Readings: Isaiah 22:15, 19-23  Psalm 138:1-3, 6, 8  Romans 11:33-36  Matthew 16:13-20 (see also “Peter’s Powers”) Chants Crozier Depicting the Virgin and Child with Two Angels and the Crucifixion, France, ca. 1340-1350 (Museum of Biblical Art) Scott Hahn with David Scott “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!” Paul exclaims in this week’s Epistle. Sunday’s Psalm, too,…

Readings: Isaiah 56:1, 6-7 Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8 Romans 11:13-15, 29-32 Matthew 15:21-28 Chants Mirror of the Blessed Life of Jesus Christ, Printed by William Caxton, Westminster, c. 1490 Scott Hahn with David Scott Most of us are the foreigners, the non-Israelites, about whom this week’s First Reading prophesies. Coming to worship the God of Israel, we stand in…

Readings: 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13  Psalm 85:9-14  Romans 9:1-5  Matthew 14:22-33 Chants Peter Reaching out for Christ on the Sea of Tiberias, Hunterian Psalter, England, c. 1170 Scott Hahn with David Scott How do we find God in the storms and struggles of our lives, in the trials we encounter in trying to do His will? God commands Elijah in…

Readings: Isaiah 55:1-3  Psalm 145:8-9, 15-18  Romans 8:35,37-39  Matthew 14:13-21  Chants Cross of the Holy Monk Mark of the Caves, Kyiv, Ukraine, late 11th c. Scott Hahn with David Scott In Jesus and the Church, Isaiah’s promises in this Sunday’s First Reading are fulfilled. All who are thirsty come to the living waters of baptism (see John 4:14). The hungry…

Readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12  Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130  Romans 8:28-30  Matthew 13:44-52  Chants Mother of God of the Sun, Russian, 19th c. (Museum of Biblical Art) Scott Hahn with David Scott What is your new life in Christ worth to you? Do you love His words more than gold and silver, as we sing in today’s Psalm? Would…

Readings: Wisdom 12:13,16-19  Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16  Romans 8:26-27  Matthew 13:24-43 Chants Memento Mori,German mid-16th c. (Museum of Biblical Art) Scott Hahn with David Scott God is always teaching His people, we hear in this week’s First Reading. And what does He want us to know? That He has care for all of us, that though He is a God…

Readings: Isaiah 55:10-11 Psalm 65:10-14 Romans 8:18-23 Matthew 13:1-23 Chants Man of Sorrows, San Trovaso, Venice, late 16th c. Scott Hahn with David Scott The readings this week, like last week’s, ask us to meditate on Israel’s response to God’s Word—and our own. Why do some hear the word of the kingdom, yet fail to accept it as a call…

Readings: Zechariah 9:9-10  Psalm 145:1-2, 8-11, 13-14  Romans 8:9, 11-13  Matthew 11:25-30 Chants Man of Sorrows, Cristoforo Solari, c.1500 A Yoke for the Childlike Jesus is portrayed in this week’s Gospel as a new and greater Moses. Moses, the meekest man on earth (see Numbers 12:3), was God’s friend (see Exodus 34:12,17). Only he knew God “face to face” (see…

Readings: Jeremiah 20:10-13 Psalm 69:8-10,14,17, 33-35  Romans 5:12-15  Matthew 10:26-33 Chants Calling of the Apostles, Domenico Ghirlandaio, 1481 Be Not Afraid Our commitment to Christ will be put to the test. We will hear whispered warnings and denunciations, as Jeremiah does in this Sunday’s First Reading. Even so-called friends will try to trap and trip us up. For His sake…

Readings: Exodus 19:2-6 Psalm 100: 1-3, 5 Romans 5:6-11 Matthew 9:36-10:8 Chants Christ Taking Leave of the Apostles, Duccio di Buoninsegna, 1309 Kingdom of Priests The words God speaks to Israel in this week’s First Reading are intended for us as well. The Church is the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises to Israel - a kingdom of priests, and a…