Category: past Deacon Mike’s Weekly Reflections

First Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 Other translations will say a “year of favor”. In the book of Leviticus, this is referred to as “the jubilee year”. When, then, your countryman becomes so Read More …

First Reading: Nehemiah 8:2-4a, 5-6, 8-10Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-30Gospel: Luke 1:1-4; 4:14-21 Today’s gospel of the Wedding Feast at Cana is the third Sunday in a row, where Jesus reveals Himself, i.e. an Epiphany. Two weeks ago, Jesus revealed Read More …

First Reading: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7Second Reading: Acts 10:34-38Gospel: Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 Today’s celebration of the Baptism of the Lord closes our Christmas season, and it marks the start of Jesus’ public ministry. Sound familiar? Indeed, as at our Baptism, we Read More …

First Reading: Isaiah 60:1-6Second Reading: Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6Gospel: Matthew 2:1-12 In today’s gospel we read: “And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, until it came and stopped over the place where the child was. Read More …

First Reading: Sirach 3:2-6, 12-14Second Reading: Col 3:12-21Gospel: Luke 2:41-52 What is the purpose of the Feast of the Holy Family? Why do we celebrate this feast, the Sunday after Christmas? Today’s Feast of the Holy Family, occurring right after Read More …

First Reading: Micah 5:1-4aSecond Reading: Hebrews 10:5-10Gospel: Luke 1:39-45 Today’s gospel provides the Scriptural basis for the 2nd Joyous Mystery of the rosary, the Visitation. Mary was the first bearer of Jesus to others. This was more than a simple Read More …

First Reading: Zephaniah 3:14-18aSecond Reading: Philippians 4:4-7Gospel: Luke 3:10-18 Perhaps you have at least once been driving behind someone who left their turn signal on…you are at first expecting him/her to change lanes or make a turn…but after awhile, you Read More …

First Reading: Baruch 5:1-9Second Reading: Philippians 1:4-6, 8-11Gospel: Luke 3:1-6 Preparation and planning are an important part of celebrations in our lives… Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays, weddings etc. We may spend countless hours to make them special. John the Baptist preached Read More …