Saints John de Brébeuf, Isaac Jogues, and Companions
Readings of the day: RB 15Mass: Romans 3:21-30; Resp. Psalm 130; Luke 11:47-54
When Jesus left, the scribes and the Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.
Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.(Communion Antiphon, Mass)

Readings of the day: RB 14Mass: 2 Timothy 4:10-17b; Resp. Psalm 145; Luke 10:1-9
Demas succumbed to the trappings of the world; Crescens preferred Galatia; Titus, Dalmatia. Alexander the coppersmith was nothing but trouble. Paul, although deserted by his companions, reminds us of something very important: “The Lord stood by me and gave me strength.” People are fickle; Jesus isn’t. The Lord will never abandon us.

Readings of the day: RB 13:12-14Mass: Romans 1:16-25; Resp. Psalm 19; Luke 11:37-41
The Pharisees are exasperated with Jesus’ breach of etiquette. How dare he have such poor table manners! I picture Jesus rolling his eyes while exclaiming, “Oh, you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil. You fools!”
Lest I be too quick to judge, I reflect on how often I am as foolish the Pharisees—when am I more concerned with how I

Readings of the day: RB 13:1-11Mass: Romans 1:1-7; Resp. Psalm 98; Luke 11:29-32
For weeks we have been hearing about Jesus teaching, driving out demons, healing, and responding to those who test him and try to justify themselves. Nevertheless, the crowd still seeks a sign. Jesus doesn’t mince words: “This generation is an evil generation.” It seems an age-old problem—we are always looking for something bigger and better, something a little bit more convincing. The Ninevites took to Jonah. The

In other years: Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582)
Readings of the day: RB 12Mass: Isaiah 25:6-10a; Resp. Psalm 23; Philippians 4:12-14,19-20; Matthew 22:1-14
The WORD proclaimed is a feast to behold!
In a recent conversation, two of us were talking about how we are always in the Divine Presence. Always. Still, we manage somehow to not even take notice. We go about our grumblings, bad moods, self-centeredness, preoccupations with trivial matters, being over-burdened, irritable, and bus