The Liturgy Podcast from Spirit & Song

"This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand." On Word of God Sunday, Jesus calls us to join him in announcing the Good News of God's reign.

"Rabbi, where are you staying?" He said to them, "Come and you will see." Jesus calls us to follow him. What is our response?

"And a voice came from the heavens, 'You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.'" The Baptism of Jesus is a celebration of our own baptism.

"We saw his star at its rising and have come to do him homage." Jesus Christ is Savior and King for every nation and all peoples!

"When [the shepherds] saw this, they made known the message about this child. And Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart..." Son of God and Son of Mary, the Prince of Peace calls us make this New Year a year of peace.

"When the days were completed for their purification according to the law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord." Joseph and Mary dedicated their infant child to God. Their faith is a model of holiness for our own families.

"And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father's only Son..." Christmas joy! The birth of Jesus brings much needed light into our world.

"Let us go, then, to Bethlehem to see this thing that has taken place." In the City of David, God's promise of salvation has been fulfilled as the Eternal Word is born of Mary, Jesus the Lord.

"For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Christ and Lord." At his very birth, Jesus of Nazareth, born in Bethlehem, was Savior and Lord. Tonight, we adore the infant who became our salvation.

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." Although the Gospels do not record a single word from the lips of Joseph, his faith speaks volumes!

The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God." Mary, the Mother God, found favor with God through her openness to his will. With the Advent of Christ's birth, we renew our own commitment to follow wherever he leads.

"Rejoice always! Pray without ceasing! Give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus." Our Advent journey is nearly complete. Let us all rejoice!

"Mary said, 'Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.'" On this joyful solemnity, we celebrate Mary's great Yes.

"'Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.' John the Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." To prepare for the coming Lord, we turn from our old way of life to seek the face of God with greater fervor.

"Jesus said to his disciples: 'Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.'" Jesus has promised to that he will come again. Advent reminds us that we are to prepare and to be ready for that glorious moment.

"Stand up and go! Your faith has saved you." As we celebrate Thanksgiving Day, let us be thankful for the gift of faith that grounds our families and binds us together in love.

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne." At the end of the liturgical year, we profess our faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The Father is reconciling all things to himself in the Lord Jesus.

"For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief at night." As we approach the end of the liturgical year, we are reminded that we are to be vigilant and watchful as we await the coming of the Lord.

"Stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour." Today's Gospel focus is on the end times, but that is not meant to strike fear in our hearts. Rather, it is a call to hope in the saving power of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress. They have washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb." We celebrate our unity in Christ with the Communion of Saints, even as we look to them as models of faith and perseverance for these troubled times.

"You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." God is love. Jesus is the incarnation of love. Salvation for us is being transformed into love through the action of the Holy Spirit.

"He said to them, 'Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.'" This is first of three Sundays until the national election in the United States. Today's gospel reminds us that we are pilgrims on earth and our true citizenship is in heaven.

"Go out into the main roads and invite to the feast whomever you find." Jesus presents his Parable of the Wedding Feast. All are welcome!

"I have chosen you from the world to go and bear fruit that will remain." These words from the Gospel Acclamation present to us the teaching of today's readings.

"Jesus said to them, 'Amen, I say to you, tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you.'" Jesus consistently said that the Kingdom of God is extended far beyond those we would normally expect and that the religious are to be people of mercy.