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The Word today, PentecostC

  • Writer: Admin
    Admin
  • Jun 7, 2025
  • 2 min read

June 09 - June 14, 2025


Saint Columba (Colum Cille), abbot


Colossians 1:24-29 The readings are special for the feast. St Columba was known for the practice of severe penance. The reading from Colossians sheds spiritual light on physical sufferings.


Mark 10:17-30 This reading too is chosen to reflect on the life of St Columb. He chose a life of great simplicity, even deprivation, first of all in Ireland and later on on the beautiful and remote island of Iona.


St Ephraim, deacon and doctor of the church.


2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Here is a wonderful passages, in its simplicity and directness: God’s “yes” to us all in Jesus.


Matthew 5:13-18 How am I called to be salt? Even more, how am I called to be the light of the world?


St Barnabas, apostle


Acts 11:21-26, 13:1-3 Passages from two different chapters present the mission and ministry of St Barnabas — clearly an important figure in the first phase of the Pauline mission.


Matthew 5:17-19 This is a tricky passage to handle. The community sees itself as authentically Jewish and therefore the Torah is to be observed and not set aside. However, some new did take place in Jesus and the Torah is to be applied differently as a result.



2 Corinthians 3:15-4:1, 3-6 Paul is reflecting on things which hinder his fellow Jews from reading Scripture. The last sentence is wonderful, joining creation and resurrection.


Matthew 5:20-26 This severe Gospel invites us to go beyond mere external observances and to notices what is happening in our hearts.


St Anthony of Padua, priest and religious


2 Corinthians 4:7-15 Paul only too well aware of his human frailty. And yet, his very weakness allows the power of the Gospel to shine through him.


Matthew 5:27-32 Matthew insists on the journey inwards! He teaches that whatever hinders our full response to grace should be set aside. He know very well that the problem is not physical — my eye or my right hand — and in any case, one can’t keep lopping off limbs! It is the examination of the heart that counts.


St Davnet, virgin


2 Corinthians 5:14-21 The opening sentence — a little long — lays the foundation for the practical teaching to follow. As we have been reconciled with God, let us be bearers of reconciliation ourselves.


Matthew 5:33-37 This Gospel passage — no doubt valuable in its own day — must have a special relevance for us today when truth is under siege. We learn even as children that words can be used to distort and shift blame. Perhaps we can still learn as adults that the truth will set us free.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025ax, June 8). Pentecost Sunday. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060825.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings


 
 
 

The Word today, Easter7C

  • Writer: Admin
    Admin
  • Jun 3, 2025
  • 3 min read


June 02 - June 07, 2025


Sts Marcellinus and Peters, martyrs


Acts 19:1-8 Followers of John the Baptist who did not believe in Jesus as Messiah continued to exist for a long time.


John 16:29-33 Although Jesus speaks plainly throughout this Gospel (unlike in Mark), nevertheless the slow journey of the disciples is registered. The overall tone is one of encouragement.


St Kevin, abbot


Acts 20:17-27 Today’s reading is a very touching scene: the final farewell of Paul to the faithful of Ephesus. It offers a kind of apologia for the Pauline mission.


John 17:1-11 Today we hear the start of the final prayer from the Farewell Discourse. It is, of course, a prayer; but it is also a kind of summing of the teaching so far and a looking forward to the time after the resurrection. You may notice the typical “defnition” of eternal life: And eternal life is this: to know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.


Sts Charles Lwanga and his Companions, Martyrs


Acts 20:28-38 Paul’s last speech to the elders in Ephesus is full of still valid and good advice and the very last moment is very moving.


John 17:11-19 “Glorify” may sound strange to us, as if Jesus were looking for some kind of vain recognition. In this Gospel, however, to glorify point to the cross; specifically, it means that the heart of God, God’s inner identity, is disclosed in Jesus’ death and resurrection.


St Boniface, bishop and martyr


Acts 22:30, 23:6-11 “Divide and conquer” is an old rule and Paul uses it cannily in today’s vignette. Paradoxically, Paul is “rescued” by the very officials who hold him prisoner.


John 17:20-26 This heartfelt prayer will touch us all. Although conflict is normal, at every level, it cannot be normative. Therefore, we strive for forgiveness, reconciliation and true fellowing or oneness. May this great prayer be ours today!


St Norbert, bishop St Jarlath, bishop


Acts 25:13-21 A key event in the life of Paul is recounted. He was under arrest in Caesarea. As a Roman citizen, he makes the fateful appeal to the emperor.


John 21:15-19 Because our reading of John is coming to a close as the Easter Season ends, the lectionary takes us forward to chapter 21. Here we read of the restoration of Peter. In the background, there is an oblique reminder of his betrayal (charcoal1). But in the foreground stands the high call to love and the fundamental call to follow.


St Colman of Dromore, bishop


Acts 28:16-20, 30-31 Today we hear the very last scene in Acts of the Apostles, drawing Luke’s magnificent two volume work to a close. How does he choose to end? He shows Paul, under house arrest, still proclaiming Jesus. Very last word (in Greek) is “unhindered” — an invitation to the readers to continue the work today.


John 21:20-25 Our Gospel today is the second ending of John’s Gospel. It is clear that by now, the great spiritual leader of the community (represented in the text as the Beloved Disciple) has died, causing distress and consternation. Finally, the writer frankly admits that he has selected stories in the Gospel.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025at, June 1). Seventh Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060125-Sunday.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings


 
 
 

The Word today, Easter6C

  • Writer: Admin
    Admin
  • May 24, 2025
  • 3 min read


May 26 - May 31, 2025


St Philip Neri, priest and religious


Acts 16:11-15 Today we hear of the founding of Paul’s first community in Europe. Philippians shows just how warm relationship became after these simple beginnings.


John 15:26-16:4 The word “paraclete,” strange to us, means literally the one who pleads alongside (someone). This is very like the Pauline vision of the Spirit helping us in our weakness. John’s Gospel, however, adds two extra dimensions, noticed in today’s Gospel: witnessing and remembering.


St Augustine of Canterbury


Acts 16:22-34 In biblical language, an earthquake symbolises the presence and action of God. In this extraordinary story, a truly astonishing reversal takes place.


John 16:5-11 Our Gospel reflects on the meaning of Jesus’ departure (death): it signals and enables the gift of the Spirit in a completely new way.



Acts 17:15, 22-18:1 One expression from this reading is often quoted: it is in him that we live, and move, and have our being. The context for this marvellous affirmation is set-piece confrontation between Paul and the philosophers of Athens.


John 16:12-15 We are more aware, perhaps, than other generations of the importance of memory for our well-being and stability as individuals. It is important for us as believers as well and, fortunately, we are not alone. The Holy Spirit guides us not simply to retain the past but to live the future of our faith.


St Paul VI, bishop of Rome


Acts 18:1-8 We may be tempted to think of Paul as operating on his own, but today we meet some of his wider team. Priscilla and Aquila were great supporters in friendship, hospitality and finance.


John 16:16-20 Our reading today touches a central part of the Farewell Discourse. This kind of writing acknowledges the transition of Jesus, so that he will no longer be with his disciples has he had been. At the same time, it opens to up different relationship after the resurrection. The words of the risen Jesus to Mary Magdalen come to mind: Jesus said to her, “Do not keep holding on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17; NRSV adjusted).



Acts 18:9-18 Enemies try to get the governor of Corinth to act against Paul, but Gallio sees through the ploy and dismisses the case. Gallio was governor from winter AD 51 to spring 52, so this scene helps us to put a date on Paul’s first visit to Corinth. Gallio’s brother was the better known philosopher Seneca.


John 16:20-23 In the Gospel of John there is very little “tension” towards the future, unlike other New Testament documents. Today’s reading, however, is an exception. We even find a standing metaphor from apocalyptic: labour pains. The insistent use of “joy” tells us what the Gospel writing has in mind.


Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary


Zephaniah 3:14-18 The note of joy at the coming of the Lord anticipates today’s Gospel, with its own note of joy at the coming of Jesus.


Luke 1:39-56 This gospel passage — like others in Luke — has inspired Christian prayer. In this case, the Hail Mary and the Magnificat.


References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2025aq, May 25). Sixth Sunday of Easter. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/052525.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings


 
 
 
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