“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in His ways! For you shall eat the fruit of your handiwork; blessed shall you be, and favored. … 

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Holy Family (December 30, 2022): SIR 3:2-6,12-14; PS 128:1-2,3,4-5; MT 2:13-15,19-23  

MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

Your children like olive plants around your table. … The Lord bless you … all the days of your life.” (Psalm 128:1-2,3,5)  

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Today we pay tribute to the Holy Innocents

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Holy Innocents (December 28, 2022): 1 JN 1:5--2:2; PS 124:2-3,4-5,7-8; MT 2:13-18  

MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

They died though the wickedness of a corrupt king bent on destroying the Infant Jesus whom he feared would threaten his power.  

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St. John, the Apostle who was the closest to our Lord, dedicated himself to His service from the first time they met until his death many years later. He is known at the Beloved Disciple. 

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. John (December 27, 2022): 1 JN 1:1-4; PS 97:1-2,5-6,11-12; JN 20:1,2-8 

MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

At the Last Supper it was John who lay his head on Jesus’ breast. The next day he would stand at the cross with our Blessed Mother and hear our Redeemer place her into his care and protection...

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St. Stephen was the first person to lay down his life in Jesus’ name after the death and Resurrection of Christ Himself.  

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. Stephen (December 26, 2022): Acts 6:8-10;7:54-59; PS 31:3-4,6,8,16,17; MT 10:17-22 

MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

St. Stephen was martyred around the year 35 A.D. It was the beginning of a series of persecutions, not only in the early years of the Church, but continuing until this very day.

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“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings glad tidings, announcing peace, bearing good news, announcing salvation, and saying to Zion, ‘Your God is King!’” (Isaiah 52:7) 

Reflections on the readings for the Nativity of the Lord -- Mass during the Day (December 25, 2022): IS 52:7-10; PS 98:1,2-3,3-4,5-6; HEB 1:1-6; JN 1:1-18 

MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

The Savior of the world comes to partake of our human nature; no longer are we alone and forsaken. 

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At last -- Advent ends and the great celebration of Christ’s birth begins! God’s love for His people is revealed in the birth of His Son, the Son of Mary. 

Reflections on the readings for the Nativity of the Lord -- Vigil Mass (December 24, 2022): IS 62:1-5; PS 89:4-5,16-17,27,29; Acts 13:16-17,22-25; MT 1:1-25  

MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

The Eternal Father draws us to Himself through His only begotten Son, born of the Blessed Virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

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“Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? One whose hands are sinless, whose heart is clean, who desires not what is vain.” (Psalm 24:3-4) 

Reflections on the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent (December 18, 2022): IS 7:10-14; PS 24:1-2,3-4,5-6; ROM 1:1-7; MT 1:18-24  

MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

The Eternal Father draws us to Himself through His only begotten Son, born of the Blessed Virgin Mary through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

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Today we joyfully celebrate the Blessed Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron of the Americas.  

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (December 12, 2022): ZEC 2:14-17; Judith 13:18,19; LK 1:26-38  

MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

God wanted people of the whole world to understand that He desires us to know His love and to be united with Him and each other in His mercy.

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On the Third Sunday of the Advent season, the Church urges us to rejoice in the Lord always! The life of Jesus Christ has transformed and continues to transform the world in His mercy.  

Reflections on the readings for the Third Sunday of Advent (December 11, 2022): IS 35:1-6,10; PS 146:6-7,8-9,9-10; JAS 5:7-10; MT 11:2-11  

MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

Despite our own troubles and the distress and misery of so many of our neighbors near and far, our faith in Christ provides us with the ultimate hope.

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This great solemnity venerates Mary under the title of her Immaculate Conception. It is also the patronal feast day of the United States of America. 

Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary (December 8, 2022): GN 3:9-15,20; PS 98:1,2-3,3-4; EPH 1:3-6,11-12; LK 1:26-38 

MISSIO offers “Preaching Mission,” as a homily help, providing connections to mission from the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days. 

Today’s Gospel reminds us about the singular role Mary has played in the history of salvation. The Angel Gabriel told her not to be afraid; and that she was called to become the mother of the Savior of the world.

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