Category Archives: Spirituality

Reflections related to spirituality

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 →

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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 Job, Mark, Ministry | Comments Off

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 church history, monasticism | Comments Off

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 authority, teaching | Comments Off

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 →

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Mt 16: 13-20. Who do you say that I am?

Posted on August 21, 2020 by Jerry

There is much that comes to mind when reflecting on this passage. I tell the candidates that this is the central question of all four gospels. Is it? John does not have Jesus asking the question. Maybe that’s because John’s … Continue reading →

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Matthew 14: 22-33 — Prayer in Quiet and Prayer in Chaos

Posted on August 5, 2020 by Jerry

This Sunday’s Gospel is the story of Jesus walking on the water (Mt 14: 22-33). The phrase “He dismissed the crowds” is repeated in the first verse. Jesus “made” the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the … Continue reading →

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The Grain and the Weeds — Mt 13: 24 – 30

Posted on July 16, 2020 by Jerry

This Sunday (Seventh Sunday after Pentecost) we hear the Parable of the good seeds, the wheat, being choked by the weeds. The pericope skips verse 31-35. There are two more parables, that of the yeast and that of the mustard … Continue reading →

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Luke 24: 44-49 — Catechesis vs Didactic Teaching

Posted on May 21, 2020 by Jerry

Today we celebrate the Ascension of Jesus. Luke 24: 50 – 53) is about the actual ascension. The “Great Commission,” as Luke expresses it, is in Acts: “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and … Continue reading →

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John 14: 15-21: If you love me…

Posted on May 15, 2020 by Jerry

John 14: 15-21 is the Gospel pericope for this Sunday, the 6th Sunday of Easter, 2020. “If you love me you will keep my commandments.” So much has been written about this small phrase and so much more can be … Continue reading →