feasting on the word
"If you meditate on the Scriptures it will appear to you in its brilliant splendor." ―St. Pio of Pietrelcina
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Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) 1 Samuel 26:2, 7-9, 12-13, 22-23 | Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 8, 10, 12-13 | 1 Corinthians 15:45-49 | Luke 6:27-38  After this reflection, we’ll be praying the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, which affirms the four marks of the true Church: One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic. But if these are the marks of the Church, what about its members? What truly makes someone a Catholic? Is it being pro-life and against divorce? Attending Latin Mass or creative liturgies? Joining prayer meetings and Bible studies? Praying 2,000 Hail Mary’s or doing novena marathons? Wearing uniforms and collecting parish group memberships? Does being close friends with the parish priest make you a better Catholic than others? What defines a real Catholic? This weekend’s readings—from the prophet Samuel, St. Paul, and the Gospel of Luke—give us the answer: loving our enemies. A true Catholic embraces everyone, even those they disagree with or struggle to get along with. Let’s reflect on these readings and ask for the grace to love and forgive as Christ did.
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Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) Jeremiah 17:5-8 | Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4, 6 | 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16-20 | Luke 6:17, 20-26  The readings for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to embrace the challenge of the Beatitudes, leading us to a life of true blessedness. They call us to witness to the world the essence of genuine happiness and the profound joy that comes from living in accordance with God's will.
Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (C) Isaiah 6:1-2a,3-8 | Psalm 138:1-5,7-8 | 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 | Luke 5:1-11  The readings for this Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time invite us to reflect on our journey as disciples and how we respond to God’s call each day. We see three great servants of God—Isaiah, Paul, and Peter—grappling with their own unworthiness. Isaiah acknowledges his unclean lips, recognizing his sinfulness before God. Paul humbly admits that it was only by God's grace, not his own efforts, that he became an apostle. Peter, overwhelmed by Jesus' divine power and goodness, becomes deeply aware of his own shortcomings. Their stories remind us that no one is truly worthy on their own, but God calls and strengthens those who are willing to follow Him.
Feast of the Presentation of the Lord (C) Malachi 3:1-4 | Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10 | Hebrews 2:14-18 | Luke 2:22-40  Today, February 2, we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, also known as Candlemas, which falls 40 days after Christmas. On this day, Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the temple to follow the law of Moses. In the Eastern tradition, this feast is called Hypapánte, or the Feast of the Encounter, because the Baby Jesus (representing the New Testament) meets Simeon and Anna (representing the Old Testament). Let’s take a moment to reflect on this weekend’s readings from Malachi, Hebrews, and Luke.
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About JeffJeff Jacinto, PhD, DHum |
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