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Reflections

Reflections

Fourth Sunday of Advent ~ December 24

Posted by Ray Lodato

Today’s Gospel is the wonderful story of the Annunciation of the Angel Gabriel to Mary. Over the years we have seen many artistic renditions of the Annunciation story. Take a moment today, before the festivities of Christmas get underway, to pray with your favorite image of this story and ... Read More »

Third Sunday of Advent ~ Gaudete Sunday ~ December 17

Posted by Ray Lodato

The Scripture readings of this third week of Advent are filled with encouragement and joy. What words from Scripture caught your attention today? “The Spirit of God is upon me. ..” “Rejoice always.” “In all circumstances give thanks for this is the will of God for you.” “The one ... Read More »

Second Sunday of Advent ~ December 10

Posted by Ray Lodato

The prophet Isaiah instructs us: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” This is what Advent is about and yet, it can be difficult to keep this focus when we are pulled in too many directions by the shopping and cooking and card writing that go with the season. Don’t ... Read More »

First Sunday of Advent ~ December 3

Posted by Ray Lodato

Advent is a season of waiting. All of us are waiting for the coming of Christ and as the Gospel says, “You do not know when the Lord is coming.” Pray for the strength to follow Jesus, to keep Him in mind even though the incessant commercialism of the ... Read More »

The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe ~ November 26

Posted by Ray Lodato

Today’s parable is one of the most vivid parables Jesus spoke. We will not be judged on the knowledge we have amassed, or the fame that we have acquired, or the fortune that we have gained, but on the help that we have given. The lesson is crystal clear ... Read More »

Thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ November 19

Posted by Ray Lodato

God has given each of us different gifts. It is not the number of gifts/talents that matter. What matters is how each one of us uses the gifts God has given. God never demands from us what we do not have; but God does demand that we use to ... Read More »

Thirty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ November 12

Posted by Ray Lodato

The parable in today’s gospel points out the tragedy of unpreparedness. It can be so easy to let our spiritual lives take a back seat to all the pressures in daily life. It is not that we don’t want to pray or go to Confession, or attend Mass. We ... Read More »

Thirty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ November 5

Posted by Ray Lodato

The Scribes and Pharisees made religion all about observing thousands upon thousands of rules and regulations. Jesus scolds the Scribes and Pharisees in today’s gospel for making religion an intolerable burden and warns against following their example. He wants our faith to lift us up not weigh us down. ... Read More »

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ October 29

Posted by Ray Lodato

Jesus doesn’t mince words in today’s gospel. “The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments” - love God with your whole being and love your neighbor as yourself. There is no wiggle room in how we are to behave and how we are to treat one ... Read More »

Twenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time ~ October 22

Posted by Ray Lodato

St. Paul writes of his gratitude for the community at Thessalonica in the second reading today. He offers a prayer of thanksgiving for them remembering their works of faith and labors of love. His words of encouragement kept the community engaged in the work of promoting the faith and ... Read More »