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Today’s Word: 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 22, 2026

Genesis 2:7-9, 3:1-7

Psalm 51: 3-6, 12-13, 17

Romans 5:12-19

Matthew 4:1-11

This is the First Sunday of Lent. The readings today focus on the origins of sin and the ultimate victory over it through Christ. This reflection explores the contrast between the first Adam’s fall and the second Adam’s triumph. Herein we use typology to compare the first man, Adam, with Jesus Christ the savior.

In Genesis today, we see the beginning of the human struggle. The serpent’s temptation isn’t just about fruit; it’s an invitation to be like gods – to be more than just human –  by deciding for ourselves what is good and evil. Adam and Eve weren’t lacking anything in the garden, yet they were convinced by the serpent they were missing out on divinity, something more. So as a consequence, instead of reaching godhood, they became aware of their own nakedness and shame, experiencing immediate alienation from God and each other. The serpent knew what he was doing in tempting Adam and Eve. Thus, came The Fall. Man is separated from God. We are born with Original Sin from Adam and Eve, which is washed away at our Baptism.

I will move on with the Gospel today. The passage from Matthew today shows Jesus, the new Adam, entering the desert to prepare for his ministry and face temptations. Unlike the first humans, Jesus relies entirely on the Word of God. Jesus is tempted three times before the tempter, the devil, flees from him. Jesus spends forty days and nights in the wilderness to fast and pray. The devil tempts Jesus by challenging him between his physical needs and spiritual life. The devil tells Jesus to make stones into bread to feed his hunger. Jesus replies simply by saying men do not live on bread alone, but by the Word of God. When the devil tempts Jesus a second time, it is between humble trust and testing with demands. Jesus tells the devil that it is not good to put God to the test, but hold on and trust God. When the devil tempts Jesus a third time, he does so by offering Jesus worldly power in exchange for worshiping the evil one. Jesus, of course, chooses loyalty to God the Father and serves the Father. Jesus rejects the devil’s temptation for worldly dominion and power because he knows true power lies in serving the Father alone.

The Second Reading today seems to bridge these two stories. St. Paul explains that while one man’s disobedience brought death, one man’s obedience – Jesus Christ – brings justification and life for all. This season is not about our own willpower to better ourselves. It is about acknowledging our pride, sinful nature, and self-reliance and turning toward the grace of Christ to be made righteous.

As we continue this Lenten journey on this First Sunday of Lent and beyond, the Responsorial Psalm today should become our prayer. In it, we are recognizing our sins and asking for mercy and forgiveness. We are invited to enter our own desert to quietly fast and pray in order to identify the areas where we have tried to be our own gods and to return to the joy of God’s salvation.

I will leave you with this verse today: “O God, you are my God, I seek you, my soul thirsts for you; So I will bless you as long as I live; I will lift up my hands and call on your name.” (Psalm 63:1ab, 4 – RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition)

kellym40 faith

Today’s Word: 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 15, 2026

Sirach 15:15-20

Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34

1 Corinthians 2:6-10

Matthew 5:17-37

It appears in the readings, for this Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, challenge us to move beyond a “checklist” faith and toward a radical transformation of the heart.

The First Reading reminds us that God has placed before us choices. It emphasizes the gift of free will, stating that “whichever he chooses will be given to him.” (Sirach 15:17, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). This isn’t just about avoiding major sins, but about actively choosing to trust God’s wisdom over the world’s shortcuts, because “The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, and he knows every deed of man.” (Sirach 15:19, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition).

I will touch on the Psalm for this week. It is like another song of praise asking God to be present and asking God to help understand and retain God’s word and commandments. We must continue to be diligent in our faith and understanding of scripture to fully go out and live that virtuous life, and to joyfully spread the good news of the Gospel.

In the Second Reading, St. Paul speaks of a “hidden wisdom of God” (1 Corinthians 2:7, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition) that the rulers of this world cannot grasp. This wisdom is revealed through the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit “searches  everything, even the depths of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:10, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). It invites us to prepare for the wonders “God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition).

In the Gospel today, continuing from the beatitudes to last week’s passage about being the salt and light of the earth, Jesus declares he has not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfil it. He says this in the first verse of the passage. He appears to be raising the bar. Jesus says it’s not enough to not kill; but Jesus warns that even harboring anger or calling someone a “fool” makes us liable to judgment. (Matthew 5:22, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition).

He then moves the boundary of adultery from physical acts to the intentions of the heart. Jesus says, “But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition).

He then speaks on oaths and holding on to integrity, instead of needing complex vows, like swearing to heaven or things of this earth, to prove truthfulness, Jesus tells us to let our “Yes” mean “Yes” and our “No” mean “No.” (Matthew 5:33-37, The Great Adventure Bible – Revised Standard Version – 2nd Catholic Edition). We need to simply be truthful and honest towards one another without having to go to extremes to prove ourselves to others.

So, as we approach this Lenten season, these readings, I think, serve as a call to live differently. Try to monitor your internal life as closely as your external actions. Notice where a small anger or a subtle deception might be distancing you from God’s hidden wisdom.

I will leave you with this thought for today. “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” (Galatians 6:18, The Great Adventure Bible – RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition)

kellym40 faith

Today’s Word: 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 8, 2026

Isaiah 58:7-10

Psalm 112:4-9

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Matthew 5:13-16

As we move into the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A) of this liturgical year, we have readings today that seem to center on the transformative power of a lived faith. The scriptures today, especially the Gospel, talk about the light within us. That we are a light for all. The scriptures move us from abstract belief to visible action, challenging us to be a presence that can change the world. Or at least be a change for someone, who could go on and change someone else – and that someone changing someone, and so on and so on, which effectively, changes the world.

In the First Reading today, we hear from the Prophet Isaiah, who declares true worship is found in acts of mercy. Only then does our “light break forth like the dawn.” (Isaiah 58:8, The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition). The little acts of mercy and kindness that we all can do, true goodness and virtue is found. Isaiah writes, “to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke?” (Isaiah 58:6, The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition). Those are things we can do to transform people, transform the world. Isaiah continues and says to help feed the hungry, give shelter to the homeless, and clothe the naked. These are all kind acts we can follow. They also reflect a truth from the Beatitudes, which was the reading from Matthew last week.

Before the Second Reading, the Psalm carries this theme of light. In Verse 4, the Psalmist says, “Light rises in the darkness for the upright,” (Isaiah 58:4, The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition). For one who does good and shines for others has “distributed freely, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures for ever,” (Isaiah 58:9, The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition).

St. Paul humbles himself, reminding us that faith does not rest on human wisdom or big words, but on the “power of God”  and the reality of Christ crucified. (1 Corinthians 2:5, The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition). True enlightenment comes from God and of the Holy Spirit. Humble yourself in His Glory and become a light for all to see.

The Gospel today continues from Matthew. As I mentioned, last week Jesus spoke to his disciples about the Beatitudes. These are simple actions you can take to conduct yourself in a blessed way for others, allowing yourself to be virtuous. Jesus tells his disciples directly, “You are the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world.” (Matthew 5:13, 14, The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition). He warns against salt losing its flavor and light being hidden. Jesus tells his disciples to not let their light fade or hide. Always be present so that people are able to see and continue what you have shown, as it is written, “Let your light so shine before men, that hey may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16. The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition). Give of yourselves to be the light to the world.

The following is from Father John Muir, a Catholic priest in the Diocese of Phoenix. He writes, “We know that giving bold witness to Jesus – through our words, values, or public choices – can make us targets for criticism, isolation, or judgment. That’s why Jesus’ words in today’s Gospel are so challenging. … A city on a hill draws attention. It also draws fire. But that’s part of the cost of discipleship. Jesus doesn’t call us to be tribal or boastful. He calls us to stand in the open with humble confidence, so that people might see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.”

So let’s strengthen our confidence. Let’s strive to be that city on a hill, to be that beacon of light for the world to see. It may be easier said than done, but it is something we should all strive for. God Bless!

I will leave you with this verse: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14, The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition).

kellym40 faith

Today’s Word: 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time – February 1, 2026

Zephaniah 2:3; 3:12-13

Psalm 146: 6-10

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Matthew 5:1-12

Greetings! I have had a long hiatus. But I’m pleased to be back. I am hoping to continue this blog a little more regularly again. I apologize for my absence. I am here to talk about and reflect on the readings for this Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Advent and Christmas Season began a new liturgical year in the Catholic Church. So now we are in the Fourth Sunday back in Ordinary Time. If you remember, there are three cycles for the readings in the Catholic Church. We are now in Cycle A, so we will be reading mostly from Matthew’s Gospel. Additionally, today’s Gospel reading is one of my favorites from Matthew. It is where Jesus delivers his sermon about the Beatitudes during his Sermon on the Mount. 

As always, I am using The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition.

The readings today center on the theme of humility and that is what I will focus on today. In the First Reading, the prophet Zephaniah calls the people to “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,” (Zephaniah 2:3, The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition). As I have mentioned before, it is good to praise God. One must do that with humility. Those that do,  God promises to leave a remnant to a “people humble and lowly,” (Zephaniah 3:12, The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition), and will find refuge in His name.

The Psalm today reflects the idea to give glory and praise to God for the wonderful deeds he has done. God gave sight to the blind, food to the hungry, and looked out for the lowly and needy, among other great things. Therefore, as always, praise God.

St. Paul, in the Second Reading, observes that God purposefully chooses the foolish, weak, and lowly of the world to shame the wise and strong, ensuring that no one may boast except in the Lord. He writes, “God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing to things that are, so that no flesh might boast in the presence of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29, The Great Adventure Bible, Revised Standard Version, 2nd Catholic Edition). This reinforces the idea that God is all-powerful, all-good and deserving of our love and praise. No one, or nothing, should take the place of God, so being humble and accepting God’s will is a just thing to do. We are all children of God. Let us be like good sons and daughters to him.

In the Gospel today, Matthew gives us the Beatitudes as delivered by Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount. As I mentioned, this is one of my favorite passages from the bible. As we are active partakers of the faith, or at least we should be, we receive the grace of God through our faith and works. Doing good works keeps us active in the faith and therefore keeps faith alive. By doing so, we produce good fruit from the Holy Spirit. In this manner, I believe, living out and acting on the Beatitudes is a great way to live the faith. In this way, we truly can receive God’s love, not that we don’t already have it, but through the Beatitudes we may feel undeservedly blessed.

Let us keep the faith. Let us grow more in faith by living a life through works that fully express our faith. In the world now, we need Peacemakers. Being a Peacemaker requires standing for human dignity and refusing to dehumanize others. This radical selflessness is what turns our lives into something for the glory of God.

I will leave you with this scripture. Everyone have a blessed day!

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.” (Galatians 6:18 – RSV – 2nd Catholic Edition)