Scripture readings for today: Jeremiah 7:23-28; Psalm 95; Luke 11:14-23 Someone commented to me that they thought it strange to see Polish people walking out of church backward. If the Blessed Sacrament is exposed, some Polish people walk backward when leaving church.

Scripture readings for today: Deuteronomy 3:25, 34-43; Psalm 25; Matthew 18:21-35 How many times must I forgive another? Peter’s question is one that we all ask at one time or another. In the Gospel today Peter wants to know how many times he should forgive a brother who has sinned against him.

Scripture readings for today: 2 Kings 5:1-15; Psalm 42; Luke 4:24-30 In the first reading at Mass today we are presented with Naaman, a Syrian general—a rich, powerful, and haughty foreigner—looking for a miracle from a people he probably despised.

Scripture readings for today: Exodus 17:3-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-2, 5-8; John 4:5-42 God is very patient and understanding about listening to our complaints. That’s what happened with the Israelites in the wilderness of Sinai, who missed the fleshpots of Egypt.

Scripture readings for today: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Psalm 103; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 In today’s Gospel the Pharisees and Scribes criticize Jesus not for being mean and harsh with sinners but rather for being too good.

Scripture readings for today: Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13, 17-28; Psalm 105; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 The moving story of Joseph in the first reading today sets the stage for the person of Jesus in the Gospel.

Scripture readings for today: Jeremiah 17:5-10; Psalm 1; Luke 16:19-31 Our Gospel today tells of a rich man who needed to have his eyes examined. This rich man went through life unable to recognize a brother in need who was right at his door.

Scripture readings for today: Jeremiah 18:18-20; Psalm 31; Matthew 20:17-28 Did you ever have something important or exciting to tell someone—that you’re getting a new job, expecting a baby, or falling in love—and the person wasn’t listening?

Scripture readings for today: Isaiah 1:10, 16-20; Psalm 50; Matthew 23:1-12 The scribes and Pharisees are the group in the Gospels everybody loves to hate. The word most often associated with them is hypocrite .

Scripture readings for today: Daniel 9:4-10; Psalm 79; Luke 6:36-38 One of the TV shows I enjoy watching is Inside the Actors Studio . James Lipton interviews TV and movie stars at the college where he teaches.

Scripture readings for today: Genesis 22:1-2, 9, 10-13, 15-18; Psalm 116; Romans 8:31-34; Mark 9:2-10 When I was young, I often felt as though my parents, my teacher, my coach, and sometimes my closest friends didn’t really understand me.