Category Archives: Catechumenate

The beheading of John the Baptist–Mark 6: 14-29

Posted on July 8, 2021 by Jerry

The Gospel passage for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost in Year B is Mark’s rather gory story of John’s beheading at the request of Herod’s wife via Herodias, his daughter. (The identities of Herod, Herodias [the mother] and Herodias [the … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechumenate, Lectio Divina, Ponderings, Spirituality, Theology | Comments Off on The beheading of John the Baptist–Mark 6: 14-29

Lent & the Catechumenate

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Jerry

It may seem strange to be focussing on Lent during Eastertide but insights come when they will. My brother-in-law and I oftentimes discuss “matters religious” when we get together. He is a conservative Catholic for whom doctrine and dogma are … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechumenate, Church, Lectio Divina, Liturgy, Spirituality, Theology | Tagged | Comments Off on Lent & the Catechumenate

Greeks seeking Jesus: John 12: 20-33

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Jerry

Now among those who went up to worship at the festival were some Greeks. They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and said to him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” Philip went and told Andrew; then … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechumenate, Lectio Divina, Spirituality, Theology | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Greeks seeking Jesus: John 12: 20-33

Ash Wednesday: Invitation to a Holy Lent

Posted on February 18, 2021 by Jerry

“Dear People of God: The first Christians observed with greatdevotion the days of our Lord’s passion and resurrection, andit became the custom of the Church to prepare for them by a                                                          season of penitence and fasting. This season of Lent provided a … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechumenate, Church, Liturgy, Spirituality, Theology | Comments Off on Ash Wednesday: Invitation to a Holy Lent

The Transfiguration — Mark 9:2-9

Posted on February 11, 2021 by Jerry

2 Kings 2: 1-12 — Elijah’s Ascent in a whirlwind: I want to say a few words about this passage before moving on to the related Gospel passage. This is another vivid Hebrew Scripture story. There are a number of … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechumenate, Lectio Divina | Comments Off on The Transfiguration — Mark 9:2-9

Mark 1:29-39 — Being pushed and pulled

Posted on February 4, 2021 by Jerry

So Jesus goes to Simon and Andrew’s house. James and John go along. (These four are the only named disciples at this time.) Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law. “He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up.” (A … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechumenate, Lectio Divina, Personal, Spirituality | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Mark 1:29-39 — Being pushed and pulled

The Monastic Way–The Catechumenate Way

Posted on February 2, 2021 by Jerry

The Slow Work of God —Pierre Teilhard de Chardin Above all, trust in the slow work of God.We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay.We should like to skip the intermediate stages.We are impatient of … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechumenate, Church, Spirituality, Theology | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Monastic Way–The Catechumenate Way

Epiphany 4: Mark 1:21-28

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Jerry

On the Sabbath Jesus does what most Jewish men do. He goes to the synagogue to read the Torah and Prophets and to pray. This was in Capernaum and he was traveling, presumably with those he had called earlier to … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechumenate, Church, Lectio Divina, Personal, Ponderings, Spirituality, Theology | Tagged , | Comments Off on Epiphany 4: Mark 1:21-28

Be silent and let God be God

Posted on January 14, 2021 by Jerry

I’ve done several things recently related to spiritual growth. At the counsel of my pastor, I have sought out a spiritual director and I have started reading Richard Rohr. I think the first will be helpful. We haven’t met except … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechumenate, Spirituality | Comments Off on Be silent and let God be God

Baptism — Mark 1: 4-11

Posted on January 4, 2021 by Jerry

This is the first Sunday of Epiphany. We celebrate the Baptism of our Lord. This is one of the Sundays of the year that we explicitly focus on baptism. This is one of the Sundays of the year when I … Continue reading →

Posted in Catechumenate, Lectio Divina, Theology | Comments Off on Baptism — Mark 1: 4-11