Epiphany 9 | Ordinary Time 9, Cycle A
The importance of having a firm foundation of faith is emphasized in each of these texts selected for use on the rare occasions in which the Lenten and Easter Seasons are very late during the year of our Cycle A texts.
Epiphany 8 | Ordinary Time 8, Cycle A
If we do the will of God, we will never be forsaken. We are assured of this in each of these texts.
Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7, Cycle A
In most of the texts appointed for this occasion, the People of God are acclaimed. Through the use of these texts, it will be our pleasure to acclaim the People of God with whom we live as we speak in our own situations what is revealed to us in the Word of God and in our lives.
Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6, Cycle A
Within the texts designated for this coming weekend, Psalm 119 and Deuteronomy 30:15-20 depict the significant theme of the Israelite Scriptures that happiness, blessings, and security are given by God to those who live their lives in accordance with the commandments and precepts that are so frequently expressed in the Israelite Scriptures themselves. Although the happiness, blessings, and security promised in the Psalm 119 and Deuteronomy 30:15-20 texts are intended primarily for this life and for its continuation here throughout future generations rather than in terms of eternal life with God, these Psalm and Torah readings may be considered to be more specifically liberating “Good News” than are the Matthew 5:21-37 “Gospel” readings selected for this occasion.
Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5, Cycle A
Within three of the four texts appointed for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany in Series A, the central, unifying theme is “the righteousness of the People of God.” Throughout the acrostic Psalm 112 the righteousness of God’s People is described and defined. In a similar manner, righteousness is the quality that the Lord God desires in the People of God in Isaiah 58. Finally, in the Matthew 5:13-20 account the righteousness of the new community of followers of Jesus is the primary subject for consideration. Only 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 stands outside this theme.
