The Modern Psalmist

This weekend we are celebrating the Fourth and final Sunday of Advent. O come, Emmanuel. The entrance antiphon is the first indicator that the Christ child is almost here, calling for "The Just One" to come down from the heavens. Taken from Isaiah chapter 45, verse 8, we read: Drop down dew from above, you heavens, and let the clouds rain down the Just One; let the earth be opened and br...

This weekend we are celebrating the Third Sunday of Advent, year B. O come, Emmanuel. The entrance antiphon sets the tone of apprehensive waiting as we rejoice in the coming of the Lord. Taken from Philippians chapter 4, verses 4 and 5, we read: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near. (Philippians 4:4, 5) Luke 1 My soul rejoices in my God. Gospel Acclamation: Th...

This weekend we are celebrating the Second Sunday of Advent. O come, Emmanuel. As is true of the Advent season in general, the readings today share the message of the coming of the Messiah. Beginning with Isaiah's prophesies in chapter 30, verses 19 and 30, the Entrance antiphon proclaims: O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his...

This weekend we are celebrating the beginning of a new liturgical year, cycle B, with the First Sunday of Advent. O come, Emmanuel. Entrance Antiphon: To you, I lift up my soul, O my God. In you, I have trusted; let me not be put to shame. Nor let my enemies exult over me; and let none who hope in you be put to shame. (Psalm 25:1-3) Psalm 80 Lord make us turn to you; let us see your face and we sh...

Our readings today remind us to recognize and honor God's authority and wisdom while facing life's challenges, and to rely on him to deliver us from harm or evil. As always, we begin with the Entrance Antiphon for today, which is taken from Psalm chapter 17, verses 6 & 8. This same reliance on God to guard and protect us, expressed here in the Entrance Antiphon, will be demonstrated la...

In today's readings, from the Entrance Antiphon to the Communion Antiphon, there’s a consistent acknowledgment of God’s mercy demonstrated in His willingness to forgive iniquities, provide for all peoples, and ensure that those who seek Him lack no blessing. Entrance Antiphon: If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, Lord, who could stand? But with you is found forgiveness, O God of Israel. (Ps...

This is one of the only ordinary time feast days in the entire liturgical calendar where three of the four readings tell the exact same prophesy. This is the case with the First reading, Responsorial Psalm, and the Gospel reading which all tell the story (or prophesy, really) of the vineyard of the Lord. Generally, that kind of cohesion is reserved for the seasons of Advent, Lent, and Easter. But...

The continuous theme of God's unending mercy is still prevalent in the readings for today. Beginning with our Entrance Antiphon from Daniel chapter 3, we enter into worship with a penitent heart as we acknowledge our faults and plead for God's bountiful mercy. Entrance Antiphon: All that you have done to us, O Lord, you have done with true judgment, for we have sinned against you and not o...

Today's readings focus on the merciful and generous nature of God. Whether it's the enduring promise of being there for His people, the boundless forgiveness that he always shows us, or the unexpected generosity that He demonstrates, we are reminded of the comforting embrace of God's mercy. Entrance Antiphon: I am the salvation of the people, says the Lord. Should they cry to me in any...

Today we explore not only God's infinite mercy, but especially God's requirement that we be merciful also in our relationships with others. The readings today remind us how very compassionate and merciful the Lord expects us to be. Entrance Antiphon: Give peace, O Lord, to those who wait for you, that your prophets be found true. Hear the prayers of your servant, and of your people Israel....

In today's readings we are challenged to demonstrate *true* examples of love. Entrance Antiphon: You are just, O Lord, and your judgment is right; treat your servant in accord with your merciful love. (Psalm 119:137, 124) Psalm 95 If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. I am the light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the ligh...

This weekend we celebrate the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, year A. The theme prevalent in our readings serves to illustrate our struggle in living a Christian life. The call for anyone who wishes to follow Jesus to "deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me," as articulated in today's Gospel, serves as a clear depiction of the challenges and complexities inherent in Christian d...

This weekend we celebrate the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, where Jesus establishes Peter as the first leader of his church by giving him the "keys to the kingdom of heaven". The readings today collectively underscore God's active role in the world, His ultimate sovereignty, and the importance of recognizing and praising Him for His benevolence. Entrance Antiphon: Turn your e...

This weekend we celebrate the 20th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year A. After prayerfully reviewing the scriptures for this Sunday, I fell that three main points are emphasized: 1. God is the God of ALL peoples 2. God hears the cry of his faithful ones when they call 3. God is infinitely merciful in answering our prayers Entrance Antiphon: "Turn your eyes, O God, our shield; and look on the face...

This weekend we celebrate the 19th Sunday of Ordinary Time, year A. The gospel reading for today is the famous story of Jesus walking on water. I always find this story fascinating, not only because Jesus walked on water but also because he invited Peter to walk out to him on the water. Psalm 85 Lord, let us see your kindness, and grant us your salvation. Communion Antiphon O Jerusalem, glorify th...

This weekend we celebrate the Transfiguration of the Lord. The transfiguration refers to the time when Jesus took Peter, James, and John up a high mountain and he was transfigured before them. All of the readings today begin to give us a picture of Jesus in his magnificence. Psalm 97 "The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth." Featured Song: Psalm 97: The Lord Is King [Transfig...

We are approaching the end of the Lenten season this weekend with Palm Sunday and the passion of our Lord. This mass is very unique in that we begin with a celebration, but we end reflecting on the sorrowful passion that Jesus suffered in the crucifixion. The entrance antiphon, taken from Matthew chapter 21 verse 9, celebrates the Lord's entrance into Jerusalem when he rode in on a donkey and...

Today we are celebrating the 5th Sunday of Lent year A, and are only a couple weeks away from the feast of the Resurrection. The readings and antiphons point us to God's perfect justice, mercy, and promise of the resurrection. Entrance Antiphon Give me justice, O God, and plead my cause against a nation that is faithless. From the deceitful and cunning rescue me, for you, O God, are my strengt...

Today's readings for the 4th Sunday of Lent, Year A, highlight some key steps of the Lord's story of salvation for his people. We journey from Isaish's prophesy of the Lord's final judgement, through King David's anointing, continue to his famous psalm 23 "the Lord is my Shepherd", and ultimately arrive at Jesus showing his disciples that He is the light of the world....

In today's readings for the 3rd Sunday of Lent, year A, we are encouraged to keep our eyes on the Lord and our hearts open to heed his voice, recognizing that our souls thirst for the Living God.  Entrance Antiphon My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues my feet from the snare. Turn to me and have mercy on me, for I am alone and poor. (Psalm 25:15-16) Psalm 33 "If today you hear his vo...

Now we have reached the 2nd Sunday of Lent, so we are 10 days into our 40 day Lenten journey.  The scriptures for today encourage us to stay the course and keep our focus on the Lord.  We are reminded to seek God's face, place our trust in the Lord, and listen to His word. In our entrance antiphon from Psalm 27 verses 8 & 9, we echo our own heart's deepest desire as we proclaim: Entr...

This weekend we celebrate the 1st Sunday of Lent, Year A.  We're only a few days into our Lenten journey that started this past Ash Wednesday.  Sometimes the beginning of any journey toward self-improvement can have a rough or rocky start.  But I want to encourage you to keep going.  We should never focus on our mistakes, but instead on the Lord, who promises to always be there...

Today we begin our lenten season with Ash Wednesday, and the first episode of Season 6 of this podcast.  This is also the first season of the podcast that is presented in a video format.   During these 40 days of Lent, which includes prescribed fasting, prayer, and repentance, we are truly given an opportunity to turn our hearts more fully to the Lord.   My goal is to provide a new...

This weekend we are celebrating the 3rd Sunday of Advent, year A.  Our readings center around the prophesies of the coming of the Messiah and in John the Baptist preparing the way of the Lord. The entrance antiphon sets the tone of apprehensive waiting as we rejoice in the coming of the Lord.  Taken from Philippians chapter 4, verses 4 and 5, we read: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I...

This weekend we are celebrating the 2nd Sunday of Advent, year A.   As is true of the Advent season in general, the readings today share the message of the coming of the Messiah.  Beginning with Isaiah's prophesies in chapter 30, verses 19 and 30, the Entrance antiphon proclaims: "O people of Sion, behold, the Lord will come to save the nations, and the Lord will make the glory of his vo...