Readings Here Feast of Saint Thomas, Apostle John 20:24–29 The Gospel story chosen for today’s feast brings us back to Easter. We know it very well. It is the evening of the first Easter Sunday. The risen Lord comes to His frightened disciples. But Thomas is not with them. Why? We do not know. We can only say this: he missed the encounter. And when the others later tell him, ...

Readings Here Thursday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Amos 7:10–17 The Book of Amos has nine chapters. But in today’s reading, his mission reaches its dangerous turning point. Amos has spoken too clearly. He has named the injustice of Israel. He has exposed the emptiness of worship when the poor are trampled. He has announced that the kingdom itself is standing under judgment. And now the system reacts. ...

Readings Here Wednesday of the Thirteenth Week in Ordinary Time Amos 5:14–15, 21–24 This is one of the most powerful statements in the Bible: worship without justice is abhorrent to the Lord. Not incomplete. Not weak. Not merely imperfect. Abhorrent. The Lord says through Amos: “I hate, I despise your feasts.” “I take no pleasure in your solemn assemblies.” “Take away from me the noise of your songs.” These are terrible words. ...