I’ve begun to call it the Gospel on the Green Line.

VATICAN – The season of Lent is a time for Christians to reflect on and practice the mercy of God toward others and not waste away sitting in judgment of others, Pope Francis said.

Baptism of the Lord, Jan. 13 (Year C) Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11; Psalm 104; Titus 2:11-14; 3:4-7; Luke 3:15-16, 21-22

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VATICAN – Lying or being inauthentic is seriously wrong because it hinders or harms human relationships, Pope Francis said.

28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Oct. 14 (Year B) Wisdom 7:7-11; Psalm 90; Hebrews 4:12-13; Mark 10:17-30

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VATICAN – During times of freedom or persecution, the Gospel is needed to bring meaning, fullness and hope to life, Pope Francis said.

Whenever someone asks me what I study in school, my heart always sinks a bit. 

In a remote fishing village, the people became accustomed to the pounding of the heavy seas which imperiled every boat leaving their harbour, but they never could become accustomed to the deaths. The deaths of fishermen caught in the grip of an uncompromising ocean in the dead of night. 

24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sept. 16 (Year B) Isaiah 50:5-9; Psalm 116; James 2:14-18; Mark 8:27-35

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23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sept. 9 (Year B) Isaiah 35:4-7; Psalm 146; James 2:1-5; Mark 7:31-37

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VATICAN – Jesus himself showed that the best way to respond to scandal and divisiveness is to stay silent and pray, Pope Francis said Sept. 3 as he resumed his early morning Masses with invited guests.

Aretha Franklin, a singer who began her career with gospel music and was later crowned the “Queen of Soul,” died Thursday (Aug. 16) after battling a range of health issues. She was 76.

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Aug. 5 (Year B) Exodus 16:2-4, 12-16, 31a; Psalm 78; Ephesians 4:17, 20-24; John 6:24-35

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VATICAN – All Christians are called to be missionaries, concerned more with sharing the Gospel than with earning money or even with being successful at winning converts, Pope Francis said.

The Lord God called to the man and said, “Where are you?”