Live Letters: Reflections on the Second Readings of the Sunday Lectionary

The second readings from the Lectionary we hear at Mass on Sundays and holy days are often overlooked by preachers. These readings are almost all from the writings of the apostles in the New Testament and are almost all in letter form. In these short commentaries, Archbishop Pilarczyk focuses on the second readings of all three liturgical years (A,B,C) in order to clarify their relationship with other Mass readings and communicate their significance. Each reflection puts the second reading in context, talks about its content and the consequences of its application to us, and ends with questions for discussion or reflection.

DANIEL E. PILARCZYK is archbishop of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a past president of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops. His books include Practicing Catholic, Thinking Catholic, Believing Catholic and Twelve Tough Issues: What the Church Teaches—and Why (St. Anthony Messenger Press).