Irreverently Reverend

  First Sunday of Advent “There will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars. On the earth, there will be dismay among nations in their confusion over the roaring of the sea and surging waves.  26  The planets and other heavenly bodies will be shaken, causing people to faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world.  27  Then they will see the Human One coming on a cloud with power and great splendor.  28  Now when these things begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is near.” 29  Jesus told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees.  30  When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.  31  In the same way, when you see these things happening, you know that God’s kingdom is near.  32  I assure you that this generation won’t pass away until everything has happened .  33  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will certainly not pass away. 34  “Take care that your hearts aren

  Christ the King Sunday As I watched, thrones were set in place,     and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow,     and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames,     and its wheels were burning fire. 10  A stream of fire issued     and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousands served him,     and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgment,     and the books were opened.     13  As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being     coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One     and was presented before him. 14  To him was given dominion     and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages     should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion     that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one     that shall never be destroyed. (NRSV)             In 1925, Pope Pius XI issued the encyclical Quas Prima

  Ordinary Time On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters;  5  but to Hannah he gave a double portion, because he loved her, though the Lord had closed her womb.  6  Her rival used to provoke her severely, to irritate her, because the Lord had closed her womb.  7  So it went on year by year; as often as she went up to the house of the Lord, she used to provoke her. Therefore Hannah wept and would not eat.  8  Her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep? Why do you not eat? Why is your heart sad? Am I not more to you than ten sons?” 9  After they had eaten and drunk at Shiloh, Hannah rose and presented herself before the Lord. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord.  10  She was deeply distressed and prayed to the Lord, and wept bitterly.  11  She made this vow: “O Lord of hosts, if only you will look on the misery of your servant, and remember me, an

  All Saints Sunday (Ordinary Time) Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.  2  I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.  3  I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “Look! God’s dwelling is here with humankind. He will dwell with them, and they will be his peoples. God himself will be with them as their God .  4  He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more. There will be no mourning, crying, or pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”  5  Then the one seated on the throne said, “Look! I’m making all things new.” He also said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  6  Then he said to me, “All is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will freely give water from the life-giving spring.” (CEB)             The