Skip to main content
Category

Path To Sunday

Natalie Conseur
In Path To Sunday

The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

John 2:13-22

"Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up."

Readings for Sunday: Ezekiel, 1 Corinthians, John

Reflection:

This Sunday is unusual in the sense that, what would have been the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time, is superseded by the Solemnity of the Dedication of St. John Lateran. That church (building) is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Rome; St. Peter’s Basilica is not the cathedral. Why is the celebration of the dedication of St. John’s so important that we not only celebrate it in the Archdiocese of Chicago, but also that it supersedes a Sunday of Ordinary Time? That is because it represents far more than merely being the cathedral of Rome.

The land itself was originally owned by the Laterani family and eventually given by Emperor Constantine to Pope Melchiade to build a Domus Ecclesia, a “house of the Church.” It was the first Christian Basilica built in Rome, the first purposely built public worship space, even before St. Peter’s, and was dedicated in 324AD.

The Pope, also known as the Bishop of Rome, lived there for about 1000 years before making his permanent residence at the Vatican, which itself contains St. Peter’s Basilica.

A house for the Church, a house of God, is important to our worship. In the Gospel today, Jesus cleanses the temple in Jerusalem of its money changers and those selling sheep and oxen. It states that, “His disciples recalled the words of Scripture, Zeal for your house will consume me.” St. John represents the fact that the universal Church worships the Lord, and that we are zealous for his house.

Reflection Questions

  • Am I zealous for the worship of God and for his house?
  • While we can build church buildings anywhere, what does a church building represent to me?
  • What do I contribute to the maintenance of the house of God?
Natalie Conseur
In Path To Sunday

All Souls’ Day

Thus he made atonement for the dead that they might be freed from this sin.

Readings: 2 Maccabees, Romans, Matthew

Sometimes people ask, regarding Purgatory: “where is that in the bible?” The first reading that will be used at Sunday Mass at St. James – since there are different options for All Souls Day – is the biblical source, 2 Macc 12:43-46. (See also 1 Cor 3:15.) Keep in mind, unlike Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, Protestant Bibles do not have 1st or 2nd Maccabees. In this reading, we hear about how the leader of Israel in the second century BC, Judas, had a sacrifice offered at the temple in Jerusalem for the expiation of sin for a group of dead soldiers from the army of Israel. If we are honest, we recognize that while we follow Jesus, we are still impatient, at times dishonest, sometimes lustful and so on. In short, we are not perfect. We hope to be in heaven one day with the Lord Jesus and everyone else we love in our families, among our friends, and in our community. But, if Jesus brings imperfect people into heaven, then heaven will not be a place of perfect love, peace and joy.

We will still be gossiping, bickering and causing a raucous. The solution: for God to perfect those bound for heaven in the love of Jesus Christ.Those in purgatory are being perfectly molded to the image of Christ, to love as he loves. Yet, this process takes time; not because God lacks power, but because people have free will and are stubborn. People must freely choose to love, or else it is not love. God is patient because he gave us free will in the first place and will not override it, lest he effectively destroy the very creatures he is saving. The existence of Purgatory is part of the Good News of Jesus Christ: God is so merciful and patient, that those people who are not ready for heaven, and not bound for hell, when they die, are given his grace for transformation even after death, in order that they may live forever in perfect love.

Reflection

  • In what ways am I still not ready for heaven, in what areas of my life do I still lack holiness and virtue, in what ways to a fail to love as Christ loves?
  • Am I willing to embrace the transformative power of God’s grace here on earth, even if it is painful to let go of my vices and self-centeredness?
  • Do I pray for loved ones who may be in Purgatory? Have I encouraged family members and friends to pray for me when I die one day?
admin
In Path To Sunday

Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Sirach, 2 Timothy, Luke

[W]hoever exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

If you could take a completely clean sheet of paper and describe the kind of person you truly want to be, what would you write? There is no cost to it—ink is cheap and imagination is free. You could write down your ideal physical self: 6 feet tall, 200 pounds, 4% body fat, strong and cut like a young champion bodybuilder. You might not be that today, but it is easy enough to picture. We can all imagine the ideal version of ourselves: smart, educated, confident, charismatic, disciplined.

But what about our spiritual ideal? There it suddenly becomes harder. Most of us assume we are “doing okay.” We look in the mirror every morning, but we rarely look into the soul. The problem is that we let ourselves off the hook far too easily. The phrase people often use is, “Well… I’m basically a good person.” But “basically” usually means, “I haven’t killed anyone or robbed a bank.” That is a low bar. When we look honestly, we see the “small” sins: we lie, we gossip, we judge others, we skip Sunday mass while claiming to love God. It is like saying “I love my spouse, I just never want to spend time with him/her.” We assume the worst about other people’s motives, while giving ourselves the benefit of every excuse.

Jesus addressed this mindset in the Gospel: those convinced of their own righteousness who despised others. The Pharisee congratulated himself; the tax collector simply bowed his head and said, “O God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” Only one went home justified.
The spiritual ideal begins not with self-congratulation, but humility: not “I am basically good,” but “Lord, I am a sinner in need of mercy.” Only there does transformation begin—when we let God tell us who he wants us to be; after all, he is our creator and wants us to be truly holy, truly amazing.

Reflection

  • If you were to take a blank sheet of paper today and write down the kind of person you want to become spiritually—not just physically or socially—what qualities would you list, and why aren’t they yet visible in your life?
  • When you say, “I’m basically a good person,” what are you really relying on for that measure—your own comparison with others, or an honest examination before God?
  • Do you pray more like the Pharisee (listing what makes you righteous) or like the tax collector (humbly acknowledging your need for mercy), and what would need to change for your prayer to reflect true humility?
admin
In Path To Sunday

Twenty-Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Readings: Exodus, 2 Timothy, Luke

Pray always without becoming weary.

If an alien were to visit our planet, it might quickly conclude that humanity’s most popular religion revolves around a mysterious black box. Every home has at least one— if not several shrines to it. Worshipers gather nightly for hours before it, eyes fixed in trance-like devotion. This “god” tells them what to think, what to buy, even for whom to vote. In recent years, this god went on a diet and is much, much thinner.
We spend hours before our screens, whether it be TVs or tablets, all the while neglecting the true God, the One who actually hears and loves us. In the Gospel this Sunday, Jesus tells us to “pray always without becoming weary.” He asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” Real faith isn’t found in front of a glowing screen; it’s cultivated in prayer—daily, personal conversation with God.
Prayer, at its heart, is simply talking with God. Sometimes it’s vocal—words spoken aloud or in silence within our hearts. We offer praise, glorifying God for His goodness.

We make acts of contrition, seeking forgiveness for our sins. We lift up petitions, asking for what we or others truly need. And we give thanks, expressing gratitude for His countless blessings.
But a healthy relationship requires listening, too. Prayer isn’t a monologue—it’s a dialogue. Through meditation, we quiet our hearts so we can hear God’s gentle whisper. Just as lovers lean close to share a word of affection, God invites us to draw near and listen.

The Church offers powerful ways to do this—like the rosary or lectio divina – they are time-tested methods that help us focus our minds and hearts on God.
God doesn’t always answer our prayers the way we expect, but He always responds—with love that draws us toward perfect union with Him.
So tonight, before bowing down before the black box, turn it off. Spend that time with the living God. Speak to Him, listen to Him, and let faith be found alive in your heart.

Reflection

  • What “black boxes” in my own life might be competing with my time and attention for God?
  • Which form of vocal prayer—praise, contrition, petition, or thanksgiving—do I practice most often, and which one might I need to grow in?
  • When was the last time I truly listened for God’s voice in silence, in meditation?
admin
In Path To Sunday

28th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Luke 17:19

Your faith has saved you.

Readings for Sunday: 2 Kings, 2 Timothy, Luke

Reflection:

The Gospel story is “worse” than you think. Yes, of the ten lepers who were miraculously cured by Jesus, only the Samaritan returned to thank God. But Samaritans were not merely foreigners. In that time period and beyond, the Jewish people distinguished between Jews and non-Jews, or gentiles. Samaritans, while considered gentiles, were especially rejected.

The nation of Israel wound up being divided into two kingdoms during the reign of King Solomon’s son, Rehoboam: a northern kingdom, composed of ten tribes, and a southern kingdom, comprised of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. In the eighth century BC, the Assyrian Empire invaded the northern kingdom, and exiled the leadership, educated, and mercantile classes to deep within the empire. Those ten tribes never returned to the northern kingdom and are considered lost. The Jews that remained were the poor and soon intermarried with the gentiles that the Assyrians moved from elsewhere in the empire to the northern kingdom, with its capital city of Samaria. Those gentiles were pagans, worshipping many gods.

The result was the nation of Samaria, the people being of mixed genetic lines with a syncretistic religion, mixing elements of Judaism and paganism. Jews in the southern kingdom, eventually called Judea, and the Jews who eventually resettled the far north of the northern kingdom, called Galilee, viewed the Samaritans very negatively. Samaritans were not considered to truly be Jewish and occupied land that should be occupied by Jews. They claimed the God of Abraham to be their god, along with worshipping other gods.

When only the Samaritan came back to thank God, it was shocking. Yet Jesus tells him something even more shocking: “your faith has saved you.” Beyond the miraculous physical cure that Jesus affected, he offers the man salvation in the kingdom. Even a Samaritan could be saved, as he came to faith in Jesus. God’s offer is open to everyone; it is up to each individual to accept or reject it.

Reflection Questions

  • Am I grateful to God for all he has done for me, or do I take things for granted? Am I grateful for the offer of salvation that he gives me in Jesus Christ?
  • How much time do I spend thanking God each day?
  • Do I presume my own salvation, and at times do I think there are people that are beyond salvation?
admin
In Path To Sunday

27th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Habakkuk 1

The just one, because of his faith, shall live.

Readings for Sunday: Habakkuk, 2 Timothy, Luke

Reflection:

Today, on this Respect Life Sunday, we pause to remember that the right to life is the foundation of all human dignity. If we fail to protect innocent life at its most vulnerable stage—at conception—then every other right becomes fragile. Once a society decides that life is valuable only when it is wanted, then life at any stage can be discarded. That is why we now see euthanasia and other grave attacks against human life becoming more acceptable.
The numbers are staggering. Since 1973, there have been over 65 million abortions in our country and more than a billion worldwide. In fact, estimates vary from as little as one billion to as many as three billion worldwide; many sources indicate that 2.5 billion is a fair estimate. These numbers far exceed the casualties of all the wars of the last century. As the prophet Habakkuk cried, “Violence! Why do you let me see ruin?” We too cry out at the immorality before us.

We love our nation, but we cannot close our eyes to these evils. Sin always carries consequences. A society that destroys its future in the womb cannot flourish. As Mother Teresa once said, “If a mother can kill her own child, what is left but for us to kill one another?”
What, then, is our response? Not silence. It is tempting to say, “I am personally against abortion, but I will not tell others what to do.” Yet abortion is the taking of human life. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to bear witness—even when it costs us. We must foster a culture of life beginning in our families, supporting women in crisis pregnancies, and offering love both to mother and child. We must also live chastity, strengthening true love that protects and cherishes life. Above all, we act in faith. Even faith the size of a mustard seed can move mountains, for it is God who works through us.

Reflection Questions

  • On this Respect Life Sunday, ask yourself: how will I respond as a disciple of Jesus?
admin
In Path To Sunday

26th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Luke 16:25

My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad...

Readings for Sunday: Amos, 1 Timothy, Luke

Reflection:

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus provides insight into what it means to be “a good person.” The rich man lived in luxury, dressed in purple garments dyed from costly sea snails, a sign of immense wealth. Lazarus, by contrast, was homeless, sick, and so neglected that dogs licked his sores. When both died, Lazarus was carried to Abraham’s bosom, while the rich man found himself in torment.

What is striking is that the rich man had not murdered, stolen, or committed obvious crimes. By many measures, he might have been considered a “good” man. Yet he failed to recognize Lazarus as a fellow human being deserving love and respect. Even in torment, he treated Lazarus as an object to serve his needs. He asks Abraham to send him with water or to warn his brothers. His downfall was a hardened heart, ignoring the suffering at his doorstep and refusing to heed God’s word.

 

This lesson resonates today when we consider churchgoing and charity. A 2017 study from Indiana University revealed a staggering difference in giving: 62% of religious households donated to charity, averaging $1,590 annually, compared to 46% of non-religious households, averaging only $695. While some religious giving supports church institutions, much of it directly aids the poor through mission appeals, Catholic Charities, disaster relief, and other works of mercy. Churches also cultivate social capital, fostering generosity and service among their members.

Faith is not merely about avoiding sin but about continual conversion. More and more, we are called to love God and neighbor in concrete ways. As Paul urged Timothy, we must pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness, striving to “lay hold of eternal life.” Each day, discipleship calls us to see Christ in others, especially the poor, and to build treasure in heaven through generosity and compassion.

Reflection Questions

  • In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man’s sin was not active cruelty but indifference. In what ways might we overlook or ignore the suffering of those around us today?
  • Today’s scriptures remind us that faith involves continual conversion, not just avoiding sin. What practices can help you keep your heart open to God and to the needs of others?
admin
In Path To Sunday

25th Sunday In Ordinary Time

Luke 16

No servant can serve two masters.

Readings for Sunday: Amos, 1 Timothy, Luke

Reflection:

Jesus’ teaching that “no servant can serve two masters” remains as relevant today as it was two thousand years ago. Though few people would admit to serving “mammon,” or money, many of our daily decisions are quietly driven by it—what we buy, how we spend, and what we hope to gain. Rarely do we pause to ask whether our choices are guided by love of God, by justice, or by care for the poor. This struggle is not new; it has always been part of human life.

The root of the problem often begins with the word “mine.” We claim ownership of things, but in truth nothing ultimately belongs to us. God, who created and sustains all things, is the true owner. Even our very bodies are not our own, as St. Paul reminds us: “You are not your own… you were bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body” (1 Cor 6:19-20). C.S. Lewis makes the same point in The Screwtape Letters, where he notes that humans cannot truly say “mine” about anything. In the end, all will belong either to God or to the Enemy.

The antidote to this illusion of ownership is the idea of stewardship. In the ancient world, a steward (oikonomos: oikos meaning “house” and nomos meaning “law”) was entrusted with managing an entire household, though he owned none of it himself. His task was to ensure that bills were paid, meals were served, and children were taught—all for the well-being of the family. In the same way, God entrusts us with lives, talents, and opportunities. These are gifts meant not only for our benefit, but for God’s glory and the good of others.

Jesus’ parable of the dishonest steward highlights the urgency of stewardship. Though the steward acted unjustly, his master commended him for his cleverness. Jesus’ point is that if the “children of this world” are so shrewd with worldly goods, how much more wisely should the “children of light” use what God has entrusted to them. Earthly wealth is fleeting, but true wealth is eternal life with Christ.

Therefore, we must stop saying “mine” in the deepest sense. Everything is God’s. Our task is to be faithful stewards, always asking: “Lord, what do you want me to do with what you have given me?”

Reflection Questions

  • In what ways do I let money or possessions influence my decisions more than love of God, justice, or service to others?
  • How does remembering that everything ultimately belongs to God change the way I view ownership and responsibility?
  • What would it look like for me to live as a faithful steward, using what God has entrusted to me not only for my good but also for His glory and the good of others?
Natalie Conseur
In Path To Sunday

The Exaltation of the Holy Cross

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son...

Readings for Sunday: Numbers, Philippians, John

Reflection:

How can you have victory through defeat? It’s crazy, right? The two things (victory and defeat) are contradictory. When it comes to Christ, however, it is (paradoxically) true. Perhaps we should say, rather, that Christ has victory in what seems like defeat.

This is good news for us. If you struggle or suffer, then today’s celebration of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross should give you hope. As St. Paul tells us in the second reading, Christ suffered death on the cross, but through it came to victory. He can do the same for us. What we need to do is understand how it works.

When humanity sinned, it rejected a loving relationship and friendship with God. (That is the point of the story of Adam and Eve). Since it is love that brings life, sin brings death. The result of original sin was not just death of the body, but also death of the soul. Hell is about living in such a way that you have no tangible sense of God’s presence: no relationship with God.

To save us, therefore, God not only had to forgive our sins, but also convince us to freely choose to love him again. So how was he going to do that? By becoming human and dying on the Cross. To convince us to love him, God showed us the greatest sign of love possible: giving his own life for us.

It was the bridegroom showing his beloved that he loves her to death, and would give anything for her. Or as it is written in today’s gospel “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life” (John 3:16-17).

At the same time, Christ himself goes into death in order to defeat death. He is like the knight who enters the belly of the dragon and then kills the beast from the inside to then emerge with victory. With Jesus, love wins over sin precisely by giving its life in death. If sin is the opposite of love, then Christ wins by loving unto death.

If you understand that, then you can understand how Jesus can bring victory to our suffering and our struggles. Sometimes Jesus does work the physical miracles by curing an illness, or getting a person a better job. However, he often does not. The real miracle is how he changes our hearts. He cannot force our free will. When we encounter the cross in our lives, whether that is sickness or financial distress, if we embrace it in Jesus, then it can transform our hearts.

Do we love Jesus? Yes… at least a little. Do we love Jesus as he loves us? No. When we suffer, we get angry with God. When we pray for cures and do not get them, we start praying less or stop praying all together. We spend more time watching TV than we pray. The list goes on. We do not love Jesus to the point that we love him for his own sake. Rather, we tend to love him because he makes lives better. We do not love him to the point that we will suffer for him without asking him for something in return.

For this reason, if we embrace the cross in our lives, then Jesus can use it to transform our hearts to love him as he loves us. To the world, it seems as though Jesus is powerless to end our suffering. But God sees it as a chance to change our motives, to choose to love him for no other reason than for who he is. It is in this way that the suffering of the cross cleanses us of all our sinful tendencies and makes us ready for heaven. That is the victory. It is true that, in the end, we will be cured of all sickness. We will be cured of death through the Resurrection. In heaven no one suffers. But more importantly, that is because everyone is perfectly united to God in love. And the love of God gives life everlasting.

Reflection Questions

  • How does the paradox of “victory through defeat” challenge the way you normally view suffering, setbacks, or struggles in your own life?

  • In what ways can embracing the “crosses” in your life help deepen your love for God beyond simply asking Him for blessings?

  • What areas of your heart or life might God be inviting you to let Him transform through suffering?

Natalie Conseur
In Path To Sunday

23rd Sunday In Ordinary Time

Luke 14:25

Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Readings for Sunday: Wisdom, Philemon, Luke

Reflection:

Discipleship is more than simply following Jesus; it is walking in His footsteps and imitating Christ in every aspect of life. At baptism, we became sons and daughters of God, called to pattern our lives on His Son. A true disciple is not one who follows Jesus occasionally or merely to receive blessings, but one whose entire identity is rooted in being a child of God and a follower of Christ.

The Gospels show that large crowds often followed Jesus, many drawn by His reputation as a miracle worker. Yet Jesus made clear that not all who followed Him were true disciples. He began to set conditions: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” In other words, discipleship requires total commitment, putting Christ above everything else.

A disciple is someone under discipline, embracing the challenges of faith each day. Like an Olympic athlete who sacrifices daily for a crown that perishes, disciples accept the cost of following Christ for a reward that endures forever.

Jesus teaches three conditions: to put Him above all relationships, to carry our cross, and to renounce possessions. These do not mean literal hatred or reckless poverty, but rather a reordering of life so that Christ always comes first.

Discipleship is demanding because it requires transformation. We must let go of sin, embrace suffering, and live with spiritual poverty, seeing all that we have as belonging to God. Yet the reward is beyond imagination—eternal life in heaven, where perfect love and peace reign. The price is heavy, but discipleship prepares us for that profound encounter with God’s infinite love, the ultimate goal of our journey.

Reflection Questions

  • In what areas of my life do I struggle to put Christ first, and how can I begin to reorder my priorities as a true disciple?
  • What “crosses” or challenges in my life might God be asking me to embrace as part of my transformation in discipleship?
  • How can I practice spiritual poverty—using my possessions as tools for God’s will—rather than allowing them to control my life?
Join us for our Mass livestream Watch Online