Today we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew, one of the original Twelve Apostles selected by Jesus to accompany Him

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. Matthew (September 21, 2020): EPH 4:1-7,11-13; PS 19:2-3,4-5; MT 9:9-13 

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

Certainly all those who followed Christ mustalso have recognized their ownpersonal failings and faults.   

The immeasurable mercy of God for every one of us 

Reflections on the readings for the Twenty-fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 20, 2020): IS 55:6-9; PS 145:2-3,8-9; 17-18; PHIL 1:20-24,27; MT 20:1-16 

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

Even when we think we are being just, we can be small-minded, envious and self-centered.  

Thinking about Christ Crucified...

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14, 2020): NM 21:4-9; PS 78:1-2,34-35,36-37,38; PHIL 2:6-11; JN 3:13-17

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

He came to save the world’s people of every generation for life eternal. 

If we truly want to thank God for forgiving us...  

Reflections on the readings for the Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 13, 2020): SIR 27:30–28:7; PS 103:1-2,3-4,9-10,11-12; ROM 14:7-9; MT 18:21-35 

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

In today’s Psalm, we hear that “Not according to our sins does (the Lord) deal with us, nor does He requite us according to our crimes.

He considered himself the slave of the slaves to whom he ministered

Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of St. Peter Claver (September 9, 2020): 1 COR 7:25-31; PS 45:11-12,14-15,16-17; LK 6:20-26

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

Peter Claver spoke about Christ to those who had probably never heard of Him, showing them the respect and mercy they had been denied. 

We rejoice today as we celebrate the birth of the Mother of God

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (September 8, 2020): MI 5:1-4; PS 13:6; MT 1:1-16,18-23

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

Even the names of her parents, Anne and Joachim, come to us only by tradition. Still, from the early centuries of the Church there has been great interest in Mary’s whole life, including her nativity. 

‘Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another’  

Reflections on the readings for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 6, 2020): EZ 33:7-9; PS 95:1-2,6-7,8-9; ROM 13:8-10; 2 COR 5:19; MT 18:15-20 

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

The Son of God, completely Divine and completely human, offered Himself up in total sacrifice for our sins. And He asks us for the only gift that matters to Him: our love.

Each one of us is chosen to become ever closer to our Lord...

Reflections on the readings for the Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 30, 2020): JER 20:7-9; PS 63:2,3-4,5-6,8-9; ROM 12:1-2; MT 16:21-27   

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

We cannot merely say we believe in Jesus as the Redeemer who came to save us from the consequences of sin and the finality of death. We need to open ourselves to a deep relationship with Him...

Doing all God asks...     

Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of the Passion of St. John the Baptist (August 29, 2020): 1 COR 1:26-31; PS 33:12-13,18-19,20-21; MK 6:17-29

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

John shared the truth about what was good and right and just... 

Let us honor and imitate St. Bartholomew by being honest and honorable    

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. Bartholomew (August 24, 2020): RV 21:9-14; PS 145:10-11,12-13,17-18; JN 1:45-51

MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days

While we do not know it from the Scriptures, tradition tells us that St. Bartholomew went to India where, in the 3rd century, another missionary found traces of the Christian faith left by him.