Happy New Year! If this strikes you as a bit premature, it isn't really because this Sunday marks the start of the new Church year. In the Catholic Church, the first Sunday of Advent is the beginning of the cycle of readings, holy days, and holidays for roughly the next 365 days. It's also the time of year not only when we are called to prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus at Christmas, but also when we are asked to examine our lives and take stock, spiritually speaking.
Up Next in Opening the Word
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September 13, 2020 - 24th Sunday in O...
Since most of us of us have trouble forgiving even once or twice, the standard set in today's Gospel is hard to comprehend. To help Peter, and us, understand that we are to forgive so much because we have been forgiven so much, Jesus tells the parable of the servant who owed a great debt to his m...
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Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (C...
When we receive Holy Communion, we hear the words, “This is my Body” and “This is my Blood,” to which we dutifully answer, “Amen.” But have you ever considered exactly what those words mean?
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2nd Sunday of Advent—December 4, 2016
It may seem odd that, just as the secular world begins to celebrate peace and joy during the holiday season, we are asked in this week's Gospel to consider our sinfulness. The words of John the Baptist echo across the centuries: "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" Isn't John's talk ab...
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