the people.

September 12, 2012 - Following Christ not only involves correct beliefs and right behavior—or “faith and works” as St. James says—but also sacrifice as this week’s first reading and Gospel tell us.

September 5, 2012 - The prophet Isaiah ministered in the southern kingdom of Judah in eighth century B.C. It was a time of danger and uncertainty as the Assyrians and then later the Babylonians threatened Jerusalem.

August 29, 2012 - Our actions spring from our deepest convictions—that is, what we believe is of vital importance.

August 22, 2012 - This week’s readings are about fidelity and commitment. After the Israelites’ victory over the Canaanites the people were faced with a choice: Would they forsake the LORD, let themselves be assimilated by the surrounding culture and worship other gods, or would they be faithful to the one, true God and serve Him alone?

August 15, 2012 - A proverb is a short, easy to remember couplet of practical wisdom. “Proverb” is a translation of the Hebrew verb mashal, which means to rule or govern.

August 8, 2012 - For the third week in row the readings revolve around the Eucharist. 

August 1, 2012 - Starting this Sunday and continuing through the end of the month, the Gospel will be from the Bread of Life discourse in John 6.

July 25, 2012 - This week’s readings focus on the Eucharist, the “source and summit” of the Christian life. Last week, you may remember, the Gospel spoke about how the Lord had compassion on the crowds and taught them because they were “like sheep without a shepherd.”

July 18, 2012 - In our first reading the Lord denounces Jerusalem’s “shepherds ... who mislead and scatter the flock” through negligence and false teachings. They were more concerned about their own welfare than about being faithful to God and speaking the truth.

July 11, 2012 - This week’s readings call to mind the mission of the Church. Like Amos and the other prophets of the Old Testament, the Church and her teachings haven’t always been well received.

July 4, 2012 - The readings this week deal with a “cheery” subject: rejection. In the first reading, Ezekiel is called by God to minister to the exiles in Babylon. But God warns him that they may not accept him or his message. It was their defiance and lack of faith that landed them in exile, and they are still, God says, “obstinate of heart” and a “rebellious house.”

July 4, 2012 - The readings this week deal with a “cheery” subject: rejection. In the first reading, Ezekiel is called by God to minister to the exiles in Babylon. But God warns him that they may not accept him or his message. It was their defiance and lack of faith that landed them in exile, and they are still, God says, “obstinate of heart” and a “rebellious house.”

July 27, 2012 - Death is a natural part of life. But from a spiritual standpoint death is an alien intruder who entered the world through the devil’s envy (first reading).  Made in the image and likeness of God man was originally immortal. The reading from Wisdom echoes the first chapters of Genesis where death follows man’s disobedience brought about by the devil’s malice.  Death is the ultimate symbol of man’s alienation from God, something only God himself can overcome, as is evident in this week’s Gospel.

June 20, 2012 - The birth of St. John the Baptist marked the beginning of the Messianic age. Malachi, the last prophet in the Old Testament, foresaw the day —the Day of the Lord—when God would send ‘Elijah’ to prepare the way for Christ. John the Baptist was the new Elijah who fulfilled Malachi’s prediction (Matthew 17:12).

June 6, 2012 - The mystery of God can be known through the sacrament of his most precious body and blood. 

May 23, 2012 - The Holy Spirit is the life of the Church and of each member.  Through the sacraments, especially the Eucharist, we receive God's very own life into our souls.

May 16, 2012 - Christ's ascension opens up to us new horizons of existence, reminding us that there's more to life than meets the eye.

May 9, 2012 - In a world plagued by violence and hatred, cynicism and despair, the message that “God is love” is one that desperately needs to be heard.
 

May 2, 2012 - It is vital that we stay connected to Christ for it’s only through him that we receive the life-giving Spirit who enables us to grow in faith and love.  We know we’re supposed to “love one another” but without the grace of God, that’s impossible.

June 1, 2011 - In his Ascension Jesus does not “go away” but rather enters into a higher mode of existence in which he is present in much deeper way. The Ascension of Jesus marks the beginning of a new chapter in salvation history. Through the Church, which is his body, Christ is present to the world in new way.

May 25, 2011 - As we come to the end of the Easter season, the readings shift from the Resurrection to the coming of the Holy Spirit. In some parts of the world, Christians are intimidated, harassed, beaten and sometimes even killed just because they are Christians. We may not suffer violent persecution, but in society where “the dictatorship of relativism” overshadows everything, bearing witness to the truth, even the very idea of truth, can be challenging.

May 18, 2011 - Jesus Christ came to earth not only to die for our sins, but to establish his kingdom by building a spiritual house of living stones. He came to establish the Church.

May 11, 2011 - This edition explores the readings for Sunday, May 15, the Fourth Sunday of Easter. As Catholics, we believe that our bishops are divinely instituted to carry out the ministry of the Good Shepherd. This week say a special prayer for all priests and bishops...

May 4, 2011 - This reflection is for Sunday, May 8, 2011, the Third Sunday of Easter. The liturgy of the word and the Eucharist are inseparable. The homilist should always strive to show the connection and catechize the faithful by “breaking open the word” for them. But we must do our part, too. Attentive listening and active participation are necessary. If you want to get the most out of Mass and the homily, spend some time reflecting on the Sunday readings sometime during the week, preferably in front of the Blessed Sacrament.

April 27, 2011 - This weekend (April 30-May 1) we not only celebrate the unfathomable mercy of God who showed himself once more to the apostles, we also celebrate the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Some people want physical proof before they’ll believe in God. John Paul II’s heroic witness to the mercy of God, as with all the saints, is a resounding testimony to the truth of the Gospel.

April 20, 2011 - Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011: Each year during the Easter season the first reading is always taken from the Acts of the Apostles. Acts is a continuation of the narrative that began with the Gospel of Luke. It tells the story of the early Church from the ascension of Jesus in Jerusalem to Paul’s imprisonment in Rome about 30 years later.

April 12, 2011 - Sunday, April 17 is Palm Sunday. With his triumphant entry into Jerusalem Jesus makes an unmistakable claim to Davidic royalty (see 1 Kings 1:33-40). Cheers of jubilation, however, quickly turn to jeers of derision as Jesus defied the traditional expectations of the Messiah as a national hero like David or Solomon.

April 6, 2011 - Sunday, April 10 marks the Fifth Sunday of Lent. All three readings this week revolve around the theme of death and resurrection, thus preparing us for Holy Week.

March 30, 2011 - Sunday, April 3 marks the Fourth Sunday of Lent. This Sunday marks the second Scrutiny for those who will be baptized at Easter.  We pray that the elect may not only receive the light of faith but also the courage to profess that faith in amidst an unbelieving and sometimes hostile world.

March 23, 2011 - Water is one of the most beautiful symbols of the Holy Spirit. The divine life is poured into hearts every time we receive the sacraments. Baptism, which the catechism calls the “gateway” to all the other sacraments, is just the beginning of the spiritual life.

March 16, 2011 - James Cavanagh is the director of Evangelization and Catechesis for Metro-Area Parishes of the Denver Archdiocese. His weekly column, "Breaking Open the Word," is syndicated by the Denver Catholic Register, official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Denver. Click here to visit the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Denver. Here are his reflections for the Second Sunday of Lent, March 20, 2011.

March 9, 2011 - James Cavanagh is the director of Evangelization and Catechesis for Metro-Area Parishes of the Denver Archdiocese. His weekly column, "Breaking Open the Word," is syndicated by the Denver Catholic Register, official newspaper of the Archdiocese of Denver. Click here to visit the Office of Evangelization & Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Denver. Here are his reflections for the First Sunday of Lent, March 13, 2011.