God's Word for Today (Scripture Reflections)

  Sunday 17 November 2024 – XXXIII Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) Mass Readings: Dan 12:1-3    Ps 15    Heb 10:11-14.18    Mk 13:24-32 Key Verse to Meditate: Then they will see 'the Son of Man coming in clouds' with great power and glory (Mk 13:26). Preparing for the Reign of Christ the King Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, As we approach the end of the liturgical year, our hearts are drawn toward the solemnity of Christ the King-a celebration of Jesus’ ultimate authority and loving reign over all creation. Last Sunday, we reflected on two profound examples of faith and generosity: the widow of Zarephath, who shared her last bit of flour and oil with the prophet Elijah, and the widow in the Gospel, who offered her two small coins to God, giving everything she had. This Sunday, the Gospel shifts our focus to Jesus’ prophetic vision of the future. The imagery is striking-frightening yet profoundly instructive. Through the parable of the fig tree, Jesus emphasi

  Sunday 10 November 2024- XXXII Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B) Mass Readings: 1Kgs 17:10-16    Ps 145    Heb 9:24-28    Mk 12:38-44 Key verse to meditate: Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury (Mk 12:43). My dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, This Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time invites us to reflect on the powerful figure of the poor widow who made a humble yet profound contribution to the temple treasury. The Liturgy of the Word this Sunday introduces us to two remarkable widows, each a model of faith and generosity. In the first reading, we encounter the widow of Zarephath, who, by obeying the word of the Lord, provided for the prophet Elijah during a time of severe drought. Similarly, in today’s Gospel, we see another poor widow who offered everything she had to live on in the temple treasury, holding nothing back. In these two women, God takes notice of the poor and the generous-hearted, showi

                                             The First and Greatest Commandment Sunday 3 November 2024 – XXXI Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) Mass Readings: Deut 6:2-6    Ps 18     Heb 7:23-28    Mk 12:28-34 Key Verse to Meditate: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength' (Mk 12:30). Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, On this Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, the Liturgy of the Word brings us to reflect on the heart of God’s commandments, emphasizing the importance of love as the core of our relationship with God and others. Today’s readings touch upon the first commandment of the Law, calling us to love God with all we are and to extend that love to our neighbor. In the first reading, we encounter the Shema prayer from the Book of Deuteronomy (6:4-9), an essential declaration of faith in Israel. For devout Jews, these words are central to daily life, recited every day as a testame