Friday of the Passion of Our Lord (Good Friday)

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 4/25/23

Is 52:13-53:12 | Ps 31 | Heb 4:14-16; 5:7-9 | Jn 18:1-19:42

On this day, tears are sacred. Weeping heals as we surrender. Lament is holy within this liturgy.

In our worship across the globe, Christians reverence the wood of the cross. This gesture is far from empty. Today, ... Read More »

Holy Thursday (Mass of the Lord's Supper)

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 4/25/23

Ex 12:1-8, 11-14 | Ps 116 | 1 Cor 11:23-26 | Jn 13:1-15

In John’s gospel we eavesdrop in the Upper Room. It is a scene of intimacy. It’s a scene of hope. Jesus gathers the disciples for the last time before his death. Did they have an inkling ... Read More »

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 4/25/23

Mt 21:1-11 | Is 50:4-7 | Ps 22 | Phil 2:6-11 | Mt 26:14-27:66

Today the crowds welcome Jesus by waving branches and singing out, “Hosanna!” while other members of the city asked, “Who is this?” This question should fuel our prayer as we enter this intense and incredible ... Read More »

Fifth Sunday of Lent

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 4/25/23

Ez 37:12-14 | Ps 130 | Rom 8:8-11 | Jn 11:1-45

Our third of three lengthy and yet beautiful Gospel stories, we hear proclaimed today Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Word is sent to Jesus that the one whom he loved is ill. Who is the one Jesus ... Read More »

Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 3/22/23

1 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a | Ps 23 | Eph 5:8-14 | Jn 9:1-41

In this second of three lengthy gospel passages, Jesus saw more than the surface in the man born blind. He sees both a person and an opportunity to make the works of God visible through ... Read More »

Second Sunday of Lent

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 3/22/23

Gn 12:1-4a | Ps 33 | 2 Tm 1:8b-10 | Mt 17:1-9

How many of us truly believe that we are saved by God in order to live a holy life? This is what Saint Paul wrote to his young protégé, Timothy, in our second reading. My guess is ... Read More »

First Sunday of Lent

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 2/28/23

Gn 2:7-9; 3:1-7 | Ps 51 | Rom 5:12-19 | Mt 4:1-11

The Judean desert is stark: there are no trees to offer shade, the sun beats down mercilessly, and ninety-five degrees is a cool day in May. For forty days, Jesus’ hunger intensified. If he had any fat ... Read More »

Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 2/28/23

Lv 19:1-2, 17-18 | Ps 103 | 1 Cor 3:16-23 | Mt 5:38-48

The Gospel presents no small or easy mission. Rather, we hear in today’s gospel, Christians are called above and beyond the measures of our society or governmental laws. We are not called to simply put up ... Read More »

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 2/28/23

Sir 15:15-20 | Ps 119 | 1 Cor 2:6-10 | Mt 5:20-22a, 27-28, 33-34a, 37

Ask anyone for their definitions, understandings, and experiences of obedience, and you will be greeted with lots of grumbling and complaints. Children often feel like their lives are spent doing nothing but obeying their ... Read More »

Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Posted by Fr Terry Grachanin on 2/28/23

Is 58:7-10 | Ps 112 | 1 Cor 2:1-5 | Mt 5:13-16

You are salt, and you are light.

What does Jesus mean when he calls disciples “salt of the earth?” Salt in the ancient world was a “critical necessity” used to season, preserve, and purify foods; to ratify ... Read More »