4th Sunday of Lent (B); 3-14-2021 2 Chr 36:14-16,19-23. Ps 137. Eph 2:4-10. Jn 3:14-21 Deacon Jim McFadden Today is the 4th Sunday of Lent, a.k.a. “Laetare”, that is, “rejoice,” because the opening antiphon of the Eucharistic liturgy invites us to that joy: “Rejoice, Jerusalem—“Be joyful, all who were in mourning.” This is how…
3rd Sunday of Lent (B); 3-7-2021 Ex 20:1-17. Ps 19. 1 Cor 1:22-25. Jn 2:13-25 Deacon Jim McFadden In today’s Gospel, in the second chapter of John, Jesus goes to the temple in Jerusalem and finds merchants selling oxen, sheep, and doves to sacrifice as well as money-changers sitting at their tables. Using a…
2nd Sunday of Lent (B); 2-28-2021 Gen 22:1-2,9a, 10-13. Ps 116. Rom 8:31b-6:34. Mk 9:2-10 Deacon Jim McFadden During the 2nd Sunday of Lent we come across a most troubling story in the first reading that is traditionally called the “Binding of Isaac.” The story is terrible, not just because it involves human sacrifice,…
1st Sunday of Lent (B); 2-21-2021 Gn 9:8-15. Ps 25. 1 Pet 3:18-22. Mk 1:12-15 Deacon Jim McFadden Each year the Church admonishes us to turn our faces once again to the mystery and heart of our faith: The Paschal Mystery of the living, dying, and rising of Jesus and our own living, dying,…
6th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B); February 14, 2021 Lv 13:1-2,44-46. Ps 32. 1 Cor 10:31—11:1. Mk 1:40-45 Deacon Jim McFadden The last few Sundays, we have encountered Jesus, the Divine Physician of our bodies and souls. He was sent into our world plagued by dissension, alienation, dysfunction, and social injustice of every sort—all…
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B); 2-7-2021 Job 7:1-7. Ps 147. 1 Cor 9:16-23. Mk 1:29-39 Deacon Jim McFadden Pope Francis often describes the Church as a “field hospital” of wounded, broken, sinful people who are in need of healing. While it is difficult to admit, all of us are spiritually sick who need…
4th Sunday of Ordinary Time (B); 1-31-2021 Dt 18:15-20. Ps 95. 1 Cor 7:32-35. Mk 1:21-28 Deacon Jim McFadden This Sunday’s Gospel reading (cf. Mk 1:21-28) narrates the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry in which he breaks into the world of illusion and of the demonic through his powerful word and deed. Our world,…
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B); 1-24-2021 Jon 3:1-5,10. Ps 25. 1 Cor 7:29-31. Mk 1:14-21 Deacon Jim McFadden Nearly twenty years ago, I was preparing an inmate at Folsom Minimum Security Facility for his confirmation on Christmas day, which was presided by then Auxiliary Bishop Richard Garcia (may he Rest in Peace). He…
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (B); 1-17-2021 1 Sam 3:3-10, 19. Ps 42. 1 Cor 6:13-15, 17-20. Jn 1:35-43 Deacon Jim McFadden The spiritual writer and poet John O’Donohue once wrote, “When you listen with your soul, you come into rhythm and unity with the music of the universe” (Anam Cara—Spiritual Wisdom of the…
The Baptism of the Lord (B); 1-10-2021 Is 42: 1-4,6-7. Ps 29. Acts 10:34-38. Mk 1:7-11 Deacon Jim McFadden Today we are celebrating the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism, which also concludes the Christmas season. Mark’s gospel describes what happens on the bank of the Jordan River. At the time that John the Baptist…
Good Shepherd Sunday (A); April 26, 2026 Acts 2:14,36-41. Ps 23. 1 Pt 2:20-25. Jn 10:1-10 Deacon Jim McFadden Today is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday, which presents us one of the most beautiful images that has portrayed our…
3rd Sunday of Easter (A); April 19, 2026 Acts 2:14,22-33. Ps 16. 1 Pt 1:17-21. Lk 24:13-35 Deacon Jim McFadden Why was it so difficult for the two disciples to recognize the Risen Lord? Jesus’ death scattered his disciples and…
Divine Mercy Sunday (A); April 12, 2026 Acts 2:42-47. Ps 118. 1 Pt 1:3-9. Jn 20:19-31 Deacon Jim McFadden During the ‘90s, a popular, albeit off-beat television show was the X-Files, featuring agent Fox Mulder, an investigator of the…
WWW.DEACONJIM.BLOG 