Todd von Kampen

Meditations on Scriptures -- Ascension/7th Sunday of Easter (Year B), 5/17-20/12

(Note: The Archdiocese of Omaha, the author's home, is one of only six dioceses in the United States that continues to celebrate Ascension Day, a Catholic “holy day of obligation,” on the Thursday that is 40...

Meditations on Scriptures -- 6th Sunday of Easter (Year B), 5/12-13/12

Opening reflection (taken from Magnificat magazine, www.magnificat.com): Cornelius falls at the feet of Peter because “the Lord has revealed to the nations His saving power” in human flesh. “The Lord has made His salvation known...

Meditations on Scriptures -- 5th Sunday of Easter (Year B), 5/5-6/12

Opening reflection (taken from Magnificat magazine, www.magnificat.com): The early Church was “at peace” and “being built up.” “With the consolation of the Holy Spirit it grew in numbers.” Only one thing can...

Meditations on Scriptures -- 4th Sunday of Easter (Year B), 4/28-29/12

Opening reflection (taken from Magnificat magazine, www.magnificat.com): To “take refuge in the Lord,” the Good Shepherd, we must face the predicament of our powerlessness, our extreme limitations and our need to follow someone if we want...

Meditations on Scriptures -- 3rd Sunday of Easter (Year B), 4/21-22/12

Opening reflection (taken from Magnificat magazine, www.magnificat.com): The risen Christ stands in our midst and asks, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? Look at My hands and My feet, that it...

Meditations on Scriptures -- 2nd Sunday of Easter (Year B), 4/14-15/12

(Notes: This weekend on the Catholic liturgical calendar has become intertwined with the life of Blessed Pope John Paul II (1920-2005), who was beatified in May 2011. On April 30, 2000, John Paul canonized St. Faustina Kowalska of Poland...

Meditations on Scriptures -- Paschal Triduum and Easter, 4/5-8/12

(Note: As indicated in last weekend's Scripture meditations for Palm Sunday, the Scripture readings for Holy Week and Easter are the same each year except for the Gospel readings appropriate to the current year in the Church'...

Meditations on Scriptures -- Palm Sunday (Year B), 3/31-4/1/12

First of two parts.(Note: As befits the most important week of the Christian year, the Catholic Church takes its most in-depth look at Holy Scripture during Holy Week and Easter. The Scripture readings, however, are the same from...

Meditations on Scriptures -- St. Mark Passion, 3/31-4/1/12

Last of two parts.Gospel: Mark 14:1-15:47(Note: Every Holy Week, Catholics jointly read through two of the four Passion accounts in the Gospels, with the priest voicing Jesus and the congregation taking on the roles of...

Meditations on Scriptures -- 5th Sunday of Lent (Year B), 3/24-25/12

Opening reflection (taken from Magnificat magazine, www.magnificat.com): “Some Greeks” voice their desire: “We would like to see Jesus.” What they hope to encounter through such an audience is “the joy of salvation.&rdquo...

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