26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 1

Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

The first reading is chosen as a commentary on today’s gospel. It presents two cases: the first case concerns someone who chooses an evil path and never turns back. The second case is about someone who first goes an evil way and then reforms. It’s somewhat like the two sons in the gospel parable. The moral seems to be it’s never too late to renounce our evil ways and reform.
In the second reading, most commentators think that St Paul is really quoting the words of an early Christian hymn. We don’t have the music, just the words that Paul has passed on to us. If that’s true, then this hymn must have been the most profound ever written because it so well expresses what has come to be called “the paschal mystery of Christ.” It’s all about the meaning of Christ’s death and resurrection as the source of all grace.
—Walter Modrys SJ

This week’s readings can be found on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, September 17

Twenty-fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

The first reading serves as a beautiful introduction to today’s gospel. It’s taken from the so-called Book of Sirach, named after the author. It’s part of what is called the “wisdom literature” in the Bible. If you broke the Bible apart into separate sections, and distributed them on shelves in a bookstore, you would find the “wisdom literature” in the philosophy or spirituality section.
But sometimes, like in today’s reading, wisdom literature can hit home with a sharp point. In the first verse today, for example, we are greeted with a stunning image: “Wrath and anger are hateful things, yet the sinner hugs them tight.” We all know how true that is. In the gospel, we’ll hear what Jesus has to say about that.
—Walter Modrys SJ

This Sunday’s readings can be found on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, August 27

Twenty-first Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A

The first reading takes us to the troubled times of ancient Israel in the eight century BC. The Assyrians are attacking Jerusalem. One high Jewish official, Shebna, is removed from office and replaced by a man named Hilkiah.
We are reading this because the language describing the transfer of power reminds us of today’s gospel. Jesus—symbolically—entrusts Peter with the keys of the kingdom. In a few short verses, the Old Testament reading describes the nature of Peter’s office and responsibility.
—Walter Modrys SJ

This Sunday’s readings can be found on the US Conference of Catholic Bishops’ website.