Dominican Friars
Province of St. Albert the Great, USA

Know Before You Go

The Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Know Before You Go

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time, exploring how we can discern true prophets from false prophets. The Prophet Jeremiah reminds us to expect our faith to flourish like a tree planted by a river that fears no doubt. St. Paul reminds us to root our faith in the resurrection of Christ. And our Gospel is Luke's version of the Beatitudes, which matches each "Blessed are you" with a corresponding "woe are you" to that while he gives comfort to the poor, he also warns of the dangers that riches bring, and while he praises trues prophets, who always invite trouble on themselves, he warms against being false prophets, who get praised by all because they tell them what they want to hear instead of speaking God's truth, which is usually challenging.

Readings: Jeremiah 17:5–8; 1 Corinthians 15:12, 16–20;  Luke 6:17, 20–26

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Know Before You Go is a ministry of the provincial office to help people prepare to hear the readings and preaching of the approaching Sunday's Mass. We welcome any feedback you have at know@opcentral.org . You can see them all below, or you can see other preaching by a particular person by clicking on his name.

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  •

    The Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Fr. Jimmy Marchionda, OP breaks open the readings for the Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time around the theme that, through no merit of our own, God moves us from unworthiness to worthiness. We can see this in the call of Isaiah the prophet, Peter's response to the miracle catch of fish by saying, "Leave me Lord, for I am a sinful man," and by Paul telling us that he went from persecuting Christians to being an Apostle solely by the grace of God. God does not define us by our flaws, but by our grace-fueled potential.

    Readings: Isaiah 6:1–2a, 3–8; 1 Corinthians 15:1–11; Luke 5:1–11
  •

    The Presentation of the Lord

    Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. As Jesus is presented in the Temple in Jerusalem, the prophet Anna sings his praises and the prophet Simeon declares that he can now die happy because he has seen the salvation God has promised. Can we allow Jesus to take away all our fears, even the fear of death?

    Readings: Malachi 3:1–4; Psalm 24:7, 8, 9, 10; Hebrews 2:14–18; Luke 2:22–40.

  • The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings on this Sunday which celebrates the Word of God Sunday, in which the people of God realize how they had wandered far from the obeying the Word of God, and were struggling to come back. But in Good News, in the New Testament, Jesus offers us a new way to fulfill this calling together.

    Readings: Nehemiah 8:2–4a, 5–6, 8–10; 1 Corinthians 12:12–30; Luke 1:1–4; 4:14–21
  •

    The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Fr. Charlie Bouchard, OP breaks open the readings for the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, where Jesus turns water into wine. This sign speaks of Jesus' divine authority, but it also speaks of how God wants everyone to have enough. Jesus was dealing with a real scarcity, but many people manufacture artificial scarcities to gain a financial, political, or spiritual advantage over others. These scarcities need to be eliminated.

    Readings: Isaiah 62:1–5; 1 Corinthians 12:4–11; John 2:1–11
  •

    The Baptism of the Lord

    Fr. Brendan Curran OP breaks open the readings for the Baptism of the Lord. As John baptised Jesus in the Jordan River, we are invited to imagine being on the banks of the river searching our own souls for what we need to change in our own lives. What do we need to do to prepare a way for God to come more fully into the world? Can we embrace our own Baptismal call to be authentic witnesses of Christ?

    Readings: Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11; Titus 2:11–14; 3:4–7; Luke 3:15–16, 21–22
  •

    Epiphany Sunday

    Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for Epiphany Sunday. In the first reading it is prophesied that all the nations will go up to Jerusalem bringing gifts of gold and frankincense. In the Gospel, the magi follow the star to Jesus and give him gold, frankincense... and myrrh, an incense used in divine worship and in burying Jesus, noting his divinity and the sacrifice of his life. In the second reading, Paul reminds us that Jesus came for everyone, both Jews and gentiles.

    Readings: Isaiah 60:1–6; Ephesians 3:2–3a, 5–6; Matthew 2:1–12
  •

    The Feast of the Holy Family

    Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the readings for the Feast of the Holy Family, which celebrates Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, but which also calls all families to holiness. In the Gospel, Joseph and Mary move towards letting Jesus go, allowing him to be part of something larger than their own family, a practice we can all try in our own families.

    Readings: 1 Samuel 1:20–22, 24–28; 1 John 3:1–2, 21–24; Luke 2:41–52
  •

    The Fourth Sunday of Advent

    Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, which celebrate the coming messiah. The Prophet Micah promises that one day a ruler will come who will lead justly, not just for Jerusalem, but for the whole world, so that the poor might flourish. The letter to the Hebrews explains how the sacrifice of Jesus actually frees people from sin, unlike the sacrifices in the Temple. Then, in the Gospel of Luke, Mary believes that the time has finally come for these things to come true, helping to bring them about.

    Readings: Micah 5:1–4a; Hebrews 10:5–10; Luke 1:39–45
  •

    The Third Sunday of Advent

    Fr. Charlie Bouchard, OP opens up the readings for us for the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete ("Rejoice") Sunday. In the readings we are challenged to see the coming of our saviour and rejoice in that knowledge, and to ask "what must I do to help bring this great thing about?"

    Readings: Zephaniah 3:14–18a; Philippians 4:4–7; Luke 3:10–18
  •

    The Second Sunday of Advent

    Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, remembering our call to be messengers of hope for a weary world, as was the Prophet Baruch and John the Baptist. God will complete the good work already begun, and let it be done through us.

    Readings: Baruch 5:1–9; Philippians 1:4–6, 8–11; Luke 3:1–6
  •

    The First Sunday of Advent

    Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the First Sunday of Advent, speaking of how to live in the time in between Jesus' first coming and his second coming. Paul says we are to grow the love of others in our heart and follow God more closely. Jesus advises us to stay awake and not be distracted by anxiety. When we do, we lean into the perfection of the second coming and pull away from the hopelessness of the world.

    Readings: Jeremiah 33:14–16; 1 Thessalonians 3:12—4:2; Luke 21:25–28, 34–36
  •

    The Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe

    Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for the Solemnity of Christ the King of the Universe, showing the glory we hope for, and reminding ourselves how the reality we see is not what will be in the Kingdom of God. Thus, as the world struggles to become something better than it is right now, we do not despair at the destruction, but believe in the possibility of what will come.

    Readings: Daniel 7:13–14: Revelation 1:5–8; John 18:33b–37
  •

    The Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time

    Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Thirty-Third Sunday of Ordinary Time, where both Daniel and Jesus predict that the world will fall apart, but God will gather the faithful from the ends of the earth and save them. When our world falls apart, we can fall apart with it in despair, adding to the pain, or we can remember that Jesus is still in the world, still bringing life out of death, and we can look for those signs, trust God, and be beacons of hope for others.

    Readings: Daniel 12:1–3; Hebrews 10:11–14, 18; Mark 13:24–32
  •

    The Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the readings for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. The readings include two widows who give their last pennies to the poor and are thus commended for their generosity. Such generosity is contrasted to the way rich people act and challenges our own response to the widow, the orphan and refugees who have nothing.

    Readings: 1 Kings 17:10-16; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
  •

    The Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Thirty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, expanding on the center of God's law—the shema: love the Lord your God with everything, and love your neighbor as yourself. In the Old Testament and the New, this does not change, and it requires us to actually live according to our love in God and neighbor.

    Readings: Deuteronomy 6:2-6; Hebrews 7:23-28; Mark 12:28-34
  •

    The Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, asking if we have eyes of faith to see the world as God sees it? A blind man could see that Jesus could heal him,while the others around him who were not blind did not. The prophet Jeremiah could see that God would rescue the poor and lame first, not the rich and powerful. Let us all ask God for the faith to see.

    Readings: Jeremiah 31:7–9; Hebrews 5:1–6; Mark 10:46–52
  •

    The Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Fr. Charlie Bouchard, OP unpacks the readings for the Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time during this election season. As Jesus asks James and John if they can drink from the that he drinks from, we are asked the same question—can we drink from the cup of compassion, having compassion for sinners as Jesus did? Can we drink from the cup of solidarity with immigrants and the poor? Can we drink from the cup of justice and truth, acknowledging that the deeper truth and the fuller justice lies far beyond simple black and white characterizations.

    Readings: Isaiah 53:10–11; Hebrews 4:14–16; Mark 10:35–45
  •

    The Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, asking us to consider if we seek first the wisdom of God, or do we get caught up chasing wealth or fame? If we think we cannot live up to this call, just lean on Jesus, because nothing is impossible for God.

    Readings: Wisdom 7:7–11; Hebrews 4:12–13; Mark 10:17–30
  •

    The Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Fr. Brian Walker, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, reminding us of the importance of interpreting scripture correctly. When Jesus says "if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out", he does not mean that literally. Better for us to get our eye and our tongue under control and to teach them not to lead us on a path to sin.

    Readings: Numbers 11:25–29; James 5:1–6; Mark 9:38–43, 45, 47–48
  •

    The Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, where the first reading from the Book of Wisdom proclaims that the just one is often persecuted, and then in the Gospel Jesus predicts that he will be persecuted while is his closest disciples squabble about who is the greatest among themselves. The second reading from the Letter of James tells us that selfish ambition leads to quarrels, disorder, "and every foul practice." Do we let our selfish ambitions rule our lives, or can we seek, like Jesus asks us to do, to become servants of all?

    Readings: Wisdom 2:12, 17–20; James 3:16—4:3; Mark 9:30–37
  •

    The Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, where Peter goes from his great confession of faith in Jesus, "You are the Messiah!" to being called "satan" by Jesus just four sentences later. Faith is a fickle thing, and we learn from the Letter of James that it must be lived out to be real. In living it out, there will be ups and downs, but if we stick to the task of living out our faith we will eventually find its fullness.

    Readings: Isaiah 50:4c–9a; James 2:14–18; Mark 8:27–35
  •

    The Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. First, the prophet Isaiah tells a people who were suffering in darkness that God will send a messiah to save them. In the Gospel, Jesus does the things that show that he is the promised messiah, though he does not want everyone to know yet. Then, the second reading is from the Letter of James, a "brother" of Jesus, who does not claim to be the new messiah to carry on Jesus' work. Rather, James claims that Jesus is still alive and is alone the messiah, and is working though him to keep bringing about the kingdom.
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    The Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

    Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. In these readings we learn that we are embedded in a community of faith and are called to inspire others about how to live rightly in this community, embodying in our lives the faith we profess, to help all people can flourish. In this, we can get inspiration by people such as Cesar Chavez who fought for workers' rights.

    Readings: Deuteronomy 4:1-2,​6-8; James 1:17-18,​21-22,​27; Mark 7:1-8,​14-15,​21-23
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