Reflections
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Sunday of Divine Mercy), Yr A, April 16, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 4/14/23
You’ll perhaps think that if Jesus, after His resurrection, had shown Himself to more people besides His disciples, everyone would believe that He rose from the dead. If on that Easter morning, He had presented Himself to Herod, then Pilate and Caiaphas, that would be quite impressive; but He ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for Easter Sunday, Yr A, April 9, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 4/07/23
I recommend that every Christian should have in their bucket list of things to do before they die, two pilgrimages: one to Rome, specifically for the celebration of Easter, and another to Jerusalem for the celebration of Holy Week. It’ll be a kind of ‘reverse pilgrimage’ to attend the ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord, Yr A, April 2, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 3/31/23
Psalm 122:3 says: “Jerusalem is built as a city strongly compact; it is there that the tribes GO UP, the tribes of the Lord.” And so, there’s this imagery of Jerusalem as a city to which people go up. From whichever direction you’re taking to Jerusalem, you’re going up. ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, Yr A, March 26, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 3/24/23
It was still dark as I was returning from early Mass at the convent. As I pulled to the driveway of the rectory, a middle-aged man was standing there waiting for me. He looked very downcast. I drew closer and asked why he looked very frightened. He started: “Father, ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, Yr A, March 19, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 3/17/23
Suppose all were blind but three of us, and we tell you that we could see the sun in the morning, and after twelve hours of daylight there’s night. Would you believe us? A fraction may, but a large number will tag our claim “delusional.” And if they have ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Third Sunday of Lent, Yr A, March 12, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 3/10/23
For the Greeks, Life came from water. Thales of Miletus philosophized: “Water is the urstoff of all things.” Could the Lord have agreed—when He asked the Samaritan woman for water? Imagine how chaotic life would turn in our cities if there is no supply of water for one full ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Second Sunday of Lent, Yr A, March 5, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 3/03/23
If you believe you’re too old to change course, think of Abraham and his wife Sarah. Abraham was 75 years old when God called him to abandon his land, his family and inheritance for an unknown land, with no clear mission. It was an adventure that he undertook by ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the First Sunday of Lent, Yr A, February 26, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 2/25/23
The season of grace is here once again, and we thank God for His special grace of redeeming love, which is made manifest in the seasons of the Church. Lent comes as an opportunity to awaken our spiritual senses and unite ourselves to the redeeming suffering and death of ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Seventh Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, February 19, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 2/17/23
One late evening, two drunk motorcyclists strutted into a bar in Atmore, Alabama. Noisily, they ordered more drinks and headed to the right side of the bar where a gentleman was sitting alone enjoying a glass of soft drink. One of them grabbed the salt container and emptied its ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr A, February 12, 2023
Posted by John Wolf on 2/10/23
Whenever I see an icon on my phone asking me to update the software, I usually grow apprehensive, not knowing what changes are coming to the little machine. Sometimes, it’ll mean relearning everything you already know or are used to: because our little devices appear to have a mind ... Read More »