SUNDAY REFLECTIONS with FR. FRANCIS

Wisdom 6: 12-16; 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18; Matthew 25: 1-13 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) The choice of Wisdom today is dictated by its relationship with the Gospel reading. The Book of Wisdom, attributed to Solomon, was composed sometime in the first half of the first century before Christ by an anonymous Jewish author in Alexandria, Egypt. It is thus the last of the Old Testament scriptures to be written. Today's selection is part of a section in which Solomon is, purported

Revelation 7:2–4, 9–14; 1 John 3:1–3; Matthew 5:1–12a (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate the Solemnity of All Saints. This is a beautiful feast because it reminds us of two important truths: heaven is our final home, and holiness is our calling. When we hear the word saint, what comes to mind? Perhaps Saint Francis of Assisi, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, or Saint Augustine. We think of holy people who lived extraordinary live

Exodus 22: 20-26; 1 Thessalonians 1: 5c-10; Matthew 22: 34-40 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) There is a loose connection among today's readings that seems to center on the two outstanding precepts of the Mosaic Law: the love of God with all one's mind, heart, and will, and the love of one's neighbor as oneself. Jesus answers the scribe's question with a clarity that goes straight to the point. The purpose of the 613 specific provisions of the Old Law is summarized in the comma

Isaiah 45: 1, 4-6; 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-5b; Matthew 22: 15-21 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) In the first reading, Isaiah encouraged his contemporaries with the news that their political fortunes were changing for the better, not simply because one earthly power had prevailed over another but because God had so willed and provided. The Matthean Jesus, when confronted by adversaries, counseled his listeners regarding their proper and respective allegiances to civil authorities

Isaiah 25: 6-10a; Philippians 4: 12-14, 19-20; Matthew 22: 1-14 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) Today's readings present two perspectives on the same reality. The prophet Isaiah speaks of the abundant providence of the Lord of hosts for all peoples. The date is set in the future, when the Lord God will provide a feast, remove the veil that keeps us from seeing, put an end to suffering, and destroy death. On that day people will rejoice on seeing God and experiencing His salvati

Isaiah 5: 1-7; Philippians 4: 6-9; Matthew 21: 33-43 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) On this Sunday, Isaiah tells us a parable about a vineyard, its owner, and wild or bad grapes. The vineyard is the Israelites; the owner is God who cares for them; and the wild or bad grapes are the results of the harvest: the numerous infidelities of the Israelites. God is always faithful, and the Israelites are often unfaithful. God is deeply disappointed with the Israelites. And Isaiah may b

Ezekiel 18: 25-28; Philippians 2: 1-11 or 2: 1-5; Matthew 21: 28-32 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) Today’s readings emphasize that whatever we do is the real measure of our belief in God. The prophet Ezekiel stresses individual responsibility for one’s own actions. There is only one way to “life”: by living a virtuous life now. This way is open to anyone who, by his actions, does what is right. Jesus, in St. Matthew’s Gospel, distinguishes clearly between those considered nomi

Isaiah 55: 6-9; Philippians 1: 20c-24, 27a; Matthew 20: 1-16 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) In today's first reading, Isaiah tells us why the Kingdom of heaven is something else. When we say that a person or a thing is something else, we usually mean that the person or thing is admirably out of the ordinary. It is because: "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isa 55:9). As soon as anyone thinks he

Sirach 27: 30-28: 7; Romans 14: 7-9; Matthew 18: 21-35 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) The readings today speak about anger and hatred. They offer us one of the most challenging themes of Christian life, namely turning away from anger and forgiving others. The key message is that we cannot receive forgiveness unless we too are ready to forgive our brothers and sisters. The first reading from the Book of Sirach links forgiveness to our prayer life. “Forgive your neighbor the wro

Ezekiel 33: 7-9; Romans 13: 8-10; Matthew 18: 15-20 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) Today’s Scripture readings from both the prophet Ezekiel and St. Matthew’s Gospel mention the grave responsibility we have toward others. Therefore, the phrase "It's none of my business" is neither biblical nor acceptable in the practice of the Christian life. Such an expression echoes a passage that we are familiar with from the Book of Genesis, where it states, "Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Wh

Jeremiah 20: 7-9; Romans 12: 1-2; Matthew 16: 21-27 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) There is a common contrast running through today’s Readings between the life God calls us to and the many ways of not living up to that calling. St. Matthew’s Gospel tells us that suffering is an integral part of the earthly experience of God’s life. Jesus forewarns his disciples of his coming clash with the elders and the chief priests, and of his death and Resurrection. It is easy to imagine h

Isaiah 22: 15, 19-23; Romans 11: 33-36; Matthew 16: 13-20 (Rev. Francis Perry Azah) On this Sunday, each of the readings for the liturgy puts before our consideration the notion of authority. In the first reading, Isaiah recounts the transference of power from one who has proven unworthy of the responsibility to another. The gospel narrative comprises Jesus’ designation of Peter as the rock and leader of the community of believers. There is a striking parallel between the rea

Isaiah 56: 1, 6-7; Romans 11: 13-15, 29-32; Matthew 15: 21-28 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) In today’s readings, God shows us how He has elevated the status of foreigners (Christian Gentiles who never belonged to the ranks of the people of God) to that of citizens of heaven because of their belief in and commitment to Christ. They have been re-created and made a new people of God. By God’s grace, you and I belong to this new people of God, the New Israel, and the citizens of

1 Kings 19:9.11-13; Romans 9:1-5; Matthew 14:22-33 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) When caught in the storms of life, afraid of drowning in our troubles; depressed, and suddenly the Lord is there to calm our fears: “Do not be afraid.” What a joy this might be? The readings this Sunday invite us to reflect on the Lord who saves us in the storms of our life. Both the Book of Kings and St. Matthew’s Gospel recall an appearance of God in natural phenomena. In the first reading from

Isaiah 55: 1-3; Romans 8: 35, 37-39; Matthew 14: 13-21 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) The contemporaries of the prophet Isaiah, and those of Jesus, were familiar with the daily struggle of earning enough food for themselves and their families; the very idea of plentiful, free food was, in itself, a feast for the mind. But, in addition to providing for their physical appetites, the Lord was also offering to satisfy the spiritual hungers of his people. Perhaps in this regard mod

1 Kings 3: 5, 7-12; Romans 8: 28-30; Matthew 13: 44-46 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) Dearly Beloved in Christ, in today’s readings, God gives us an idea of how crucial the Kingdom of heaven we each yearn for is. This priceless Kingdom is worth more than possessions, silver and gold; this Kingdom is like a treasure which a man finds hidden in a field and goes and sells all he has just to buy it; it is like a pearl of great value which a man finds and sells all he has to buy it

Wisdom 12: 13, 16-19; Romans 8: 26-27; Matthew 13: 24-43 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) In the First Reading from the Book of Wisdom, we hear that God governs with great lenience. When we repent of our sins, God always forgives us. The Book of Wisdom speaks of the Lord as the absolute standard and reference point of all human judgments and criteria. The Lord is all-powerful, merciful, and just. God’s merciful restraint of his power and justice teaches us to act in the same way

Isaiah 55: 10-11; Romans 8: 18-23; Matthew 13: 1-23 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) The Word of God is a term for both God’s message through preaching and writings, and the consequences of the characters and events remembered in sacred scripture. The Word of God is also a metaphor for the person of Jesus the Christ, who is at once the Son of God, the Savior of the World, the Word Made Flesh, the Redeemer, and more. In today’ first reading, the prophet Isaiah tells us that as th

Zechariah 9:9-10; Romans 8:9, 11-13; Matthew 11:25-30 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) On this Sunday, in different ways, the scriptural texts refer to God’s Kingdom, the final definitive reign of God at the end of time, and its current inner presence in those who accept him. Zechariah urges the Jews to rejoice on the day of the Lord’s coming. He will bring an era of universal peace: the war will end. He is visualized as meekly riding on the foal of an ass. In St. Matthew’s Gosp

2 Kings 4: 8-11, 14-16a; Romans 6: 3-4, 8-11; Matthew 10: 37-42 (Rev. Dr. Francis Perry Azah) Today’s readings show that welcoming has a dual reward: for the welcomed and the “welcomer”. In today’s First Reading, we hear a wonderful story of the “welcomer” receiving a blessing for her reverence and care. Elisha is a holy man, and a childless woman still trusts the Holy One, though barrenness was seen as a kind of curse, and she still hopes. Each year, the prophet would pass h