“Who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked... What is our answer?       

Reflections on the readings for the Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 23, 2020): IS 22:19-23; PS 138:1-2,2-3,6,8; ROM 11:33-36; MT 16:13-20 

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

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:15-18)

She rules with the strength of love and mercy      

Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of the Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 22, 2020): EZ 43:1-7; PS 85:9,10,11-12,13-14; MT 23:1-12 

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

Like her Son Jesus our King, Mary’s reign is not at all like that of so many of those on earth with great power and position.

A lesson in Jesus’ exchange with the Canaanite woman...       

Reflections on the readings for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 16, 2020): IS 56:1,6-7; PS 67:2-3,5,6,8; ROM 11:13-15,29-32; MT 15:21-28 

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

Whether two thousand years ago or today, the human race can cling to a divisive them and us viewpoint.

Remembering God’s everlasting goodness...
     

Reflections on the readings for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15, 2020): RV 11:19; 12:1-6,10; PS 45:10,11,12,16; 1 COR 15:20-27; LK 1:39-56 

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

In the Gospel reading, we hear the words of the first human being to joyfully and humbly recognize that Mary has been singled out by God for a very particular holiness.

Pause and listen     

Reflections on the readings for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 9, 2020): 1 KGS 19:9,11-13; PS 85:9,10,11-12,13-14; ROM 9:1-5; MT 14:22-33 

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

And he finally lets himself just listen... Elijah needed to stop everything that he was doing and thinking and imagining.

Envisioning our own transfiguration 
     

Reflections on the readings for the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord (August 6, 2020): DN 7:9-10,13-14; PS 97:1-2,5-6,9; 2PT 1:16-19; MT 17:1-9

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

"After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.  And he was transfigured before them; his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light." (Matthew 17:1-3)

A priest changed the lives of many through the Sacrament of Penance 
     

Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of St. John Vianney (August 4, 2020): JER 30:1-2,12-15,18-22; PS 102:16-18,19-21,29,22-23; MT 14:22-36

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

St. John practiced penance, eating and sleeping little. He was devoted to the Holy Eucharist and to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Remaining loyal to the One whose love never fails    

Reflections on the readings for the Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (August 2, 2020): IS 55:1-3; PS 145:8-9,15-16,17-18; ROM 8:35,37-39; MT 14:13-21

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

As followers of Christ, we are expected to recognize the trials and temptations of the human condition...

The feast day of the founder of the Society of Jesus 
     

Reflections on the readings for the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31, 2020): JER 26:1-9; PS 69:5,8-10,14; MT 13:54-58

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

The order, which pledged most particular loyalty to the Pope, received Church approval in 1540.

God has called us... the way we live each day is our answer    

Reflections on the readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 26, 2020): 1 KGS 3:5,7-12; PS 119:57,72,76-77,127-128,129-130; ROM 8:28-30; MT 13:44-52 

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

In St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, we hear his concerns about the way we approach our Christian life.