19th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); August 7, 2022 Wis 18:6-9. Ps 33. Heb 11:1-2,8-19. Lk 12:32-48 Deacon Jim McFadden Many of our Gospel readings this summer have been about the Call to Discipleship. Today’s passage notes that once we’ve made the transition from the Ego-drama (my life is about me) to the Theo-drama…
18th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); 7-31-2022 Eccl 1:2;2:21-23. Ps 95. Col 3:1-5,9-11. Lk 12:13-21 Deacon Jim McFadden During the early ‘60s, the folk-rock group, The Byrds, had a mega-hit called Turn! Turn! Turn! which was adapted from the third chapter of Ecclesiastes. I found the song to be riveting, which encouraged me to…
17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); 7-24-2022 Gn 18:20-32. Ps 138. Col 2:12-14. Lk 11:1-13 Deacon Jim McFadden The Our Father is probably the prayer most often prayed throughout the world. Within the Catholic Church, it is prayed twice during the Liturgy of the Hours—at Lauds and Vespers—which doesn’t include being recited at Holy…
15th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); July 10, 2022 Dt 30:10-14. Ps 69. Col 1:15-20. Lk 10:25-37 Deacon Jim McFadden In nature the laws of physics apply everywhere, whether it’s here on Earth or the outer reaches of the cosmos—they’re no escaping them. What would happen, for example, if you denied the Law of…
14th Sunday of Ordinary Time (C); 7-03-2022 Is 66:10-14. Ps 66. Gal 6:14-18. Lk 10:1-12,17-20 Deacon Jim McFadden Today’s Gospel is about a people who are on a journey—specifically, one of mission. Moreover, not just any people, but 72 disciples to be exact, in addition to the 12 Apostles. Why 72? The number 72…
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C); 6-26-2022 1 Kgs 19:16b,19-21. Ps 16. Gal 5:1,13-18. Lk 9:51-62 Deacon Jim McFadden Kris Kristofferson’s classic song, Me and Bobby McGee, made famous by Janis Joplin, penned that famous line, “Freedom’s just another word for nothin’ left to lose,” which became a rallying cry for the ‘60s generation. …
The Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (C); 6-23-2022 Gn 14:18-20. Ps 110. 1 Cor 11:23-26. Lk 9:11-17 Deacon Jim McFadden During the Easter season, a major concern in the Sunday Scripture readings was how the movement begun by Jesus of Nazareth would continue after his Death, Resurrection, and Ascension. Since he is…
Solemnity of the Feast of Pentecost; June 5, 2022 Acts 2:1-11. Ps 104. 1 Cor 12:3-7,12-13. Jn 14:15-16,23-26 Deacon Jim McFadden Today, we reflect and re-live the liturgy of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit sent by the Risen Christ upon the Church. I say “re-live” this event because when we listen to the…
6th Sunday of Easter (C); May 22, 2022 Acts 15:1-2, 22-29. Ps 67. Rv 21:10-14. Jn 14:23-29 Deacon Jim McFadden In today’s Gospel, we heard a passage from Jesus’ farewell discourses. Our Lord is giving his last thoughts as a spiritual guide to the Apostles before he enters his Passion and Death. Today’s reading…
The Ascension of the Lord; May 29, 2022 Acts 1:1-11. Ps 47. Eph 1:17-23. Lk 24:46-53 Deacon Jim McFadden Today we are celebrating the Ascension of Jesus into Heaven, which occurred 40 days after the Resurrection and is the culmination of the Easter season in which Jesus is “lifted up” to full participation in…
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…
