"No prophet is accepted in his own native place."

The Gospel reading for this Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, continues the story we heard last Sunday. Jesus startles the people of his town with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honor among his own. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study with family, friends and church groups.

From Amazement to Fury

Back in Nazareth, at the synagogue Sabbath service, our Lord declares that the Messianic prophecy of Isaiah has found fulfillment in him. This drew mixed reactions among his townsfolk. He then angers them when he complimented the gentiles who seemed to have shown more faith in God than the "chosen ones" of Israel. Jesus' praise for "outsiders" causes them offense because they were blind-sighted to God's mercy and plan of redemption for all nations. The people's initial response of amazement and approval turns into fury and a desire to kill him.

A Hymn of Love

In Paul’s beautiful First Letter to the Corinthians he lists the qualities necessary for those who enter the Kingdom of God:

Love is patient, love is kind.
It is not jealous, it is not pompous,
It is not inflated, it is not rude,
it does not seek its own interests,
it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,
it does not rejoice over wrongdoing
but rejoices with the truth.
It bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails.

The Old Testament reading from Jeremiah (1:4-5, 17-19) and Gospel passage from Luke (4:21-30) offer us an opportunity to reflect on the blessings, burdens and risks of authentic prophets in our Judeo-Christian tradition. So why is this Second Reading from St. Paul placed in the middle of two readings where prophets are trying to change people’s attitudes or hearts? What changes people for the better? Find the answers in the Sunday homilies we have compiled for you this week at this link. You can also read our full coverage of this week's Catholic world by clicking here.

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief



BURNING QUESTION: Should Mass be offered for those who oppose the Church?
FEATURED BLOG: Why Prophets Aren't Popular
PASTORAL HISPANA: Signo de Contradiccion
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"Today this Scripture passage is fulfilled in your hearing."

On Sunday, January 27, 2013, we will read Luke 1:1-4, 4:14-21, where our Lord proclaims himself as the Messiah, fulfilling what Isaiah prophesied. In the gospel, the Lord invites us to discover the mission that we share with him. .Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study with family, friends and church groups.

When Jesus stood in the Nazareth synagogue, it was an "electric" moment. He took the Isaiah scroll and began to read from chapter 61. The text from Isaiah was taken from a collection of poems about the last days, which foretold the redemption of Jerusalem and symbolized the renewal of the people of Israel. When these words are placed on Jesus' lips, Fr. Thomas Rosica says they identify our Lord as the messianic prophet of the final times, and they announce his mission: to proclaim the Good News, liberate men and women, and tell them of God's grace. The whole of Jesus' ministry therefore must be understood in this perspective.

This weekend also marks the U.S. observance of Sanctity of Life Sunday, so designated to be the Sunday closest to the Jan 22 anniversary of Roe V. Wade. You will find a lengthy coverage of the Life issue in this week's issue of ParishWorld.net.

You will find all of the Sunday homilies we have compiled for you this week at this link. You can also read our full coverage of this week's Catholic world by clicking here.

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief


BURNING QUESTION: Sanctity of Life: "Protection or Celebration of Life?"
FEATURED BLOG: The Unborn Paradox
PASTORAL HISPANA: Jesus Inicia el Anuncio del Reino

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"You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased."

Last Sunday, we celebrated the Solemnity of the Epiphany, where Jesus, the newborn Child, was revealed as King and Savior of all. On Sunday, the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism, we will hear of another ‘epiphany.’ Now a full grown man, Jesus is revealed in the gospel reading from Luke 3:15-16, 21-22 as “one mightier than John,” as “the Father’s beloved son”, and as “the Holy Spirit’s anointed one”. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study with family, friends and church groups.

This celebration of Jesus being baptized by John in the Jordan River marks the end of the Christmas Season and the beginning of Ordinary Time. It is the only Sunday of the year that belongs to two seasons. It's also an event that is recorded in all four gospels, so we know it's important.

When Jesus is baptized, the voice from heaven booms out and names him: "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." This affirmation is the defining moment for the prophet from Nazareth. It is God's declaration of love to God's new Israel; it is God's naming to supreme accountability; it is God's surprise for the world of the proud and powerful.

You will find all of the Sunday homilies we have compiled for you this week at this link. You can also read our full coverage of this week's Catholic world by clicking here.

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief

BURNING QUESTION: Why must Catholic parents baptize their babies?
FEATURED BLOG: Are Canonized Saints the Only People in Heaven?
PASTORAL HISPANA: El Bautismo nos da el poder para transformar el mundo

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"Where is the newborn king of the Jews?"

The Feast of the Epiphany which we celebrate this Sunday, Jan. 6, 2012, is well known with its ever-popular story of the three wise men who visited the newborn Jesus. Our Discussion Questions will guide your Sunday Bible Study with family, friends and church groups.

Matthew shaped the story well to point out that from the very beginning of his life, Jesus was rejected by the Jewish leaders and accepted by the gentiles. The ‘magi from the east’ represent the gentiles. They knew things that king Herod and the Jewish leaders did not. That is why he and others were so shocked to hear from the ‘magi’ that they had come to pay homage to the newborn king of the Jews.

You will find all of the Sunday homilies we have compiled for you this week at this link. You can also read our full coverage of this week's Catholic world by clicking here.

Another eventful week in our Catholic World. Have a great and blessed new week.

Keep the Faith. Peace.

Wally Arida
Publisher & Editor in chief






BURNING QUESTION: Is it ever permitted to lie?
FEATURED BLOG: The true origins of Jesus
PASTORAL HISPANA: La fiesta de la Epifania

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