Know Before You Go

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for Gaudete Sunday, reminding us that Isaiah knew his role was to bring good news to the poor, and John the Baptist knew his role was to prepare the way. Each of us should be open to understanding our role in this unfolding drama of God's plan.

Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Second Sunday of Advent, pointing out that the readings challenge us to try to become whole and holy, and to allow God to heal us.

Fr. Brian Walker, OP opens up the readings for the First Sunday of Advent, reminding us not to rush to thoughts of Christmas , but instead, ask ourselves how we need to change to prepare for Christmas, so that we might recognize God's coming in the face of others who are different than us.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the word for this great Solemnity, assuring us that God has invited us to participate in his work of bringing about the Reign of God. Our part, if we choose to accept it, it is care for the poor, feed the hungry, and serve those who are in need. Are you on board?

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the parable of the talents from the scripture for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus left the church to carry on his work, and will come back at the end of time and judge us for what we did with what we were given.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Thirty Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, with its parable of the ten wise and foolish virgins, reminding us that God grants wisdom to anyone who asks, and now is the time to ask.

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for the Thirty First Sunday in Ordinary Time, with Jesus' famous statement, "call no one on earth your father, for you have one Father in Heaven." Jesus was warning those who would have a role of leadership in the Church not to exploit their privilege, but to humbly serve others for the sake of the Gospel. Today, we might also take the opportunity to name the ways in which our community has been hurt because of these abuses.

Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, suggesting that we look to the example of the saints to find real answers to the difficult question of how to love our neighbor in a confusing and broken world.

Fr. Brian Walker, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time. Jesus tells us, "Give to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God." Each of us has to find our own way to balance that.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the parable of the Wedding Feast in the Gospel of Matthew and its parallel in Isaiah, pointing out that God is preparing a banquet in heaven and all are invited, but those who want to go are challenged to respond properly to the invitation.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time, in which Jesus reworks Isaiah's parable of the vineyard, making the point that anyone is welcome in the vineyard of the Lord as long as they produce its harvest of justice.

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, with Jesus' parable about the vineyard owner who hires people all through the day, but ends up paying them all the same—a full day's wage. In the end, God is equally grateful to everyone who Join in the mission of saving the world, no matter how long they have been doing it.

Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time with a new take on forgiveness and why we need to do it seventy times seventy times (always).

Fr. Brian Walker, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, reminding us of Jesus' command to work together, always trying to repair our relationships with one another, for the sake of the kingdom.

Fr. James Marchionda, OP breaks open the readings for the Twenty Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, explaining that to pick up our cross and follow Jesus means more than "suffering, for the sake of the Gospel," but to have the wisdom to know God's particular call for us and to have the courage to act on it.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP unpacks the readings for the Twenty First Sunday in Ordinary Time, in which Jesus responds to Peter's profession of faith by promising to give him the keys to the kingdom of heaven.

Br. Joe Trout, OP breaks open the readings for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, in which Jesus tells us he is only here for the Children of Israel and Paul tells us he is here for the Gentiles. WHo are we here to serve?

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP breaks open the readings for the Nineteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, reflecting on Jesus as the calm amidst the storm of life.

Jesus was Transfigured on the mountain in order to strengthen Peter, James, and John for the his death and the task that lied ahead of them. Fr. Charles Bouchard, OP breaks open the readings for the Feast of the Transfiguration to say that this vision should strengthen us all to face our own death and the death of those we love with realistic hope and faith.

Breaking open the readings for the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. James Marchionda, OP reminds us that if we have God's plan as our highest goal, whatever befalls us, we can be sure that God will make things well in the end.

Fr. Brendan Curran, OP breaks open the readings for the Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, where Jesus uses a series of agricultural parables to teach how how to grow into true holiness, helping others to grow into it as well.

Unpacking the Parable of the Sower, Fr. Brian Walker, OP reminds us that as we sow, so shall we reap—so we need to watch how we live our lives and how we sow the seeds God has given us.

Fr. Scott Steinkerchner, OP unpacks the readings for the Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time, with its classic reading, "Come to me all who labor and are burdened, and I shall give you rest." Fr. Scott interprets this using the first reading from the prophet Zechariah, who speaks of a humble saviour, who does not come on a war horse, but on the foal of a donkey, and banishes all of the instruments of war. Embracing this saviour brings peace.

Jesus assures us that even if we just give a cup a water to one of his little ones, we would not be without reward. Fr. Andrew Carl Wisdom, OP asks us to think if we work just for ourselves, or do we use our personal influence to help others?