Sunday's Readings

SUNDAY’S READINGS | February 5, 2023 Isa. 58:1-9a (9b-12) Ps. 112:1-9 (10) 1 Cor. 2:1-12 (13-16) Matt. 5:13-20 Jesus comes not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. This requires, he suggests, observance even of the smallest details — “not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished” (Matt. 5:18). Jesus is not commending a … [Read more...] about 5 Epiphany, Year A: A True Interpretation

SUNDAY’S READINGS | January 29, 2023 Micah 6:1-8 Ps. 15 1 Cor. 1:18-31 Matt. 5:1-12 The Old Testament prophets tell us again and again that social and economic injustice is an affront to human dignity and a denial of the sovereign claim God makes upon our lives. Listen to the prophet Micah speaking for God: “O my people, what have I done to you? In what have I wearied … [Read more...] about 4 Epiphany, Year A: What the Lord Requires

SUNDAY’S READINGS | January 22, 2023 Isa. 9:1-4 Ps. 27:1, 5-13 1 Cor. 1:10-18 Matt. 4:12-23 An Old Testament prophecy finds its fulfillment. Isaiah speaks on behalf of God, saying, “In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee … [Read more...] about 3 Epiphany, Year A: True Light

SUNDAY’S READINGS | January 15, 2023 Isa. 49:1-7 Ps. 40:1-12 1 Cor. 1:1-9 John 1:29-42 In union with Christ, we are bold to say, “Our Father who art in heaven.” We say these words as the adopted sons and daughters of God in whom Christ dwells. Christ himself prays in us to the Father. Our prayer is first his, and so we pray confidently and boldly, knowing that all our … [Read more...] about 2 Epiphany, Year A: Night

SUNDAY’S READINGS | January 1, 2023 Num. 6:22-27 Ps. 8 Gal. 4:4-7 or Phil. 2:5-11 Luke 2:15-21 This Sunday bears an important title: The Holy Name of our Lord. Giving and receiving a name is a way to establish identity, purpose, and order. And its profound significance is well illustrated “in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens” (Gen. 2:4). … [Read more...] about Holy Name Readings: Our Lord Has a Name

SUNDAY’S READINGS | December 25, 2022 Christmas I: Isa. 9:2-7 • Ps. 96 • Titus 2:11-14 • Luke 2:1-14 (15-20) Christmas II: Isa. 62:6-12 • Ps. 97 • Titus 3:4-7 • Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20 Christmas III: Isa. 52:7-10 • Ps. 98 • Heb. 1:1-4 (5-12) • John 1:1-14 Christmas is a festival of joy. It is a moment and season marked out for our renewal as we again joyfully receive the Lord … [Read more...] about Christmas Day Readings: A Great Joy to All People

SUNDAY’S READING | December 18, 2022 Isa. 7:10-16 Ps. 80:1-7, 16-18 Rom. 1:1-7 Matt. 1:18-25 It is first a human story. In the long saga of wars and rumors of wars, Syria has entered an alliance with the northern kingdom of Israel against the southern kingdom of Judah. Ahaz, king of Judah, hears the Lord telling him to ask for a sign: “Let it be deep as Sheol or high as … [Read more...] about 4 Advent, Year A: God-Bearers

SUNDAY’S READINGS | December 11, 2022 Isa. 35:1-10 Ps. 146:4-9 or Cant. 3 or 15 James 5:7-10 Matt. 11:2-11 In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, before the moment of baptism, a child is stripped naked and handed to the priest, who fully immerses the child three times in the name of the Holy Trinity. As the child emerges from the water each time, a splash of water no doubt … [Read more...] about 3 Advent, Year A: A Mysterious Work