(1Jn.4:7-10, Ps.72:1-4,7-8,11; Mk.6:34-44) “Justice shall flower in His days, and profound peace, till the moon be no more.” Our psalm (of Solomon, the king of peace and wisdom) relates the infinite justice of God, He who “defend[s] the afflicted among the people” and “save[s] the children of the poor.” Such is the judgment of our God, who “rule[s] from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth”: His perfect justice He showers upon all. And how is this justice effected? It is alrea...
Jan 06, 2025•5 min
(1Jn.3:22-4:6; Ps.2:7-8,10-11; Mt.4:12-17,23-25) “Every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh belongs to God.” And for every spirit that acknowledges Him, He answers all prayers: “Whatever we ask we shall receive at God’s hands.” “Ask of me and I will give you the nations for an inheritance…” And so, when “they carried to [Jesus] all those afflicted with various diseases and racked with pain,” He heard this prayer made in faith, made in the belief that He could do this, and as ...
Jan 05, 2025•5 min
(1Jn.3:7-10; Ps.98:1,3,7-9; Jn.1:35-42) “When Jesus turned around and noticed them following Him, He asked them, ‘What are you looking for?’” Brothers and sisters, what Jesus asks the first two disciples He asks each of us who follow in their wake. What do we seek? Why are we following Him? What is it we hope to find at the place where He stays? David makes clear in our psalm that the Son of God, “His holy arm,” has been revealed in our midst – in “wondrous deeds” He “comes to rule the earth.” “...
Jan 03, 2025•5 min
(1Jn.2:29-3:6; Ps.98:1,3-6; Jn.1:29-34) “Look there! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” “This is God’s chosen One.” This is He upon whom “the Spirit descend[s]” – who takes away our sins and makes us pure by His own baptism “with the Holy Spirit.” He who walks with Him walks in holiness, for “everyone who acts in holiness has been begotten by Him” – we have become “children of God” because we have now the grace of the only Son. Listen to the manner in which the Baptist “sing[s...
Jan 02, 2025•5 min
(1Jn.2:22-28; Ps.98:1-4; Jn.1:19-28) “Remain in the Son and in the Father.” In our gospel John the Baptist tells the priests and Levites sent by the Pharisees, “There is… one who is to come after me – the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy to unfasten.” This Messiah has come, “The Lord has made His salvation known: in the sight of the nations He has revealed His justice,” David proclaims in our psalm, and continues to invite us to sing praise of Him. It is the anointing that comes from Jesus ...
Jan 01, 2025•4 min
(1Jn.2:18-21; Ps.96:1-2,11-13; Jn.1:1-18) “The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” And we must dwell with Him, remaining in His light, walking in His way. “Through Him all things came into being,” and we who have come into being by Him, “who believe in His name,” must “become children of God.” In our first reading, John warns against the antichrists who come in this “final hour” to lead astray all those not founded in truth. Elsewhere he warns against anyone who does not recognize...
Dec 30, 2024•5 min
(1Jn.2:12-17; Ps.96:7-11; Lk.2:36-40) “The world with its seductions is passing away but the man who does God’s will endures forever.” Upon what is your eye fixed? Do you seek the Lord as has Anna these many years, “constantly in the temple, worshiping day and night in fasting and prayer,” or are you seduced by “carnal allurements, enticements for the eye, the life of empty show.” Indeed, “all these are from the world” (and what appropriate description of the extreme vanity which grasps the worl...
Dec 29, 2024•5 min
(2Sm.7:1-5,8-12,14,16; Ps.89:2-5,27,29; Lk.1:67-79) “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever.” The Lord builds a house for us; He is that House. “Forever will I confirm your posterity and establish your throne for all generations,” the Lord promises David, and accomplishes His word by Himself entering the line of the king. Thus “He has visited and ransomed His people. He has raised a horn of saving strength for us in the house of David His servant” in the Person of Jesus the Christ. And ...
Dec 23, 2024•5 min
(Mal.3:1-4,23-24; Ps.25:4-5,8-10,14,Lk.21:28; Lk.1:57-66) “His name is John.” Yes, “the hand of the Lord [was] upon him,” whose name signifies the grace of God, who comes at the end of the age to turn men’s hearts back to God, who prepares the way we must walk to find the instruction and purgation of the Lord. We must be purified by “the refiner’s fire.” We must be purged of all dross “like gold or like silver that [we] may offer due sacrifice to the Lord,” that we might be called children of th...
Dec 22, 2024•6 min
(Sgs.2:8-14 or Zep.3:14-18; Ps.33:1-3,11-12,20-21; Lk.1:39-45) “Let me see you, let me hear your voice, for your voice is sweet, and you are lovely.” “Who am I that the mother of my Lord should come to me?” – she who comes bearing the Christ child, she whose very voice magnifies the presence of the Lord. Listen to the witness of Elizabeth: “The moment your greeting sounded in my ears, the baby stirred in my womb for joy.” Mary carries the Son of God not only in her womb, but in her soul; the Spi...
Dec 20, 2024•5 min
(Is.7:10-14; Ps.24:1-7,10; Lk.1:26-38) “Blessed are you among women.” “The virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and shall name Him Immanuel because ‘God is with us.’” “The virgin’s name was Mary.” And she has given birth to the Savior. “Who may stand in His holy place?” King David sings in our psalm. “Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord?” Clearly Jesus is He. But as clear is that we are all called to be as He, and that she has been, she who is so like Him – she that is indeed His Mothe...
Dec 19, 2024•5 min
(Jgs.13:2-7,24-25; Ps.71:3-6,8,16-17; Lk.1:5-25) “From my mother’s womb you are my strength.” How the above line from our psalm is reflected both in Samson and in John, and how parallel are the lives of these two great men. Of John it is said, “He will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother’s womb”; of Samson, “This boy is to be consecrated to God from the womb” and “The Spirit of the Lord began to be with him.” The birth of both is announced by an angel of the Lord. Both will be born of...
Dec 18, 2024•6 min
(Jer.23:5-8; Ps.72:1,7,12-13,18-19; Mt.1:18-24) “He will save His people from their sins.” Each of our readings today mentions the salvation of our Lord. The above quote is from our gospel; our psalm states, “The lives of the poor He shall save”; and in our first reading it says, “In His days Judah shall be saved.” The very name “Jesus” – as given to Joseph by the angel of the Lord – means “God saves”. The great God of the universe, the living God who has brought us all to birth, comes among us,...
Dec 17, 2024•5 min
(Gn.49:2,8-10; Ps.72:3-4,7-8,17; Mt.1:1-17) “May He rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.” Since “the scepter shall never depart from Judah,” the reign of Jesus, His descendant, His fulfillment, is without end – He is King forever. And so, “tribute is brought to Him, and He receives the peoples’ homage,” which is in itself their salvation. Who is this Lion of Judah, fulfillment of Jacob’s prophetic blessing of his son? What sort of king have we? It is in the words of...
Dec 16, 2024•5 min
(Nm.24:2-7,15-17; Ps.25:4-9; Mt.21:23-27) “A star shall advance from Jacob, and a staff shall rise from Israel.” And the light of that star is reflected in the eyes of Balaam, who, though a pagan, is gifted by God with the clear vision to see the beauty and wonder of “Israel encamped, tribe by tribe,” “like gardens beside a stream,” “like the cedars planted by the Lord.” And as He is seen in the nation of Israel blessed by the Lord, so His glory is reflected in the heart and words and actions of...
Dec 15, 2024•4 min
(Sir.48:1-4,9-11; Ps.80:2-4,15-16,18-19; Mt.17:10-13) “Like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah whose words were as a flaming furnace.” Elijah has come, to “restore everything.” The word has fallen like fire from heaven to prepare a path for the Lord to tread. The Baptist has cried out as a voice in the wilderness for us to make our hearts ready for the coming of the Lord. But, sadly, “they did not recognize him and they did as they pleased with him.” They rejected the voice crying to them ...
Dec 13, 2024•4 min
(Is.48:17-19; Ps.1:1-4,6,Jn.8:12; Mt.11:16-19) “Time will prove where wisdom lies.” No doubt it lies with God. It lies with the Son of Man, come for our salvation. “I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go.” Is it not our essential call to obey His Word, to listen for His voice and follow in His way? Are they not happy who hear the Word of God and keep it? Is this not wisdom, to walk in the way of our Creator, with the One who loves us above a...
Dec 12, 2024•4 min
(Is.40:25-31; Ps.103:1-4,8,10; Mt.11:28-30) “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” How we do become “weary and find life burdensome.” How we can “faint and grow weary,” “stagger and fall” from the burden of sin and our inherent weakness. But oh how “He gives strength to the fainting; for the weak He makes vigor abound.” For indeed He is the creator of the universe – “by His great might and the strength of His power” all things come to be – and His Son is the redeemer of our souls. “The Lord is t...
Dec 10, 2024•4 min
(Is.40:1-11; Ps.96:1-3,10-13,Is.40:10; Mt.18:12-14) “Like a shepherd He feeds His flock; in His arms He gathers His lambs.” His is the voice which “speak[s] tenderly to Jerusalem.” It is He who “give[s] comfort to [His] people.” For “it is no part of [the] heavenly Father’s plan that a single one of these little ones shall ever come to grief.” Like a shepherd He leads us. With great concern He watches over His flock, careful that none is led astray. And diligent is He in finding the one who “wan...
Dec 09, 2024•5 min
(Is.30:19-21,23-26; Ps.147:1-6,Is.30:18; Mt.9:35-10:1,6-8) “On the day the Lord binds up the wounds of His people, He will heal the bruises left by His blows.” “Cure the sick, raise the dead, heal the leprous, expel demons.” With these words Jesus sends His disciples forth proclaiming, “The reign of God is at hand!” The prophecy of Isaiah has been fulfilled. The Savior has come. The Teacher is at our side now speaking into our ears, “This is the way; walk in it.” And of all our sins He cleanses ...
Dec 06, 2024•5 min
(Is.29:17-24; Ps.27:1,4,13-14; Mt.9:27-31) “The eyes of the blind shall see.” O “that I may gaze on the loveliness of the Lord and contemplate His temple.” That out of “gloom and darkness” I might be taken, and come “to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” That I could feel His hands touch my eyes, that I might have the faith to believe they shall be open to His glory… Brothers and sisters, we are blind. All of us. All of us lack understanding. All of us falter in faith. For ...
Dec 05, 2024•5 min
(Is.26:1-6; Ps.118:1,8-9,19-21,25-27; Mt.7:21,24-27) “Trust in the Lord forever! For the Lord is an eternal rock.” Sand or rock? Upon which do we build our house? If we “take refuge in the Lord” and enter “the gates of justice,” we shall find salvation in the Lord’s kingdom; if we “trust in man” and “princes,” we shall be leveled with the dust – our house shall collapse and we be “completely ruined.” The choice is set before us. “Those in high places” will be humbled to the ground; those who fin...
Dec 04, 2024•5 min
(Is.25:6-10; Ps.23:1-6; Mt.15:29-37) “The hand of the Lord will rest on this mountain.” And He will heal us. And He will lead us. And He will feed us. Jesus went up onto a mountainside along the Sea of Galilee and sat down to teach and to heal. The sick were laid at His feet. Isaiah says, “On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples.” This mountain is the Lord. It is Jesus who reaches out His hand to heal those lying at His feet. It is Jesus who raises the bread for blessing ...
Dec 03, 2024•5 min
(Is.11:1-10; Ps.72:1,7-8,12-13,17; Lk.10:21-24) “The earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord, as water covers the sea.” And so, “there shall be no harm or ruin on all my holy mountain,” says the Lord. The vision is sure: “The wolf shall be the guest of the lamb… the lion shall eat hay like the ox… the child shall lay his hand on the adder’s lair,” for all shall live as one in the Spirit of the Lord. “Justice shall flower in His days, and profound peace” – such is the vision to which all...
Dec 02, 2024•4 min
(Is.2:1-5 or Is.4:2-6; Ps.122:1-9; Mt.8:5-11 I shall treat of both first readings) “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem!” For it shall come. “The mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest mountain…. All nations shall stream toward it,” and there the Lord will give judgment. And His judgment will cause the banishment of war, for all shall be one in Him, and to all He shall grant “shelter and protection,” by night and by day. The coming peace and unity all find on the holy mount...
Dec 01, 2024•4 min
(Rv.20:1-4,11-21:2; Ps.84:3-6,8,Rv.21:3; Lk.21:29-33) “The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will not pass.” Indeed John tells us of his vision that once “the former heavens and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no longer,” he saw “new heavens and a new earth,” which are, of course, founded on the Word of God, given life by the breath of His mouth alone. Yes, in the great Evangelist’s vision there was “One who sat on” “a large white throne,” and “the earth and th...
Nov 28, 2024•5 min
(Rv.18:1-2,21-23,19:1-3,9; Ps.100:2-5; Lk.21:20-28) “These indeed will be days of retribution, when all that is written must be fulfilled.” The destruction of the world and the coming of the kingdom is our clear theme today. It is what is written. It is what must be fulfilled. “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!” that “dwelling place for demons,” cries out an angel by whose authority and glory “all the earth was lighted up.” He calls down the destruction of the evil empire that is the city of ...
Nov 27, 2024•6 min
(Rv.15:1-4; Ps.98:1-3,7-9,Rv.15:13; Lk.21:12-19) “By patient endurance you will save your lives.” Jesus tells His disciples bluntly: “People will manhandle and persecute you.” Some will be “put to death” as they are “brought to give witness on account of” His name – “All will hate you because of me.” Yet in their witness He promises to provide “words and a wisdom” to serve as an impenetrable defense against their enemies… and in the end, after persevering through all suffering, eternal life shal...
Nov 26, 2024•4 min
(Rv.14:14-19; Ps.96:10-13; Lk.21:5-11) “Use your sickle and cut down the harvest, for now is the time to reap.” Brothers and sisters, you will “hear of wars and insurrections,” and “there will be great earthquakes, plagues, and famines in various places, and in the sky fearful omens and great signs.” “These things are bound to happen first, but the end does not follow immediately.” The end does not follow immediately from the signs, so do not set your hearts upon them – “take care not to be misl...
Nov 25, 2024•5 min
(Rv.14:1-5; Ps.24:1-6; Lk.21:1-4) “They are pure and follow the Lamb wherever He goes.” Here is answered most definitively the question David sings: “Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place?” In John’s vision, the Lord Jesus, the Lamb of God “was standing on Mount Zion, and with Him were the hundred and forty-four thousand who had His name and the name of His Father written on their foreheads.” Here are they who are worthy to stand with the perfect and pure On...
Nov 24, 2024•5 min
