Adult Faith Formation & Initiation

“Blessed are the poor…”  When we Christians hear this phrase we immediately think of the Beatitudes as Jesus taught them to us from his Sermon on the Mount.  But while we may easily recognize these words, what do they really mean?  Perhaps a deeper study of our readings for this week will help us understand: The Word for the 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time Zephaniah 2:3, 3:12-13 Psalm 146:67, 8-9, 9-10 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 Mathew 5:1-12a Our first reading comes from the book of the prophet Zephaniah.  If you’re looking for hope in the scriptures, I would avoid Zephaniah.  Although Zephaniah’s prophecy takes place during a time of great reform under King Josiah, his message is a dire warning to the people of Judah.  The Lord is angry and there will be fierce retribution for the people of Judah.  Does Zephaniah offer any hope?  Today’s passage offers only this:  for “all you humble of the earth, who have followed his law… perhaps you may be sheltered on the day of the Lord’s anger.”  Even t

Discernment.  It’s a word we use when we need to carefully and prayerfully come to a life-altering decision.  Often this term is used by those contemplating a vocation to the priesthood or the religious life, but the truth is that we as the laity are faced with all kinds of discernments of our own.  We are regularly faced with decisions about schools, majors, job opportunities and relationships that can alter the course of our lives.  This week’s readings focus on our need for discernment, especially when it comes to whom we follow: The Word for the 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time Isaiah 8:23-9:3-1 Psalm 27-1, 4, 13-14 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17 Mathew 4:12-23 Our first reading comes from early Isaiah.  The Northern Kingdom of Israel has fallen to the Assyrians, and the people of the Southern Kingdom of Judah fear they are next.  But over some time a new regime has taken has hold in the former lands of Israel, and Isaiah sees this as a useful example of God’s mercy.  Lands that were in angu

Typically, the Sunday after the Epiphany is celebrated as the Baptism of the Lord, but because of quirks in our calendar this year, with Christmas and New Year’s falling on Sundays, the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord was celebrated this past Monday.  That date marks the end of the Christmas season, which now brings us to a period of Ordinary Time – that is, counting the days (ordinals) between the major Liturgical Seasons.  The white and gold vestments and décor are put away as Green now becomes the color of the season.  Throughout Advent and Christmas we’ve heard the prophecy of the Messiah, witnessed his birth, and have come to recognize him as the chosen one.  As we enter this first period of Ordinary Time, we start our journey following Jesus step by step through his ministry. The Word for the 2nd Sunday of Ordinary Time Isaiah 49:3, 5-6 Psalm 40:2, 4, 7-8, 8-9, 10 1 Corinthians 1:1-3 John 1:29-34 Our first reading comes from the book of the prophet Isaiah.  This passage fr

The celebration of the Epiphany varies greatly among the many different Christian traditions and cultures.  Originating from the Easter Church in the fourth century, the celebration of the Epiphany ranks third in importance, behind Easter and Pentecost.  While the celebration was accepted by the Western Church in the fifth century, its celebration has varied over history, but still remains an important part of our Christmas season - important enough that the Roman Calendar has placed its celebration on the first Sunday of January (after January 1st) instead of the traditional date of January 6th. The Word for the Epiphany of the Lord Isaiah 60:1-6 Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-11, 12-13 Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6 Matthew 2:1-12 Our first reading comes from the later chapters of Isaiah, referred to as Trito-Isaiah or "third" Isaiah.  As with the other post Babylonian Exile prophecies, we see a vision of Jerusalem as a shining beacon to all the nations.  These nations both near and far, wil

Most years the first Sunday after Christmas is celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Family, certainly a fitting gesture having just celebrated the Nativity.  But when Christmas falls on a Sunday, January 1st follows the next week.  That day is dedicated to the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, so this most ancient Marian feast takes precedence: The Word for the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 89:4-5, 16-17, 27, 29 Acts 13:16-17, 22-25 Matthew 1:1-25 or Matthew 1:18-25 Our first reading comes from the Book of Numbers.  Here we have God presenting Moses with an extraordinary blessing.  For ancient Jews, the nature of this blessing is unprecedented.  First, it invokes the Lord’s name, in essence, making God present, or bringing the people into the presence of the Almighty.  Further, it does this three times, a typical modal that represents the intensity of the expression or action (similar to when the Gospels use the phrase “Amen,