2023 archive of Reflections
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Twenty-Nineth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, October 22, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 10/20/23
When kids go to hunt rabbits, their greatest luck comes when they see the rabbit run into its hole. It significantly increases their chances of catching their game. First, given that every rabbit hole has an escape route, the kids search out its escape route and close it. Second, ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, October 15, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 10/13/23
While his pastor was on vacation, a certain associate allowed a poor couple to have their wedding reception inside the Church. Reason: They couldn't afford the rent for the parish hall. Upon his return, some zealous parishioners who felt offended brought their concern to the pastor. Deeply infuriated, the ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Twenty-Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, October 8, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 10/06/23
The greedy dog of Aesop’s Fables fits today’s gospel narrative of the greedy tenants. The fable of The Dog with a Bone, tells of a greedy dog that got hold of a bone and, in bid to enjoy the bone alone, decides to run as far away as he ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Twenty-Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, October 1, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 9/29/23
No one should pray to have any of the two boys of today’s gospel for an ideal son. The first son surely needs a better lesson in obedience. Obedience does not begin with a ‘no.’ And for that other boy who thought he could fool his dad by saying ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Twenty-Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, September 24, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 9/22/23
A labor dispute erupts in today’s gospel. Labor leaders express their dismay at the disproportionate manner in which the employer decides to compensate workers. “It’s not fair,” they grumbled at their employer, “for people who worked a full days-shift to be compensated same as those who worked merely an ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Twenty-Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, September 17, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 9/15/23
Did you notice how Ben Sirach describes wrath and anger in today’s first reading? He says they’re hateful things; yet, unfortunately the sinner hugs them tight. You know those expressions that have become part of everyday language: “l’ll get even with him,” “I’d be a fool if I let ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Twenty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, September 10, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 9/09/23
Anyone who doubts that Jesus founded a community (church) after His own heart to which we’re called to belong, should pay close attention to today’s gospel. This gospel passage has been called a “Dissertation on the Church,” meaning that, yes, Jesus wanted to found a Church, organized with set ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, September 3, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 9/01/23
If you want to see how a rock can turn into a stumbling block, look no further than the life of Simon Peter. Last Sunday, the Lord Jesus praised his faith and heavenly intuition. Today the rock turns into a stumbling block and was reproached in the strongest terms: ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Twenty-First Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, August 27, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 8/25/23
my mother gave me the key to our house, she made it seem as if I was being handed the nuclear code. I was about ten years old. But she handed it to me as though she was giving me a priceless heirloom. Then came a stream of instructions ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, August 20, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 8/18/23
If you felt uncomfortable about today’s gospel, you’re not alone. Despite our love for puppies, no one would like to be called a puppy or a dog, ...or would you? And don’t think that when Jews call a foreigner ‘a dog’ they imply an adorable puppy, like your pet ... Read More »