July 12, 2022 Reading from the Gospels heard at 8:00 mass this morning at St. Al’s.   Short commentary to follow. Matthew 11:20-24 20 Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. 22 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. 23 And as for you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the nether world. For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.” 24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” For the second time in one week, Matthew has the Lord threatening whole towns with same fate that befell Sodom (and Gomorrah).   (See last week’s blo

  June 24, 2022 Gospel according to Luke, as heard at mass this morning--Nativity of St. John the Baptist--at St. Al’s.   (Short commentary to follow.) Luke 1:57-66, 80 When the time arrived for Elizabeth to have her child           she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard           that the Lord had shown his great mercy toward her,           and they rejoiced with her. When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child,           they were going to call him Zechariah after his father,           but his mother said in reply,           “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her,           “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” So they made signs, asking his father what he wished him to be called. He asked for a tablet and wrote, “John is his name,”           and all were amazed. Immediately his mouth was opened, his tongue freed,           and he spoke blessing God. Then fear came upon all their neighbors,       

July 7, 2022 Gospel according to Matthew, heard this morning at 8:00 mass, St. Al’s. Short commentary to follow. Matthew 10:7-15, (Speaking to his apostles, just previously named) 7 And as you go, proclaim that the kingdom of Heaven is close at hand. 8 Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those suffering from virulent skin-diseases, drive out devils. You received without charge, give without charge. 9 Provide yourselves with no gold or silver, not even with coppers for your purses, 10 with no haversack for the journey or spare tunic or footwear or a staff, for the labourer deserves his keep. 11 'Whatever town or village you go into, seek out someone worthy and stay with him until you leave. 12 As you enter his house, salute it, 13 and if the house deserves it, may your peace come upon it; if it does not, may your peace come back to you. 14 And if anyone does not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, as you walk out of the house or town shake the dust from your feet .