Category Archives: Scripture

Benedict XVI Message for the First Sunday of Advent

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Deacon Bob

The Holy Father, in today’s Angelus message from the Vatican, had this to say regarding the world in which we live (my translation of the Italian original): And Isaiah, the prophet of Advent, has us reflect today with a heartfelt … Continue reading →

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The Week of the Maccabees

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Deacon Bob

All this week we have been hearing read at daily Mass excerpts from the books of Maccabees. The setting was described on Monday; on Tuesday we heard of Eleazar; yesterday we heard of the mother and her seven sons; today … Continue reading →

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The Meaning of Success

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Back  in 1973, when I was a college freshman, a required reading was the book, The Meaning of Success, written by Michael Quoist. I honestly don’t remember its contents nearly 40 years later, but the title has never escaped my … Continue reading →

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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 →

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Thoughts While Preparing for Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Deacon Bob

I will be presiding tonight at Eucharistic Adoration and Benediction for one of the parishes to which I am assigned. It will be an hour of quiet before the Lord. The crowd will be small, but those present have a … Continue reading →

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Of Serpents and Doves

Posted on February 27, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Pope St. Gregory the Great, in today’s Office of Readings, gives us a reflection upon the simple yet upright person. He says in part (my English translation of the Italian): “There is a type of simplicity that would be better … Continue reading →

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Yes, God Can Heal You

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Deacon Bob

Yesterday, as I was proclaiming the Gospel at 6:30 am Mass, I was left wondering. The Gospel was about Jesus healing a man, both of his sin and of his physical illness, and how the people accused him of blasphemy … Continue reading →

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Let’s Do Something!

Posted on December 2, 2010 by Deacon Bob

If you haven’t read the Gospel for today (Matthew 7: 21, 24-27), do so. Our Lord is essentially saying to us, “Once you have heard the Gospel proclaimed and heared the Word preached, you have to do something.  You can’t … Continue reading →

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The Literal and the Spiritual Sense of Scripture

Posted on June 15, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I have taken several courses in exegesis since the early 1970s, both on an undergraduate level and on what was the equivalent of graduate studies. There seems to be a tension for so many  between the “literal” sense and the … Continue reading →

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Faithfulness in Prayer

Posted on March 11, 2010 by Deacon Bob

The minor Office of None today has a reading from the Letter to the Hebrews (Heb. 10: 35-36) that one needs to reflect on once in a while when prayer turns dry and distracted. “Do not abandon your faithfulness, for … Continue reading →

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Modern Idols

Posted on March 6, 2010 by Deacon Bob

I am off to a short retreat for the diaconate community. Earlier today I was praying the Office of Readings. The scripture reading was of the Ten Commandments and the patristic reading was from St. Ambrose and his discussion of … Continue reading →

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The Glory in our Hope – Homily for 2nd Sunday of Lent, Cycle C

Posted on March 1, 2010 by Deacon Bob

What glory there is in our hope! It is hope that will bring us to future glory. Our hope in the Cross of Christ. In today’s Gospel, we hear of Christ’s glory as he is transfigured before the apostles Peter, … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on January 26, 2010 by Deacon Bob

“His salvation is near to those who fear him and his glory will live in our land.” — Psalm 85

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Epiphany

Posted on January 3, 2010 by Deacon Bob

You have to admire those Wise Men. We don’t really know how long they travelled or how far. But it wasn’t just a few miles or a few days. Most probably a year or two or longer. They followed a … Continue reading →

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Feast of the Holy Innocents

Posted on December 28, 2009 by Deacon Bob

A couple of days ago, we celebrated the feast of St. Stephen, the first martyr of the Church. Today, we celebrate the feast of the holy Innocents who, in a very real sense, were the real first martyrs. As you … Continue reading →

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