Special Reflections - Cycles A, B & C

This page offers scriptural reflections for the special feasts and other celebrations throughout the church year that use the same scriptures for all cycles, A, B and C. Reflections are authored by Fr. Francis Martin and are available to stream or download.

These video files are also available on YouTube: Feast Days, Cycles ABC

The Presentation of the Lord Feast Day   Feb 2
Reflection Mystery Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
Malachi 3:1-4
Psalm 24:7-10
Listen Watch
Second Reading Hebrews 2:14-18 Listen Watch
Gospel Luke 2:22-40 Listen Watch
Ash Wednesday Special Liturgy    
Reflection Preparing for Lent Listen Watch
First Reading Joel 2:12-18 Listen Watch
Psalm
Second Reading
Psalm 51:3-6,12-14,17
2 Corinthians 5:20-6:2
Listen Watch
Gospel Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Listen Watch
St. Joseph Solemnity   Mar 19
Reflection The Liturgy & Sacrosanctum Concilium #2 Listen Watch
First Reading 2 Samuel 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 Listen Watch
Gospel (1st choice) Matthew 1:16, 18-21, 24a Listen Watch
Gospel (2nd choice) Luke 2:41-51a Listen Watch
The Annunciation Solemnity   Mar 25
Reflection Faith Seeking Understanding Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10
Psalm 40:7-8A; 8B-9, 10, 11
Listen Watch
Second Reading Hebrews 10:4-10 Listen Watch
Gospel Luke 1:26-38 Listen Watch
The Most Holy Trinity Solemnity    
First Reading
Psalm
Exodus 34:4b-6, 8-9
Daniel 3:52-56
Listen Watch
Second Reading 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 Listen Watch
Gospel John 3:16-18 Listen Watch
The Most Holy Body & Blood of Christ Solemnity    
First Reading
Psalm
Deuteronomy 8:2-3, 14a-16b
Psalm 147:12-13, 14-15, 19-20
Listen Watch
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 Listen Watch
Gospel John 6:51-58 Listen Watch
The Nativity of St. John the Baptist Solemnity   Jun 24
Vigil Mass      
Reflection Prophecy Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
Jeremiah 1:4-10
Psalm 71:1-2, 3-4A, 5-6AB, 15AB and 7
Listen Watch
Second Reading 1 Peter 1:8-12 Listen Watch
Gospel Luke 1:5-17 Listen Watch
Mass During the Day      
Reflection Preparing Israel Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
Isaiah 49:1-6
Psalm 139:1B-3, 13-14AB, 14C-15
Listen Watch
Second Reading Acts 13:22-26 Listen Watch
Gospel Luke 1:57-66, 80 Listen Watch
Saints Peter and Paul Solemnity   Jun 29
Vigil Mass      
Reflection Faith Through Hearing Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
Acts 3:1-10
Psalm 19:2-5
Listen Watch
Second Reading Galatians 1:11-20 Listen Watch
Gospel John 21:15-19 Listen Watch

Mass During the Day

Readings

Acts 12:1-11
Psalms 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9
2 Timothy 4:6-8, 17-18
Matthew 16:13-19
Not available Not available
The Transfiguration  Feast Day   Aug 6
Reflection Glory in the Biblical Tradition Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14
Psalm 97:1-2, 5-6, 9
Listen Watch
Second Reading 2 Peter 1:16-19 Listen Watch
Gospel - Cycle A Matthew 17:1-9 Listen Watch
Gospel - Cycle B
Gospel - Cycle C
Mark 9:2-10
Luke 9:28-36  
Listen Watch
The Assumption of Mary Solemnity, Vigil   Aug 15
Vigil Mass      
Reflection The Redemption of the Body Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
1 Chronicles 15:2-4, 15-16, 1-2
Psalm 132:6-7, 9-10, 13-14
Listen Watch
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 15:54b-57 Listen Watch
Gospel Luke 11:27-28 Listen Watch

Mass During the Day

Readings

Revelation 11:19A; 12:1-6A, 10AB
Psalms 45:10, 11, 12, 16
1 Corinthians 15:20-27
Luke 1:39-56
Not available Not available
The Exaltation of the Holy Cross Feast Day   Sep 14
Reflection Evangelii Gaudium #1-2 Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
Numbers 21:4B-9
Psalm 78:1BC-2, 34-35, 36-37, 38
Listen Watch
Second Reading Philippians 2:6-11 Listen Watch
Gospel John 3:13-17 Listen Watch
All Saints Solemnity   Nov 1
Reflection The Joy of the Gospel Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
Revelation 7:2-4, 9-14
Psalm 24:1-6
Listen Watch
Second Reading 1 John 3:1-3 Listen Watch
Gospel Matthew 5:1-12a Listen Watch
Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed Feast Day (All Souls)   Nov 2
Reflection The Universal Call to Holiness Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
Wisdom 3:1-9
Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Listen Watch
Second Reading Romans 5:5-11 Listen Watch
Gospel Matthew 5:1-12a Listen Watch
Alternative Readings     Nov 2
First Reading
Alternatives 2,3
Wisdom 4:7-15
Isaiah 25:6-9
Listen Watch
Second Reading
Alternatives 1,3,4
Romans 5:5-11
Romans 6:3-9
Romans 8:14-23
Listen Watch
Second Reading
Alternatives 5,6,7
Romans 8:31-35, 37-39
Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12
1 Corinthians 15:20-28
Listen Watch
Second Reading
Alternatives 8,9,9b
1 Corinthians 15:51-57
2 Corinthians 4:14 - 5:1
2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10
Listen Watch
Second Reading
Alternatives 10,11,12
Philippians 3:20-21
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
2 Timothy 2:8-13
Listen Watch
Gospel
Alternatives 1,2,3
Matthew 5:1-12a
Matthew 11:25-30
Matthew 25:31-46
Listen Watch
Gospel
Alternatives 4,5,6
Luke 7:11-17
Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a
Luke 24:13-16, 28-35
Listen Watch
Gospel
Alternatives 7,8,9
John 5:24-29
John 6:37-40
John 6:51-59
Listen Watch
Gospel
Alternatives 10,11,12
John 11:17-27
John 11:32-45
John 14:1-6
Listen Watch
Dedication of the Lateran Basilica Feast Day   Nov 9
Reflection Symbol of the Heavenly City Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
Ezekiel 47:1-2, 8-9, 12
Psalm 46:2-3, 5-6, 8-9
Listen Watch
Second Reading 1 Corinthians 3:9C-11, 16-17 Listen Watch
Gospel John 2:13-22 Listen Watch
Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Solemnity   Dec 8
Reflection Untrammelled Love: The Two Hearts Listen Watch
First Reading
Psalm
Genesis 3:9-15, 20
Psalm 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4
Listen Watch
Second Reading Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Listen Watch
Gospel Luke 1:26-38 Listen Watch