The Word today, PentecostC
- Admin
- Jun 7
- 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
Comments