An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - August 10, 2025
“You Also Must Be Prepared, For At An Hour You Do Not Expect, The Son Of Man Will Come.”
This Sunday's readings teach us about perseverance in faith and preparedness for the coming of Jesus. We must always be ready for when our Master comes to call on us.
Our first reading from the Book of Wisdom (18:6-9) highlights the Israelites preparedness and faith in God's promise as they awaited the first Passover. In one single night, God both blessed the Israelites for their faithfulness and smote the first born of the Egyptians for their evil deeds.
In our Epistle reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (11:1-2, 8-12), the author teaches the meaning of faith and uses the story of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to illustrate the model of faithful perseverance. The homeland we await is a heavenly homeland and the one who promised it is trustworthy. One example of Abraham’s great faith is this, “By faith, Abraham, when put to the test, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was ready to offer his only son, of whom it was said, ‘Through Isaac, descendants shall bear your name.’ He reasoned that God was able to raise even from the dead, and he received Isaac back as a symbol.”
In our Gospel reading (Luke 12:32-48), Jesus first reminded His disciples that the Kingdom of Heaven awaits them as He told them, “Do not be afraid any longer, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your belongings and give alms. . . . For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.” He then admonished His disciples to be prepared always, for they know not the hour that the Son of Man will come. Our Lord promises us “an inexhaustible treasure in heaven that no thief can reach.”
The Scouts have a motto, "Be Prepared". It is a good motto for Christians as well, for we know that the Master will return and bring with Him the joys of the heavenly kingdom, but we do not know when the master will come. When He does come, may He find us watchful and ready.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081025.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - August 3, 2025
“Be Rich In What Matters To God”
Our readings for this Sunday warn us of the folly of placing our worship in material goods instead of in God. In the end, it buys us nothing. Jesus teaches us that we must keep our focus on God, not our earthly
possessions: “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.”
Our first reading (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 2:21-23) is a warning of the vanity of human toil. The riches we toil for in this life are left for others to enjoy after our death. “Vanity of vanities, says Qoheleth, vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” (Editor’s note: Qoheleth is a Hebrew word that means “teacher” and is thought to refer to King Solomon.)
In our Epistle reading (Colossians 3:1-5; 9-11), St. Paul tells us about what really matters to God and how we are to rightly order our lives to “seek what is above.” Paul instructs us that, since we have died to Christ, we should put aside earthly desires and passions and “put on the new self.” Paul writes, “Put to death, then, the parts of you that are earthly: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and the greed that is idolatry....”
Our Gospel reading (Luke 12:13-21) builds on the themes from our first two readings with the parable of the Rich Fool. First, Jesus refused to intervene in a property squabble among two brothers and then followed up with a parable about the rich fool to drive home the point — “You fool, this night your life will be demanded of you; and the things you have prepared, to whom will they belong?” Jesus teaches us to be “rich in what matters to God.”
It is often said, "you can't take it with you", referring to power, prestige, wealth, and possessions. But there is one thing that we can take with us beyond the grave and that is grace. “The grace of Christ is the gratuitous gift that God makes to us of his own life, infused by the Holy Spirit into our soul ....” (CCC 1996—2001). We cannot earn grace, but we can embrace it by following the advice of St. Paul in today's Epistle, by seeking what is above, where Christ is.
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080325.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - July 27, 2025
“Lord, Teach Us To Pray”
This Sunday's readings teach us not only what to pray, but when to pray and how to pray - with persistence and hope.
Our first reading (Genesis 18:20-32) is an early teaching of both persistence in prayer and God's willing mercy. Abraham learned that the three divine visitors (from last week's first reading) planned on carrying out God's destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah for their wickedness. Abraham implored God, with persistence, to "spare the whole place" for the sake of the few innocents. After many persistent requests, God granted his request.
In our Epistle reading (Colossians 2:12-14), St. Paul explains how God, in His infinite love and mercy, has rescued us, despite our bondage of sin; and has forgiven our transgressions, nailing them to the cross. As Jesus was raised from the dead by the Father, we also will be raised with Him. Paul writes, “He brought you to life along with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions; obliterating the bond against us….”
In our Gospel reading (Luke 11:1-13), the disciples asked Jesus how to pray. "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." Jesus’ response was to teach them the Lord's Prayer, with its focus on the Father in heaven. Then He followed it with instruction on persistence and the willing mercy and generosity of the Father. Finally, Jesus taught the disciples the effectiveness of prayer. "And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you…. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?”
Prayer is said to be communicating with God in a relationship of love. Prayer is a two-way conversation—listening and speaking. Prayer should not be just an as-needed, case-by-case event when we need something; it should be a way of life, a life-long conversation between kindred souls, covering the whole gambit of emotions and feelings. If you’re sad, share it; if you’re happy, share it; if you’re angry or anxious, share it; if you’re excited or exuberant, share that too.
bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072725.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - December 25
“AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US”
Our readings for Christmas Mass at night draw a direct connection between what Isaiah prophesied more than 500
years before Christ was born and what took place that Christmas night when the prophesy was fulfilled in all its humble glory.
In our first reading (Isaiah 9:1-6), we hear the prophesy of Isaiah that is proclaimed every Christmas Eve night - God's own Son will come to deliver us. "For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.”
In our Epistle (Titus 2:11-14), St. Paul leads us to remember that Christ promised to come again and will deliver us from all lawlessness. Paul teaches us how to live while we await the return of Jesus our Savior. “The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ.”
Our Gospel reading (Luke 2:1-14) is the account of Jesus' humble birth as Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census of the house of David. The first to bear witness were the lowly shepherds from the surrounding hillsides.
The birth of the Jesus the Messiah was not just something that happened a long time ago. It was an event foretold for centuries and awaited fervently by the people of Israel. From the moment of Jesus' birth to his tragic death and triumphant resurrection, he was the embodiment of humility, patience, and love. It is how he calls us to live "temperately, justly and devoutly in this age as we await the blessed hope."
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523-night.cfm
Click 'Read more' for the reflection on the Christmas Day readings.