Scripture
Reflections
Each Lent and Advent, CMN offers weekly reflections written by people working to transform the criminal legal system.
Sign up for the 2024 Advent Reflection Series
CMN offers a collection of liturgical reflections to enrich our time of joyful anticipation as we await the coming of the Christ Child. For each week of Advent (along with special Holy Days), subscribers receive a reflection on the Gospel reading delivered directly to their inbox.
These reflections are authored by Catholics and people of faith working to transform the broken criminal legal system. Their clarity of experience and faith-filled witness empowers us in our efforts to end the death penalty, advance justice, and begin healing.
This year, our reflections guide us not only through the preparatory season of Advent, but also to the commencement of the special Jubilee Year 2025 — a year of hope!
-
The Fourth Sunday of Advent: The Power of a Visit
The Fourth Sunday of Advent: The Power of a Visit December 22, 2024 | Sr. Janet Ryan, OSF | Sunday’s Readings In today’s Gospel, Mary’s visit to Elizabeth had a profound impact on both women. Elizabeth, in her time of need, received the gratuitous ‘love of neighbor’ exemplified by Mary. And from Elizabeth, Mary received…
-
The Third Sunday of Advent: What then should we do?
December 15, 2024 | Cullen Larson | Sunday’s Readings “What then should we do?” – Luke 3:10 In his Gospel, Luke is careful to tell us that John the Baptist and Jesus came along at a very specific place and time in history, with particular characters in control of both religious and political power. Just…
-
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe: Now what?
December 12, 2024 | Sr. Misty Garriga, C.D.P | Today’s Readings “Now have salvation and power come, and the Kingdom of our God and the authority of his Anointed.” Rev. 12:10 I am privileged to be able to work with the men on Death Row at the Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas. This past September,…
-
The Second Week of Advent: Finding God in the Desert
The Second Week of Advent: Finding God in the Desert December 8, 2024 | Caitlin Morneau | Sunday’s Readings The Word of God came to John in the desert. In the desert of all places. When I was in college, my campus minister offered us a busy student Advent retreat. I remember my freshman year…
-
Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Carrying Christ’s Light into the World
Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Carrying Christ’s Light into the World December 9, 2024 | Amber Herkey | Today’s Readings Last year, I became a mother. Holding my child, I was struck by the miracle of new life — a living testament to hope. In this new chapter of motherhood, I began to see that…
-
First Sunday of Advent: Preparing for the Coming of Christ
First Sunday of Advent: Preparing for the Coming of Christ December 1, 2024 | Fr. Brian McDermott, S.J. | Sunday’s Readings Tomorrow we begin the new liturgical year and celebrate the first Sunday of Advent. This season has a double focus. It invites us to preparatory prayer and to preparatory work for the long-awaited final…
-
Easter Sunday: Christ is Risen!
March 31, 2024 | Most Rev. Michael Duca | Today’s Readings “Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he had to rise from the dead.” (John 20:8-9) , I have always been…
-
Holy Saturday: The Spirit of Faithful Women
March 30, 2024 | Christian Bentley | Today’s Readings “He has been raised; he is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him.” (Mark16:6) , Two women, Mary and Mary, are moved to perform one more act of loving kindness toward Jesus — despite the probability of the body decomposing and despite their concern…
-
Good Friday: “Stand By Me…”
March 29, 2024 | Fr. Stephen Thorne | Today’s Readings “Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala.” (John 19:25) , The year was 1961 when Ben E. King first released the song, “Stand By Me.” It is considered a classic and has…
-
Holy Thursday: Our Unexpected Table Fellowship
March 28, 2024 | Sr. Teresa Maya, CCVI | Today’s Readings “I have given you a model to follow, so that as I have done for you, you should also do.” (John 13:15) We have all been there, those moments when we improvise a meal for unexpected guests or in response to difficult news. The…