22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026

Posted by Christy .. on 8/24/26

My Dear People,

The contrast between the glorious things spoken to Peter in last Sunday’s Gospel and the sharp rebuke to Peter in this Gospel could hardly be more pronounced. It is quite intentional on the part of the evangelist, who wants us to observe, almost simultaneously, the divine ... Read More »

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026

Posted by Christy .. on 8/24/26

My Dear People,

In the gospel today in Matthew 16, Jesus is investing Peter with the role of royal steward in the kingdom that Jesus is establishing. Isaiah 22 is clearly the background of the promise of the “keys to the kingdom.” Isaiah 22 is the only passage of ... Read More »

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026

Posted by Christy .. on 8/24/26

My Dear People,

Today’s Gospel reading is of a Gentile woman—and not any Gentile woman, but a descendent of the Canaanites, about whom the Old Covenant as summarized in Deuteronomy had nothing good to say at all (Deut. 20:16-18); yet, she finds salvation through Jesus.

Many were troubled by ... Read More »

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026

Posted by Christy .. on 8/09/26

My Dear People,

The body of the Gospel of Matthew is divided into five major units or blocks of narrative, ending with a major discourse (or “homily” if you will of Jesus Chapters 3-7, 19-25). Each section ends with the comment, “When Jesus had finished saying all these things” ... Read More »

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026

Posted by Christy .. on 7/26/26

My Dear People,

Although the text is not explicit, we are probably correct to assume crowds were made up of the common and poor people in the land rather than the wealthy elite. We hear themes from Isaiah 55 explaining: Jesus is providing a free, satisfying meal to ... Read More »

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026

Posted by Christy .. on 7/26/26

My Dear People,

We thank Bishop Emilio for visiting us here at St James and Mission Santiago. He enjoyed the visit. A good number of people came to the 8 AM Mass and the session afterwards in the hall. He was impressed with the presentation, especially on such short ... Read More »

16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026

Posted by Christy .. on 7/13/26

My Dear People,

This parable describes a real scenario from the first century agricultural world. There were Roman laws specifically forbidding the sabotaging of crops by planting darnel.

A man sowed good seed in his field, but an enemy sowed weed all through the wheat. The weed here is ... Read More »

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026

Posted by Christy .. on 7/07/26

My Dear People,

We want to congratulate the newly ordained bishop of our Diocese of Venice. Bishop Emilio Biosca Agüero was ordained on Saturday, July 11th at St John XXIII. He will be visiting our parish, St. James and Mission Santiago, on Friday July 17, from 8:00 AM until ... Read More »

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026

Posted by Christy .. on 6/28/26

My Dear People,

When He says, “All things have been handed over to me by my Father,” Jesus is claiming to be the heir of the universal kingdom of David and the universal kingdom of God. The two are ultimately one and the same. Just as David handed all ... Read More »

13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2026

Posted by Christy .. on 6/23/26

My Dear People,

Our Gospel Readings continue in the same theme as the Second Reading. Those who choose what is not God over God Himself! In other words, whomever continues in sin—cannot be the disciple of Jesus even when what is chosen is something good in itself (like members ... Read More »