Sunday Sermon, October 25 -- The Different Sects of the Jews in the First Century

 (A timely sermon from three years ago on immigration, from the first reading of today's Mass can be found [here]!)

In the Gospel readings from last Sunday, this Sunday and  next Sunday, we hear of various groups from among the Jewish people of the First Century:  Pharisees, Sadducees, Herodians, Scribes, Rabbis and Scholars of the Law. We consider who and what each of these are, as well as Zealots and Essenes.

Know what each of these groups believed and what goals they had will help a great deal in understanding the preaching of our Lord on Tuesday of Holy Week, especially the controversies in the preaching in the Temple (Matthew 21-23).

Listen online [here]!

Sunday Sermon, October 18 -- Why Churches Are Dedicated to Saints

 As we celebrate the patronal feast of our parish church dedicated to St Luke, we consider the history and significance of naming  Catholic Churches after saints. This also allows us to reflect on the presence of relics in altars and the celebration of saint feast days.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, October 13 -- Wisdom Literature, Session 9 -- Sirach, part 3

 In this final class, we finish our discussion of the book of Sirach. We answer some of the questions and points of confusion brought up in previous classes, and then discuss the final ten chapters of the book.

Handout is below.

Sunday Sermon, October 11 -- Many Are Called But Few Are Chosen

 We consider the parable of the guests and the royal wedding feast from Matthew 22. Seeing this in the immediate historical context (Tuesday of Holy Week and in the freshly cleansed Temple), we also consider the parable compared to the parallel in Luke 14.

We look to the call to conversion, and the continuing growth that is required.

Listen online [here]!

Adult Faith Formation, October 6 -- Wisdom Literature, Session 8 -- Sirach, Part 2

 In this eighth class, we discuss the first portion of the book of Sirach, chapters 1 through 42. We look both at the proverb sayings regarding wisdom, and at the six hymns to Wisdom in these chapters. Finally, we consider how the Church uses this part of Sirach in the traditional Mass.

Handout below!