Category Archives: Scripture

Feast of the Doubting Apostle, Thomas

Posted on July 3, 2009 by Deacon Bob

We celebrate today the feast of Thomas the Apostle.  Doubting Thomas, as we are apt to say so often.  St. Gregory the Great’s words today about this man are worth considering.  Again, my translation from the Italian. “What, brothers, do … Continue reading →

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Dancing With Delight Before the Lord

Posted on July 2, 2009 by Deacon Bob

We read today in the Office of Readings about King David as he transported the Ark of God. It says: “David and the whole house of Israel made merry with all their might with songs and citharas, harps and tambourines, sistras … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on June 29, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” — 2 Tim. 4:7 Let us pray that each of us may sincerely say this on the day of our death. And may each of us … Continue reading →

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Psalm 34(35)

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Today’s Office of Readings asks us to pray Psalm 34(35).  It is a prayer asking God to save us in times of persecution.  The Italian translation offers some wonderful phrases that are very descriptive.  My translation into English follows: Lord, … Continue reading →

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Feast of St. Mark, the Evangelist

Posted on April 25, 2009 by Deacon Bob

“Marco é piu antico!” The location:The great aula of the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome The time:     First semester, fall, 1977 The actors:  Padre Pedro Ortiz, S.J., professor                    Students from all over … Continue reading →

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Biblical History vs. “Myth”

Posted on March 9, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I am in the middle of reading an interesting book entitled, The Bible Unearthed: Archaeology’s New Vision of Ancient Israel and the Origin of Its Secrets by Finkelstein and Silberman.  I am only half-way through, but it is evident their … Continue reading →

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Psalm of the Day

Posted on February 26, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I can’t help but post on Psalm 144 which we prayed tonight at Vespers.  I pray in Italian, which I find to be such a beautiful language of prayer, that I am afraid my English translation below really doesn’t do … Continue reading →

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Qoheleth and the Works of God

Posted on February 24, 2009 by Deacon Bob

Today’s Office of Readings again is from Qoheleth.  Qoheleth says: “I thought again that whatever God does is immutable; there is nothing to add, nothing to take away.  God works like this so we may have a sense of awe and … Continue reading →

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Attention Deacons!

Posted on February 1, 2009 by Deacon Bob

St. Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians has a verse that speaks to the heart of the diaconate. “We were so solicitous of you that we desired to give you not only the Gospel of God, but our very life, … Continue reading →

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A Lesson from Moses

Posted on January 31, 2009 by Deacon Bob

We read today from Deuteronomy in the Office of Readings.  God was talking to Moses right before his death on Mount Nebo.  God said: “You will die on the mountain which you are about to ascend….because you did not manifest … Continue reading →

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Wisdom and Awe of God

Posted on January 12, 2009 by Deacon Bob

The Office of Readings for the start of Ordinary Time begins with the book of Sirach, and Sirach begins with a discourse on Wisdom. Most of us have read and heard this before, but it is worth reading and hearing … Continue reading →

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Wisdom as We Conclude the Christmas Season

Posted on January 10, 2009 by Deacon Bob

I was struck by the reading for Morning Prayer today. Tomorrow ends our Christmas season, and today, the second to the last day, our scripture from Lauds is taken from the book of Wisdom.  It reads: “Wisdom is the refulgence … Continue reading →

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Daily Reflections

Posted on January 2, 2009 by Deacon Bob

If you haven’t already discovered it, the United States Council of Catholic Bishops provides a daily video reflection on the Mass readings.  Today’s reflection is about John the Baptist knowing who he is and who he isn’t, and how we need … Continue reading →

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Pope Benedict on Faith and Works

Posted on November 26, 2008 by Deacon Bob

Pope Benedict said last Wednesday: ”For this reason Luther’s phrase: ‘faith alone’ is true, if it is not opposed to faith in charity, in love.  Faith is looking at Christ, entrusting oneself to Christ, being united to Christ, conformed to Christ, … Continue reading →

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Monday of the 33rd Week

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Deacon Bob

I was lector at the 6:30 AM Mass this morning, so I proclaimed the reading from the beginning of the book of Revelation.  John wrote that the one who reads and proclaims these words is blessed and those who listen … Continue reading →

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Friday of the 32nd Week of the Year

Posted on November 14, 2008 by Deacon Bob

The Office of Readings, as it typically does, has an interesting reflection this morning in the second reading.  An anonymous author from the 2nd Century in a homily wrote (my translation from the Italian):   “Fasting is worth more than prayer, … Continue reading →

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