2024 archive of Reflections
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr B, July 28, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 7/26/24
Mark’s Gospel is much shorter than the other synoptic gospels. Hence, from this Sunday, the Church fills the space by introducing a five-week discussion on the Eucharist, our Bread of Life, taken from the sixth chapter of St. John’s Gospel. I strongly recommend that everyone read this passage. Spend ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr B, July 21, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 7/20/24
Even our Lord agrees with Aristotle that “leisure liberates man from the oppression of the useful.” And so, today he invites his apostles who were basking with novice fervor after their return from their first missionary expedition to “come away to some lonely place and rest for a while” ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr B, July 14, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 7/12/24
How often have you over-packed for a trip—taking much more than you actually needed—only to return with many unused stuff? Some people cannot part with the pleasures of life for a second. A dear friend recently traded-in their Motor-home for a fully air-conditioned one with built-in dishwasher, stereo, two ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr B, July 7, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 7/07/24
Familiarity does indeed breed contempt. Frequently, people take others for granted for two reasons: familiarity and pride. You may add a third reason: ignorance, which often wears the garb of “I-know-it-all or I’m better.” Familiarity, pride, ignorance played out well in the first reading and the gospel of today. ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr B, June 30, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 6/29/24
Sickness, suffering, death—where did they originate? Who brought them? The author of the Book of Wisdom makes the case for God, stating that they are not God’s doing. Jesus Himself, who is the Wisdom of God, would demonstrate this beyond doubt. As proof, He went about curing the sick, ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr B, June 23, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 6/21/24
Whenever we read the story of Job, it brings with it a reminder that it is absolutely beyond our comprehension to fully understand why some people suffer and some (we think or assume) do not. Years ago, I visited a dying parishioner who said she was angry with God ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr B, June 16, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 6/14/24
A friend of mine is so picky that she buys only organic produce because she fears passing the toxins in our foods into any child she’ll bring to the world. Sounds like she’s in for a rude awakening, for the chemicals have infested nearly everything we consume. I was ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Yr B, June 9, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 6/07/24
It appears our age has declared a no-holds-barred match for vile, untamed and unsavory speech. Use of expletives in speech are the new normal, in so far as they’re pelted on others of different ideological camp. Our Lord Himself was also a recipient of vicious and generous insults from ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ Yr B, June 2, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 6/01/24
Nothing depicts the Eucharistic Meal more as a mystery meal than the sign that Jesus, in today’s gospel, gave to two of his disciples who had the charge of preparing the venue for the meal. He told them: “Go into the city and a man will meet you, carrying ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Most Holy Trinity Yr B, May 26, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 5/25/24
The first prayer I learned as a child was a sign, with accompanying words—the Sign of the Cross: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” The sign that accompanies this prayer is no meaningless gesturing, rather an expression of what lies ... Read More »