"You Have Called Us by Your Name"

As we continue to live this week, I offer this version of Bernadette Farrell's "You Have Called Us by Your Name":

 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of good pediatricians.

Archbishop Henning on the Psalms

"Have you ever felt joy or sorrow, confusion or elation, regret or hope, terror or trust? Are you selfish and giving, a sinner and a saint, foolish and wise? If you have been or felt any or all of these, the Psalms are for you -- for they express all these -- every emotion and aspect that is part of the human experience.

"The Psalms are such an important part of our life and worship. We use them in private prayer, we sing or recite them in the Liturgy of the Hours, as responsorials, they help us at Mass and other liturgies to deepen our response to and meditation upon the proclamation of God's Word."

In a recent commentary, Archbishop Richard G. Henning reflected on the Psalms and on how they are "a gift -- given to us by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and the goodness of Our Heavenly Father."

To access Archbishop Henning's complete post, please visit:

The Pilot: Echoes: Archbishop Richard G. Henning: The gift of the Psalms (23 JAN 26)

Reflection Starter from St. Thomas Aquinas

"Pray thee, spare, thyself at times: for it becomes a wise man sometimes to relax the high pressure of his attention to work." - Saint Thomas Aquinas

"Christ is the World's Light, He and None Other"

As we continue our Sunday celebration, I offer this version of "Christ is the World's Light, He and None Other":

 

Sunday of the Word of God

"According to the Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year, no. 43, in the Romal Missal,  'Besides the times of the year that have their own distinctive character, there remains in the yearly cycle thirty-three or thirty-four weeks in which no particular aspect of the mystery of Christ is celebrated, but rather the mystery of Christ itself is honored in its fullness, especially on Sundays. This period is known as Ordinary Time.' As you will notice this year, the Gospel reading on Sundays during this time is taken from St. Matthew. You will also notice that the first reading will almost always have some connection with the Gospel. The second reading while not necessarily following the other two readings, will mostly progress (as with the Gospel) sequentially, by chapter order.

Hence, on this Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, the prophesy of Isaiah in the First Reading is quoted by St. Matthew in the Gospel. Isaiah prophesied that Zebulun and Naphtali, the lands degraded by the Lord, would at the end be glorified and be the first to see the great light of God’s salvation. Jesus today fulfills that prophecy, proclaiming the restoration of David's kingdom in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, the exact place where the kingdom of Israel began to fall, eight centuries before Christ as we read in 2 Kgs 15:29; 24:14; 1 Chr 5:26."

A recent post by St. John's Seminary (Boston, MA) offered a commentary on today's observance of the Sunday of the Word of God.

To access the complete post, please visit:

Saint John's Seminary: The Word That Brings Light | Sunday of the Word of God

Related media:

Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments: Note on the Sunday of the Word of God

Pope Francis: Apostolic Letter Aperuit illis (Sept. 2019) 

Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Isaiah 8:23-9:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17; and Matthew 4:12-23. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 27 (Psalm 27:1-4, 13-14).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Spirit & Psalm - 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2023 - Year A - Psalm 27 - Ray

The Gospel reading is as follows:

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and went to live in Capernaum by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that what had been said through Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled: "Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles, the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen." From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon who is called Peter, and his brother Andrew, casting a net into the sea; they were fishermen. He said to them, "Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. He walked along from there and saw two other brothers, James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They were in a boat, with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. He called them, and immediately they left their boat and their father and followed him. He went around all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and curing every disease and illness among the people.

Reflections related to these readings:

Community in Mission: Come and Go With Me To My Father's House - A Homily for the Third Sunday of the Year (24 JAN 26) 

Benedictine College: This Sunday, When It Gets Really Dark, Expect Jesus to Come (22 JAN 26)

Word on Fire: Unity in Christ (Cycle A * Ordinary Time * 3rd Week) 

The Pilot: Echoes: Father Joshua J. Whitfield: Scripture Reflection for Jan. 25, 2026, Third Sunday in Ordinary Time (21 JAN 26)

The Quiet Corner: From Woonsocket to Capernaum (22 JAN 26) 

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the many ways in which the weather reflects Your glory.

Msgr. Pope on Finding God in the Snow

"It's snowing in Washington and just about everwhere else! While everyone can lament what snow does to travel schedules But, it is midwinter and no one can deny that the falling snow has a magnificent and hypnotic effect. It also creates a winter wonderland.

"Indeed, though not every one likes snow it is an amazing work of God. He takes a barren winter landscape and creates it anew. I can almost hear the Lord saying, 'Behold, I make all things new!'"

In a recent commentary, Msgr. Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on on the glory of God in winter.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: God in Winter - A Meditation on Finding God in the Snow. (25 JAN 26)

Reflection Starter from Pope Leo XIV

"The Gospel calls us to dare to trust, for God is at work at all times. Every moment is 'God's time,' even when we do not feel ready or when the situation seems unfavorable. (Mt 4:12-23)" - Pope Leo XIV

TheTabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square: Whistle While You Work/Heigh Ho!"

As this blessed week draws to a close, I offer this version of TheTabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square presenting Whistle While You Work/Heigh Ho!":

Thank You, Lord

Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of opportunities to share a smile.