Theological Reflections

May 18, 2008 - Feast of the Blessed Trinity Prepared by Sr. Peg Kilduff, MM with Fr. Tom Burns, MM, Lima, Peru

Provided by Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns 

First reading: Exodus 34: 4b-6-8-9; Psalm: Daniel 3: 52-56; Second reading: 2Corinthians 13, 11-13; Gospel: John 3: 16-18.

May 25, 2008 - Corpus Christi Sunday Prepared by Bro. Mark Gruenke, MM, Namibia and Brazil

Provided by Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

1st reading: Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14-16; Responsorial psalm: Psalms 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20; 2nd reading: First Corinthians 10:16-17; Gospel: John 6:51-58.

Sunday, April 27 - Sixth Sunday of Easter Prepared by Marie Dennis, director, Maryknoll Global Concerns office

Readings for April 27: First Reading: Acts 8:5-8, 14-17; Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 66:1-3, 4-5, 6-7, 16, 20; Second Reading: First Peter 3:15-18; and Gospel: John 14:15-21.

One of my favorite passages in Scripture is this one from First Peter Chapter 3: "Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks for a reason for your hope."

June 1, 2008 -- Ninth Sunday of Ordinary Time Prepared by Sr. Ann Braudis, MM, the Philippines

Provided by Maryknoll Office for Global Concern

Deuteronomy 11: 18, 26-28; Psalms 31: 2-3, 3-4, 17, 25; Romans 3: 21-25, 28; Matthew 7: 21-27. "I'm coming back in 500 years. First thing I'm gonna do When I get back here Is see these things I love. And, they better be here!" These words are from the Holly Near song, "Bound by the Beauty."

May 4, 2008 - Seventh Sunday of Easter Prepared by Fr. Mike Snyder, MM, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Readings for May 4, 2008: First reading: Acts 1:12-14; Responsorial psalm: Psalms 27:1, 4, 7-8; Second reading: First Peter 4:13-16; Gospel: John 17:1-11

May 11, 2008 - Pentecost Sunday Prepared by Joanne Blaney, Maryknoll Lay Missioners, Sao Paulo, Brazil

First reading: Acts 2:1-11; Responsorial psalm: Psalms 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34; Second reading: First Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13; Gospel: John 20:19-23;

The feast of Pentecost dates back to the first century and originated from the Jewish feast of weeks, occurring 50 days after Passover. For the Jewish people, Pentecost was a feast of celebration in thanksgiving for the harvest. Processions led to the temple in Jerusalem where the first fruits of the harvest were offered.

1st Reading: Acts 1:1-11We are Jesus' witnesses to the ends of the earth. With the disciples, we peer into the void as Jesus is hidden from our view, but as the two men in white robes admonish us, "Why are you looking up to heaven?" They affirm that our work is here on earth. It is urgent that we get on with it.

Resp: Psalm 47:2-3, 6-9God's authority, conferred on Jesus, is over all the peoples of the earth. No one is left out.

April 13, 2008 - Fourth Sunday of Easter "The Good Shepherd" Readings: Acts 2:14, 36-41, Psalms 23:1-3, 3-4, 5, 6, First Peter 2:20-25, John 10:1-10 Prepared by Alicia Butkiewicz, Maryknoll Lay Missioners

Today is commonly known as "Good Shepherd Sunday." It's also known as "Vocations Sunday," a day when our church prays especially for new shepherds and pastors to lead the Christian communities.

March 30, 2008 - Second Sunday of Easter "Divine Mercy Sunday" Readings: Acts 2:42-47; First Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 Prepared by Fr. John Barth, MM

Today's first reading from the Acts of the Apostles tells us that after the resurrection of Jesus, a large number of people brought the sick to the Apostles and they were all cured. The gospel tells of how Thomas was slow to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead.

April 6, 2008 -- Third Sunday of Easter Readings: Acts 2:14, 22-28; Psalms 16: 1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11; First Peter 1: 17-21; Luke 24: 13-35 Prepared by Fr. Raymond Finch, MM, Cochabamba, Bolivia

• First reading: The apostles explain how God works through human history - even in their betrayal of Jesus. • Responsorial psalm: You will show me the path to life, abounding joy in your presence, the delights at your right hand forever. • Second reading: God's plan to save us in Christ began before the beginning of time.