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Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain—and so it does; and when you notice that the wind is blowing from the south you say that it is going to be hot—and so it is. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky; why do you not know how to interpret the present time?” Luke 12:54–56Today, when we want to know the weather forecast, we turn to an app, a website, or the evening...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus said to his disciples: “I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing! There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished!” Luke 12:49–50What a powerful image! Jesus declares His desire to set the earth on fire—not just a small fire, but a fire that is already blazing. A small fire gives warmth and light, but a blazing fire consumes everything in its path. Jesus is speaking of the purifying and transforming fire of divine love....

Daily Readings from the USCCB“That servant who knew his master’s will but did not make preparations nor act in accord with his will shall be beaten severely; and the servant who was ignorant of his master’s will but acted in a way deserving of a severe beating shall be beaten only lightly. Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” Luke 12:47–48This sobering conclusion to Jesus’ parable about the watchful servant and the thief contains some of His most direct and weightiest teachings on personal responsibility,...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus said to his disciples: “Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.” Luke 12:35–36In biblical times, men wore long tunics that extended below the knees, often to the ankles. Though suitable for daily life, these garments could hinder strenuous activity. To “gird one’s loins,” a man would pull the back hem of his tunic forward between his legs, gather the fabric in front, and tuck it into his belt—creating a kind of makeshift pair of...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Saints John de Brébeuf and Isaac Jogues, Priests, and Companions, MartyrsSomeone in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” He replied to him, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” Then he said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” Luke 12:13–15Imagine if you were exceptionally rich. Would great wealth change your life? For many people, it would. In today’s Gospel, Jesus addresses material wealth directly, identifying greed...

Daily Readings from the USCCBTwenty-ninth Sunday in Ordinary TimeThe Pharisees went off and plotted how they might entrap him in speech. They sent their disciples to him, with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are a truthful man and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. And you are not concerned with anyone’s opinion, for you do not regard a person’s status. Tell us, then, what is your opinion: Is it lawful to pay the census tax to Caesar or not?” Matthew 22:15–17The Herodians were a political group who supported the rule of...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Saint Ignatius of Antioch, Bishop and MartyrJesus said to his disciples: “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God. But whoever denies me before others will be denied before the angels of God. Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.” Luke 12:8–10Why would those who speak a word against the Son of Man be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit...

Daily Readings from the USCCB“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body but after that can do no more. I shall show you whom to fear. Be afraid of the one who after killing has the power to cast into Gehenna; yes, I tell you, be afraid of that one.” Luke 12:4–5Physical harm, or even death, is not the greatest threat we face. Certainly, many people fear the idea of dying suddenly; when such a tragedy occurs, the deceased’s loved ones rightly enter into mourning. The pain of loss is real. Jesus, however,...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Saint Teresa of Jesus, Virgin and Doctor of the Church“Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.” When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things, for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say. Luke 11:52–54Jesus speaks of the grave failure among the scholars of the law who “have taken away the key of knowledge.” This key symbolizes the...

Daily Readings from the USCCBThen one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.” And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.” Luke 11:45–46Just prior to this exchange, Jesus delivered three piercing rebukes to the Pharisees: “Woe to you Pharisees!” He condemned them for ignoring “judgment and love for God,” for seeking “the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces,” and for being “like...

Daily Readings from the USCCBAfter Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal. Luke 11:37–38Did Jesus break the Law of Moses by failing to observe the prescribed ritual handwashing before sitting down to eat? He did not. This ceremonial washing was not a precept of the Mosaic Law but rather a tradition developed by the elders. It was intended to signify ritual purity before meals. But Jesus rejected it because it...

Daily Readings from the USCCBWhile still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.” Luke 11:29–30Imagine a homily beginning with these words: “This generation is an evil generation…” Such a proclamation would surely draw attention and perhaps provoke outrage. Yet these are the very words our Lord spoke to a growing crowd. The “generation” Jesus condemned was...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus again in reply spoke to the chief priests and elders of the people in parables, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be likened to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. He dispatched his servants to summon the invited guests to the feast, but they refused to come.” Matthew 22:1–3Today’s parable is part of Jesus’ final teachings in Jerusalem during Holy Week. It continues His direct confrontation with the religious leaders of Israel—specifically, the chief priests and elders. Through this story, Jesus unveils the mystery of the Kingdom, the tragedy of Israel’s...

Daily Readings from the USCCBWhile Jesus was speaking, a woman from the crowd called out and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that carried you and the breasts at which you nursed.” He replied, “Rather, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Luke 11:27–28Any loving mother would understand the sentiment expressed by this woman in the crowd. We can reasonably infer that she was likely a mother herself, one who took great joy in her children. After being deeply moved by Jesus’ words and presence, she looked upon Him with maternal admiration, expressing the...

Daily Readings from the USCCBWhen Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said: “By the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.” Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven. But he knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste and house will fall against house. And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” Luke 11:15–18The name Beelzebul is first found in 2 Kings 1, where it refers to a false god worshiped by the Philistines in Ekron....

Daily Readings from the USCCB“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Luke 11:9–10Prayer is our lifeline to God. It opens the door to the outpouring of His grace. If we need grace every day—and we do—then, we need to pray every day. When we form a habit of prayer, it becomes the central foundation of our identity, enabling us to live as...

Daily Readings from the USCCBMemorial of Our Lady of the RosaryJesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.” Luke 11:1–4Imagine witnessing Jesus in prayer. Every word and gesture would radiate a sacred...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” Luke 10:38–40Why was Martha burdened with much serving? The Greek word translated as “burdened” literally suggests being dragged around or pulled in every direction. Though her actions were inspired by love, they were...

Daily Readings from the USCCBJesus replied, “A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho. They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead. A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.” Luke 10:30–33Jews viewed Samaritans as heretics, and Samaritans often harbored disdain for Jews. Though...

Daily Readings from the USCCBTwenty-seventh Sunday in Ordinary TimeJesus said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures: The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; by the Lord has this been done, and it is wonderful in our eyes? Therefore, I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people that will produce its fruit.” Matthew 21:42–43The Parable of the Wicked Tenants is rich in Old Testament imagery. The image of the vineyard comes from the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 5:1–7) and represents the people of Israel. The...