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Luke’s “Sermon on the Plain” portrays Jesus’ concern for the poor and lowly who relied mostly on God’s mercy because they did not have many possessions. Jesus spoke to the real economic hardships of his day: poverty, hunger, suffering and persecution. Jesus’ disciples were “blessed” or “favored” because they found their fulfillment in God, and not in the things the world had to offer.

As a youngster growing up at the Jersey Shore, I used to go crabbing and fishing with my grandfather. I was a typical kid, all excited for about an hour and then wanting to go home because the fish weren’t biting.

St. Paul tells us emphatically that love never fails! This Scripture sounds much different when we read outside the context of a wedding. It makes it obvious that of all the many things we do, loving is paramount.

n our Second Reading today from the Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians, we learn how many parts make up one body. This is certainly applied to our Church as many components make up The Body of Christ.

Do we speak up when we need to? The prophet Isaiah refuses to be silent. “It will not be possible for me to shut up. I will talk and not stop talking, proclaim and not stop proclaiming, preach and not stop preaching.

The theme running through our readings today consist of peace and justice. Our Gospel tells the story of the Baptism of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Just as John speaks of the mighty one, God’s beloved Son who brings us salvation, God, through His Son blesses us with the promise of the Old Testament psalm reading - peace.

Today we celebrate The Epiphany of The Lord. The Wise Men set out to pay homage to the new born king. Their journey took them outside their country and their comfort zone. The Wise Men risked the consequences of destroying Herod, who was known to behave as a madman when provoked and returned to their country by another way. The Wise Men were committed to the journey — wherever the star might lead.

By celebrating the Sunday following Christmas as The Feast of The Holy Family, The Church encourages us to look to the Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph for inspiration, example and encouragement.

In a couple of days, a Savior will be born for us. Advent is a time of expectations, of waiting, of anticipation of fulfillment. Our readings today all relate to that anticipation — and all refer to one way or another in which the Lord fulfills those expectations not in our own worldly understanding, but through His will and wonder. Often, we try to anticipate too much.

This day has been traditionally called Gaudete Sunday, or Rejoice Sunday, marked by the contrasting rose candle on the Advent wreath and vestments. The fulfillment of Christmas is near and today’s readings revel in it with phrases like these: Shout for joy, Sing joyfully, Rejoice in the Lord always!

The time of year is upon us where the days become shorter and colder as the warmth of summer becomes a faded memory. Advent arrives just in time! We are invited to embrace the dark and quiet, steadfast in the knowledge that the light will surely come.

We begin the new Liturgical Year in the Church on this First Sunday of Advent. Here we are, four Sundays before Christmas, and we enter into a season packed with prayer and reconciliation services, concerts, feasts, rehearsals and Masses.

A big thing in life is where you are from. We say “your accent betrays you.” Sometimes we judge totally on where people are from. Pilate was the same with Jesus. With all he knew of him and heard, the miracles and the speeches — where are you from? Are you a king really? What sort is your kingdom?

Even in our darkest hour, the Lord does not abandon us. He watches over us night and day. In today’s reading, Jesus speaks of being our guard for we do not know the day or the hour when we will be called to Him. This could certainly cause some degree of anxiety. Like any anxious reader disciple, it’s often not enough to know what and where, but also when. At times, we all feel like the child in the back of the car, repeatedly demanding to know Are we there yet?

Our Gospel from Mark deals with wealth issues. One such issue regards spiritual wealth in those who think that they are more important than everyone else. In verses 38-40, Jesus specifically denounces the scribes. In the Gospel writer’s estimation they are self-important, arrogant, and self aggrandizing.

There is no greater love than to give up one’s life for others. Jesus proved what He meant by His own life and death. He insists that love of God and love of people are one and inseparable.

Some observe that we live in a time of chaos. Chaos causes insecurity. When humans create chaos, they find there is power in producing fear.

n today’s Gospel, James and John make their “it’s all about me” request to Jesus for the prime place of honor in heaven. When the other apostles were indignant, Jesus invites them to a deeper path of radical service. As members of the community of believers, how do we respond to those who ask for a privileged role?

The Gospel story begins with a wealthy man running eagerly to Jesus and kneeling before Him in humility and submission. However, when Jesus asked the wealthy man to give up that which stood between him and full discipleship, the man was unable to do so.

The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. Our Holy Father has asked that we all encourage our Clergy and Faithful to pray the Rosary to protect The Church from the devil’s attacks in these troubled times of crisis.