THE SOLEMNITY OF THE MOST HOLY TRINITY, CYCLE C JOHN 16:12-15 (Proverbs 8:22-31; Ps. 8:4-5, 6-7, 8-9; Romans 5:1-5)  Before commenting on the gospel reading of the Feast of the Holy Trinity, it is worthwhile to give a brief history of the development of this feast. Devotion to the Holy Trinity...
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PENTECOST SUNDAY, CYCLE C JOHN 19:20-23 (Acts 2:1-11; Ps. 104:1, 24, 29-30,31,34; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7,12-13) The liturgy of the Ascension of the Lord presented us with two quite different narratives proclaiming the ascension. Both narratives were composed by Luke, one in his gospel, the other in...
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ASCENSION OF THE LORD, CYCLE C LUKE 24:46-53 (ACTS 1:1-11; Ps.47:2-3, 6-7, 8-9; Eph.l:17-23 or Hebrew 9:24-28-10:19-23)  The gospel for the Feast of the Ascension begins with the only post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to his disciples. Before our gospel reading begins, Jesus first had to d...
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SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE C JOHN 14:23-29 (Acts 15:1-2, 22-29; Ps. 67:2-3, 5,6,8; Revelation 21:10-14,22-23) The context of this Sunday's gospel reading is the Last Supper discourse in John's gospel. The theme is Jesus' departure from his disciples. In the context of the Last Supper discourse,...
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FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE C JOHN 13:31-33a, 34-35 (Acts 14:21-27; Ps. 145:8-9,10-11,12-13; Revelation 21:l-5a)  The general context of this gospel reading is the Last Supper. The specific context is a solemn statement that "one of you will betray me." Great consternation follows. The disci...
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FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE C JOHN 10:27-30 (Acts 13:14, 43-52; Psalm 100:1-2,3-5; Revelation 7:9,14b, 17)   The very brief gospel reading of this Sunday is a sequel to and summary of the Parable of the Good Shepherd. Between the presentation of the parable and its summary John quotes vario...
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THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE C JOHN 21:1-19 (Acts 5:27-32,40b-4; Ps. 30:2,4,5-6,11-12,13; Revelation 5:11-14)   This Sunday's gospel includes most of John 21, which could be called the postscript to the rest of John's gospel. The primary purpose of the chapter is to justify the role of Simon...
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SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER, CYCLE C JOHN 20:19-31 (Acts 5:12-16; Ps. 118:2-4,13-15,22-24; Revelation 9:l-lla, 12-13,17-19)   The gospel reading of the Second Sunday of Easter includes the first and second post resurrection appearances of Jesus to his disciples. The first appearance takes place on...
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EASTER SUNDAY OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE LORD, CYCLE C LUKE 24:1-14 (Acts 10:34a, 37-43; Ps.l 18:1-2,16-17,22-23; 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8)   Why do we use the name "Easter" for the celebration of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus? The origin of this usage is obscure. St. Bede the Venerable, (die...
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PALM SUNDAY OF THE PASSION OF THE LORD, CYCLE C LUKE 22:14 - 23:56 (Isaiah 50:4-7; Psalm 22:8-9; 17-18,19-20,23-24; Phil. 2:6-11)   There are four Passion Narratives. Each expresses the theology of the author. There are considerable differences among them. Mark's Passion Narrative is thought t...
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