Reflections on the lectionary readings for Sunday Mass
Today, Jesus tells His disciples that there is empty fear and worthy fear. How will they know the difference? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 10:26-33) The tenth chapter of Matthew’s Gospel begins with Jesus calling the Twelve apostles. Then, He sends them out to preach the Good News He’s going to teach them. He […]
Read more "Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (A)—June 25, 2017"When Jesus ascended to Heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to His followers to give them the divine life of the Trinity. Why, then, did He also give them a meal of Bread and Wine to attain eternal life? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Jn 6:51-58) Our Easter lectionary readings moved us through Christ’s Resurrection, […]
Read more "The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, Year A—June 18, 2017"On this first Sunday after Pentecost, the Church calls us to remember the Most Holy Trinity. Why is this perfect timing? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Jn 3:16-18) Today’s Gospel is different from any we have seen during the long seasons of Lent and Easter. On Sunday after Sunday, the Gospels have reported actions of […]
Read more "Trinity Sunday, Year A—June 11, 2017"On Resurrection Day, Jesus breathed on His disciples, a gesture odd in itself but packed with meaning for our celebration of Pentecost today. By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Jn 20:19-23) Today’s Gospel tells us that Jesus surprised the disciples “on the evening of that first day of the week” by appearing in their midst without […]
Read more "Pentecost Sunday, Year A—June 4, 2017"Ascension Sunday presents a paradox: Jesus leaves His apostles for Heaven, but He assures them He is always with them. What kind of departure was this? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Mt 28:16-20) Today’s Gospel records the end of Jesus’ forty days of post-Resurrection appearances and teaching. The account of what actually happened during those […]
Read more "The Ascension of Our Lord, Year A—May 28, 2017"Today’s readings deepen our understanding of the mystery of Easter: Christ rose from the dead to live His life again in us. By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Jn 14:15-21) Today we continue in Jesus’ Last Supper Discourse with the Twelve. He is speaking forthrightly to His friends about an imminent change in their three-year jaunt […]
Read more "Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year A—May 21, 2017"In today’s Gospel, we see the apostles as dense as they can possibly be, yet Jesus promises: “You will do the works that I do…and greater ones.” Really? By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Jn 14:1-14) Today’s reading comes in the context of the Last Supper Discourse (Jn 13-17), when Jesus speaks to the Twelve more […]
Read more "Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A—May 14, 2017"Today’s readings teach us about the care of sheep—they need a gate to protect their sheepfold, a shepherd who will lead them to good pasture, and ears to hear the Voice they should follow. By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Jn 10:1-10) Today’s reading is best understood within its context in John’s Gospel. In the previous […]
Read more "Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year A"Today’s Gospel records a post-Resurrection appearance of Jesus in which a flow of mercy to sinners starts that will not stop until we have all attained the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls, as St. Peter tells us in the epistle. By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Jn 20:19-31) The celebration of our […]
Read more "Second Sunday of Easter, Year A (Divine Mercy Sunday)—April 23, 2017"Today’s Gospel describes an absence that confounds the disciples, preparing them for the Presence their hearts desire. By Gayle Somers Gospel (Read Jn 20:1-9) On Palm Sunday, the narrative of our Lord’s Passion ended with these words: “So they [the chief priests and Pharisees] went and secured the tomb by fixing a seal to the […]
Read more "Easter Sunday, Year A—April 16, 2017"