Reflections
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, January 26, 2025
Posted by John Wolf on 1/25/25
Let me once again explain the reason for the three year cycle of the Church’s Liturgical Year. The arrangement of the Liturgical Year draws from the synoptic Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke. The years are distinguished using the letters ABC. In Liturgical Year A, our Gospel readings for Sunday ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year C, January 19, 2025
Posted by John Wolf on 1/17/25
Despite the recent warning by the Surgeon General about alcoholic beverages, I won’t hide the fact that I occasionally like to have a glass of red wine after dinner, and Bailey’s Irish Cream for my coffee. In fact, Santa delivered a giant bottle of Baileys during the Christmas. That ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Baptism of the Lord, Year C, January 12, 2025
Posted by John Wolf on 1/10/25
While many Americans brought down their Christmas trees and decorations the day after Christmas, intentional Catholics know that Christmas season only began on Christmas day and concludes today with the feast of the Baptism of the Lord. Christmas, like Easter, is celebrated with an octave—eight consecutive days that liturgically ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Epiphany of the Lord, Year C, January 5, 2025
Posted by John Wolf on 1/03/25
On the wall of my father’s living room hangs a large framed picture with these words: “Christ is the Head of this House, the Unseen Guest at Every Meal, and the Silent Listener to Every Conversation.” My father reminded us as kids that Jesus hears every word we utter, ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph, Year C, December 29, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 12/27/24
An RE teacher was once instructing her class on the importance of the family and things that money can’t buy. “Money can’t buy happiness, or laughter, or love,” she told them. To illustrate her point, she asked the children: “How much would I offer you not to love your ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Fourth Sunday of Advent, Year C, December 22, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 12/20/24
On this Fourth Sunday of Advent and the last Sunday before Christmas, the Church focuses attention on a young pregnant woman about to deliver a baby. Her name appears in different forms today as Mary, Maria, Miriam, Marian or Mariah—a name used in many languages, showing how popular and ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Third Sunday of Advent, Year C, December 15, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 12/12/24
Happy “Gaudete Sunday!” I send you this greeting on this Rose Sunday or Rejoice Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice and it underscores the tune of today’s liturgy. You must have observed the change from violet to rose—a much brighter color. You also noticed the third rose ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the Second Sunday of Advent, Year C, December 8, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 12/06/24
President Eisenhower will live forever in the hearts and minds of American citizens. The young may not know much about him but it doesn’t take much effort to understand his contribution to our nation building. When you drive on any Interstate of four-lane or more highway across the country, ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent, Year C, December 1, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 11/29/24
on a very optimistic note. Jeremiah foretells that Judah shall be safe and Jerusalem dwell secure. Imagine that! Isn’t that the kind of news we long to hear today as the drums of war sound and more conflicts seem to arise? Won’t you love to hear that our airplanes, ... Read More »
Fr. Jo's Reflection for Our Lord Jesus Christ King of the Universe, Yr B, November 24, 2024
Posted by John Wolf on 11/22/24
The reason some people deride Jesus and fail woefully to visualize and recognize Him as king is chiefly because they do not understand His initial claim to kingship. To be fair to them, it’s kind of unseemly to perceive as king, one standing before another king in handcuffs, defending ... Read More »