Jan. 30, The Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time: The readings today remind us to be realistic about the challenges of the world.

Jan. 23, The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time: In today’s Gospel, we witness Jesus reading Scripture, relating it to his own experience and context, and using it to proclaim his purpose in the world.

Jan. 16, The Second Sunday in Ordinary Time: Jesus’ miracle reminds us that even if we are not directly impacted or even responsible, if we can help, we should help people in need.

Jan. 9, The Baptism of the Lord: Today we are reminded of the implications of our own baptism as a sacrament that orients us toward mission and service to others following the model of Jesus.

Jan. 2, The Feast of the Epiphany: The traditions of the Epiphany invite us to think about how we can find our way to Christ throughout the year.

We are reminded to interact with people beyond our household; different experiences and perspectives enrich our lives and increase our wisdom.

As we near the end of Advent, the Gospel can inspire us to respond when we are called in new, challenging directions.

We should find joy in God’s presence in our lives, looking for ways to foster joy in the world as we live out our faith.

During Advent we should be intentional in trying to improve, to grow mentally and spiritually and to help to create a just society.

We are reminded not to be consumed with things that distract from the focus of the season of Advent.

The feast of Christ the King is an opportunity to think about ways that we promote God’s kingdom in the world.

The themes of power, timeliness and anticipation are prominent.

The readings present two women as models of living charitably, selflessly showing kindness to others.

As we remember those who have died, we reflect on how their lives and sacrifices influence and inspire our lives.

Today’s readings highlight God’s care and power to heal and remind us to pray for what requires healing in our lives.

We are prompted to reflect on ways that we can serve one another and are also challenged to address suffering in our midst.

The readings prompt appreciation and action, emphasizing the value of wisdom and the need to serve the poor.

The readings show an evolution of thoughts on relationships: humans and animals, husband and wife, adult and child.

All three texts elucidate the power and importance of living in ways that honor ourselves and others.

We are all called to model the principles of the Gospel, and when leaders fail in this regard, it is important for the rest of us to step up.