Category Archives: Prayer and Meditation

Thank God for the Psalms!

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father yesterday spoke of the Psalms and their significance during his general audience. If you happen to read Italian, you can read his discourse at: the Holy Father. Here are a few excerpts (translation by Diane Montagna): As … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Scripture | Comments Off on Thank God for the Psalms!

Hear Ye, Bishops, Priests and Deacons

Posted on May 25, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I am reading today for the first time the homily of Archbishop J. Peter Sartain at his installation Mass in Seattle on December 1, 2010. Archbishop Sartain and I studied together in Rome in the late 1970s, and even though … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Spirituality | Comments Off on Hear Ye, Bishops, Priests and Deacons

Quote for the Day

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“Give praise to Him because He is good; exalt Him by your deeds, for He has sent you into the whole world for this reason — that in word and deed you may bear witness to His voice and bring … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Quote for the Day

Posted on April 29, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“I am not moved to love You, O Lord my God for all the gifts You’ve given to share. Nor am I moved to please You in what is pleasing to me. It is enough to have the cross I … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Spirituality | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Quote for the Day

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“I am the Christ. Come, therefore, all people oppressed by sin and receive forgiveness. I am indeed your pardon, I am the Passover of redemption, I am the Lamb immolated for you, I am your washing, your light, your salvation, … Continue reading →

Posted in Christology, Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

“The Open Book of Our Frail Hearts”

Posted on April 23, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Pope Benedict said at the beginning of the Way of the Cross in Rome yesterday that in the “hour of darkness” of the Church and the world, God reads “the open book of our frail hearts.” What comforting words taken … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation | Comments Off on “The Open Book of Our Frail Hearts”

Blood and Water

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Deacon Bob

From the side of Jesus on the cross flowed blood and water. St. John Chrysostom admonishes us to not pass over this aspect of Golgotha without stopping and meditating on it. Blood and water…. Chrysostom said in his Catechesis (my … Continue reading →

Posted in Christology, Dogmatic Theology, Prayer and Meditation | 1 Comment

An Ancient Homily on Easter

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Office of Readings gives us opportunity today to reflect upon Jesus as the Lamb that is slain for our salvation, and the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises. St. Melito of Sardis, bishop, is the author. I provide here … Continue reading →

Posted in Christology, Prayer and Meditation | Comments Off on An Ancient Homily on Easter

A Meditation for the Beginning of Holy Week

Posted on April 17, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Thanks to Dr. Lori Pieper over at On Pilgrimmage I would like to offer the following prayer composed by Papa Luciani (Pope John Paul the First). It was actually a part of one of his homilies when he was bishop … Continue reading →

Posted in Papa Luciani (Pope John Paul I), Prayer and Meditation | 1 Comment

Reflection on Prayer by Tertullian

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Today’s Office of Readings includes a treatise written by Tertullian, an ancient Church writer, which beautifully describes prayer. I want to translate a segment of it from the Italian text I use. “Therefore [prayer’s] single task is to call back … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation | Comments Off on Reflection on Prayer by Tertullian

Quote for the Day

Posted on March 11, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“Courtesy is one of the properties of the Lord, who serves out sun and rain and all his things which we need for our life, to the just and the unjust alike. For Courtesy is a sister of Charity, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets, Spirituality | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Quote for the Day

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“Reading something ninety-nine times is not the same as reading it a hundred times.” — Jewish proverb (Good for us to remember when meditating upon a well-known Scripture passage!)

Posted in Prayer and Meditation | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Quote for the Day

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“Stay with me Lord, because I am weak and I need your strength, that I may not fall so often.” — St. Pio of Pietrelcina, OFM Cap.

Posted in Prayer and Meditation, Saints and Prophets | 1 Comment

Quote for the Day

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Deacon Bob

“If you have God, you have everything; without Him, you have nothing.” — Fr. Larry Richards

Posted in Prayer and Meditation | Comments Off on Quote for the Day

Eucharistic Adoration

Posted on January 5, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Tonight, I began monthly Eucharistic Adoration at the small rural parish to which I am assigned. This parish is in a town of about 400 people. It has about 60 families registered. It is clustered with a parish of about … Continue reading →

Posted in Prayer and Meditation | Comments Off on Eucharistic Adoration