This Sunday we look back as the Jewish people await the coming of the Messiah for thousands of years... 

Reflections on the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent (December 4, 2022): IS 11:1-10; PS 72:1-2,7-8,12-13,17; ROM 15:4-9;MT 3:1-12

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

This Sunday we look back as the Jewish people await the coming of the Messiah for thousands of years. And we hear the message of His arrival through the Baptist who draws all who will listen and respond to the joyful news.

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“Jesus went around to all the towns and villages … proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom. … Jesus sent out these Twelve after instructing them thus, ‘As you go, make this proclamation: The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” (Matthew 9:35,10:5,7)

Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of St. Francis Xavier (December 3, 2022): IS 30:19-21,23-26; PS 147:1-2,3-4,5-6; MT 9:35-10:1,5,6-8

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

We can join with this heroic missionary saint in treasuring our Lord’s love for us and responding with our own love and service for Him and His children. 

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Today we honor St. Andrew, often considered to be the first of Jesus’ Apostles. Andrew followed Him in His public life and then preached the Good News until he died a martyr’s death.

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. Andrew (November 30, 2022): ROM 10:9-18; PS 19:8,9,10,11; MT 4:18-22

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

St. Andrew is a patron of fishermen and fish sellers. He is also the patron of several countries, including both Ukraine and Russia. 

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“You know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our salvation is nearer now than we first believed; the night is advanced, the day is at hand.” (Romans 13:11-12)

Reflections on the readings for the First Sunday of Advent (November 27, 2022): IS 2:1-5; PS 122:1-2,3-4,4-5,6-7,8-9; ROM 13:11-14; MT 24:37-44

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

Expressing gratitude to Almighty God, especially after hardships, is deeply appropriate for people, although some of us neglect this. In today’s Gospel, we hear one of Jesus’ most famous miracles.

Topics: homily helps

On this joyful American holiday let’s pause to thank God for His blessings and ask His guidance in sharing them with those who need a kind word, a helping hand, a gracious gift.

Reflections on the readings for Thanksgiving Day (November 24, 2022): SIR 50:22-24; PS 145:2-3,4-5,6-7,8-9,10-11; 1COR 1:3-9; LK 17:11-19

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

Expressing gratitude to Almighty God, especially after hardships, is deeply appropriate for people, although some of us neglect this. In today’s Gospel, we hear one of Jesus’ most famous miracles.

Topics: homily helps

“The rulers sneered at Jesus. … Even the soldiers jeered at Him. … They called out, ‘If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.’ Above Him there was an inscription that read, ‘This is the King of the Jews.’” (Luke 23:35-38)

Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus, King of the Universe (November 20, 2022): 2SM 5:1-3; PS 122:1-2,3-4,4-5; COL 1:12-20; LK 23:35-43

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

Jesus is not only the Ruler of the Universe, but also its center. That we human beings have the hope of life everlasting is only because of His sacrifice.

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As we move closer to the end of Ordinary Time in the Liturgical Year, we continue to consider the meaning of the Second Coming of Christ and how Christians are to live in the meantime.

Reflections on the readings for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (November 13, 2022): MAL 3:19-20; PS 98:5-6,7-8,9; 2THES 3:7-12; LK 21:5-19

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

Our Savior did not want His disciples two thousand years ago or in our own times to be overcome with fear about either the present or the future.

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Today’s liturgy offers a strong reminder that death is not the end of our lives...

Reflections on the readings for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time (November 6, 2022): 2MC 7:1-2,9-14; PS 17:1,5-6,8,15; 2THES 2:16-3:5; LK 20:27-38

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

On the contrary, eternity offers a new life with God -- just as He has always planned for us, His treasured children.

Topics: homily helps

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. … Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff. … Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come.” (Psalm 23:1,4,6)

Reflections on the readings for The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (November 2, 2022):  WIS 3:1-9; PS 23:1-3,3-4,5,6; ROM 6:3-9; JN 6:37-40 

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

We have a beautiful opportunity on this feast to remember and pray for our loved ones and all who have died. More than that, we can contemplate God’s plan to call us to Himself through the way we live on earth...

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On this Holy Day we celebrate all of God’s children in heaven...

Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of All Saints (November 1, 2022): RV 7:2-4,9-14; PS 24:1-2,3-4,5-6; 1JN 3:1-3; MT 5:1-12

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

This includes the few who have been named saints by the Church and the many, many more who are also there -- waiting and praying for us to join them.

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