Pope sets day to honor, study, share the Bible

The newly established “Sunday of the Word of God” is an invitation to Catholics across the world to deepen their appreciation, love and faithful witness to God and his word, Pope Francis said.

Jan. 19: Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

The notion of vocation has evolved in Catholic parlance. Not long ago “having a vocation” meant being destined to become a priest or religious. A dramatic change came at the time of the Second Vatican Council.

Jan. 12: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord

With this Sunday celebrating the baptism of Jesus, the church turns from the Christmas season to “Ordinary Time.” This is a long stretch of Sundays reflecting on the mission of Jesus until we reach Lent.

Jan. 5: Epiphany of the Lord

Sometimes being a Christian means moving against the tide. Judging from current political trends, maintaining a global perspective and seeking to transcend social and economic boundaries might be a Christian stance that is a lot less popular today. England has broken away from the European Economic Union. NATO seems to be a much less cohesive treaty organization than in the past. The United States appears, in some quarters at least, to be reluctant to get tangled in foreign affairs and welcome “strangers.”

Dec. 29: The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph

In his painting “Rest on the Flight into Egypt,” artist Luc Olivier Merson depicts the Holy Family taking refuge in Egypt. The family is camped at night, with Mary and her child cradled in the arms of a sphinx and Joseph sleeping protectively next to a small fire and the tethered donkey that brought them here. (Egyptian Christians, by the way, believe that the Holy Family spent three years in their land, moving as refuges from place to place and sanctifying every part of the land they touched.)

Dec. 22: Fourth Sunday of Advent

My nephew and his wife are expecting a child at the end of February. Please God, this will be their first child to be born. Several months ago, they had suffered through a miscarriage, so this baby is awaited with intense joy and hope.

Dec. 15: Third Sunday of Advent

The fiery prophet John had challenged the ruler, Herod Antipas (the son of Herod the Great), a despot known for his cruelty and promiscuous lifestyle. As a result, John was arrested and imprisoned in the desert fortress of Machaerus, awaiting execution that would come later in the Gospel account. John knew of Jesus’ reputation and his mission, but perhaps his dire confinement triggered doubts and so he sends some of his disciples to question Jesus: “Are you the one? Or should we look for another?”

Dec. 8: Second Sunday of Advent

In his letter to the Romans cited in our second reading for this Sunday, Paul affirms that the Scriptures were written for our instruction, “that by endurance and by the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” In many ways, Paul defined the meaning of Advent. Endurance and hope are two virtues that stand at the heart of the Christian life and are essential for human thriving.

Dec. 1: First Sunday of Advent

This first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of a new liturgical year. It is also the year of Matthew’s Gospel when the worldwide church will hear passages each Sunday from this great Gospel.

Nov. 24: The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

With Advent beginning next week, this Sunday is the big finale to the church’s yearlong liturgical calendar, and it ends with a burst of sheer praise for Jesus, the “king of the universe.”
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