Fr. Timothy W. Castor is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Rapid City, South Dakota. Presently, he serves as Parochial Vicar in the parishes of St. Joseph's, Spearfish and St. Paul's, Belle Fourche.
Isaiah 66:18-21 Hebrews 12:5-7.11-13 Luke 13:23-30 There’s no point in trying to sugarcoat today’s gospel. Our Lord’s words are not easy to hear, but he means what he says. “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough…. then will you stand [...]
The theme of today’s readings couldn’t be clearer: it is the theme of following Christ; of being his disciples. The first reading, from the Old Testament, introduces this theme as it relates the story of how the Lord sends the prophet Elijah to anoint Elisha to be his disciple and successor. What happens between the [...]
2 Samuel 12:7-10.13 Galatians 2:16.19-21 Luke 7:36-8:3 The liturgical color green has once again returned to our Lord’s Day Mass, and this of course signifies that we have at last entered the longest season of the Church Year—the season of Ordinary Time after Pentecost. This is the season which takes us through the summer and [...]
Ephesians 3:13-21 Luke 14:1-11 –Fr. Timothy Castor At first glance, the parable in today’s Gospel seems to be little more than a lesson in etiquette: good table manners for when you’re invited to a banquet. And, on that level, it happens to be excellent advice. If you don’t know where you’re supposed to sit, the [...]
Wisdom 2:12.17-20 James 3:16-4:3 Mark 9:30-37 –Fr. Timothy W. Castor On three separate occasions during his earthly ministry, our Blessed Lord Jesus foretold his coming death and resurrection. The first time was right after Peter’s profession of faith—“you are the Christ, the Son of the living God”—and just before his Transfiguration. On this occasion, Jesus [...]
Galatians 3:16-22 Luke 17:11-19 Fr. Timothy W. Castor (preached on Sunday, August 30, 2009) To be a victim of leprosy is to be isolated from the rest of society. Even today, when we know what causes Hansen’s disease and have developed effective treatments to cure it, those who contract leprosy are likely to be shunned [...]
2 Corinthians 3:4-9 Luke 10:25-37 —Fr. Timothy W. Castor (preached Sunday, August 23, 2009) In the time of Jesus, the Rabbis determined that there were 613 separate laws in the five books of Moses, and they believed that if they could fulfill them all, God would grant them eternal life. Quite a daunting task because, [...]
Proverbs 9:1-6 Ephesians 5:15-20 John 6:51-58 Fr. Timothy W. Castor (preached on Sunday, August 16, 2009) We all know fine Christian folk who are very devoted to the Sacred Scriptures. They have tremendous love and respect for the Bible as the inspired written Word of God. They read the Bible frequently, study it deeply, and [...]
2 Kings 4:42-44 Ephesians 4:1-6 John 6:1-15 Fr. Timothy W. Castor (preached on Sunday, July 26, 2009) Throughout Year B in the three-year cycle of readings, we normally hear the Gospel of St. Mark at Sunday Mass. But today we take a break from Mark and we begin a more-or-less continuous reading through the sixth [...]
Exodus 16:2-4,12-15 Ephesians 4:17,20-24 John 6:24-35 Fr. Timothy W. Castor (preached on Sunday, August 2, 2009) Year B of the three year cycle of readings is the year of Saint Mark. Accordingly, during the Sundays of Ordinary Time this past year we have been hearing a more or less continuous reading of Saint Mark’s Gospel. [...]