The Wedding Feast of Cana 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time (C); January 19, 2025 Is 62:1-5. Ps 96. 1 Cor 12:4-11. Jn 2:1-11 Deacon Jim McFadden The Gospel recounts the familiar episode of the Wedding Feast of Cana, where Jesus transforms water into wine. At first blush, we quickly jump to the conclusion that…
The Baptism of the Lord (C); January 12, 2025 Is 42:1-4,6-7. Ps 29. Acts 10:34-38. Lk 3:15-16,21-22 Deacon Jim McFadden Today’s Gospel shows us the scene in which Jesus’ public ministry begins: he, who is the Son of God and the Messiah, goes to the banks of the Jordan River to be baptized by…
The Epiphany of the Lord (C); January 5, 2025 Is 60:1-6. Ps 72. Eph 3:2-3. Mt 2:1-12 Deacon Jim McFadden Several years ago, Pope Francis said, “Let us never forget this: the journey of faith finds renewed strength and fulfillment only when it is made in the presence of God.” Let’s unpack that quote…
Astonishment and Anxiety: Do I experience both in relationship to Jesus? The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (C); 12-29-24 Sir 3:2-6,12-14. Ps 128. Col 3:12-21. Lk 2:41-52 Deacon Jim McFadden Today we are celebrating The Feast of the Holy Family, which invites us to reflect on the experience of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus,…
Do I experience both in relationship to Jesus? The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (C); 12-29-24 Sir 3:2-6,12-14. Ps 128. Col 3:12-21. Lk 2:41-52 Deacon Jim McFadden Today we are celebrating The Feast of the Holy Family, which invites us to reflect on the experience of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus, united by the…
Christmas (C) ; 12-25-2024 Is 9:1-6. Ps 96. Ti 2:11-14. Lk 2:1-14 Deacon Jim McFadden Christmas celebrates God’s overwhelming desire to be united with us. Sometimes we wonder, why does he bother? He’s perfect—he doesn’t need anything since he is the great I AM. The Psalmist wondered the same thing, when he intoned, “What…
4th Sunday of Advent (C); 12-22-2024 Mi 5:1-4a. Ps 80. Heb 10:5-10. Lk 1:39-45 Deacon Jim McFadden The Old Testament foretells the Good News of salvation history which is fulfilled in the New Testament. It’s important to keep in mind that the Gospel writers did not write in a linear fashion, but more in a…
Third Sunday of Advent (C); December 15, 2024 Zep 3:14-18a. (Ps) Is 12. Phil 4:4-7. Lk 3:10-18 Deacon Jim McFadden Last Sunday, John the Baptist, the precursor to the Messiah, called us to repentance, to conversion which is a necessary condition if we are to receive the Good News. Continuing the 3rd chapter of…
2nd Sunday of Advent (C); December 8, 2024 Bar 5:1-9. Ps 126. Phil 1:4-6,8-11. Lk 3:1-6 Deacon Jim McFadden The beginning of Luke’s gospel chapter 3 seems a bit pedestrian. As we plow through all the details of rulers and their territories, we feel a bit impatient with all this historical detail. If Luke…
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); October 11, 2026 Is 25:6-10a. Ps 23. Phil 4:12-20. Mt 22:1-14 Deacon Jim McFadden The parable we hear in today’s Gospel tells us a lot about the Kingdom of God, which is likened…
27th Sunday of Ordinary Time (A); October 4, 2026 Is 5:1-7. Ps 80. Phil 4:6-9. Mt 21:33-43 Deacon Jim McFadden The parable about the mismanagement of the vineyard tells us a lot about the Kingdom of God, the choices we…
26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); September 27, 2026 Ez 18:25-28. Ps 25. Phil 2:1-11. Mt 21:28-3 Deacon Jim McFadden In a past issue of the Catholic Herald (September/October 2020), the newsmagazine for the Diocese of Sacramento, there is a…
