From the heart of Deacon Doug.
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org People often ask me how the Sunday readings are selected. They are part of the Church’s three year cycle and are not chosen by the pastor or the parishioners. In this cycle, Year A centers on Matthew’s Gospel, Year B on Mark, and Year C on Luke. John’s Read more…
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Today’s Gospel is the story of the man who had two sons. One said yes but didn’t go into the vineyard. The other said no but eventually decided to go. My first thought is that actions speak louder than words. We need to understand the “yes” we Read more…
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In our gospel today of Matthew 21:23-27, Jesus is approached by the temple elders, and they are not happy with him. They don’t like his teachings challenging their religious laws and practices. They don’t like his chasing the money changers out of the temple, and his healing Read more…
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org John the Baptist was sent to prepare the way for the Messiah. However, John didn’t receive any clear direction about his mission. No angel was sent to tell him what he was supposed to do. When Jesus came, John wasn’t even sure he was the right one. John Read more…
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Well Advent is nearly half over. Am I still trying to draw ever closer to Christ or has my shopping and other activities taken control ? Perhaps reflecting on Jesus would be easier if I knew more about his early life and childhood. The gospel writers mostly tell Read more…
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In our gospel today, Matthew 11:16-19, Jesus is accused of being a glutton and a drunkard, and hanging out with sinners. Jesus was being judged by people that obviously didn’t understand his mission on earth. What was meant to be an insult, was really an affirmation of Read more…
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Happy Immaculate Conception ! I often ponder whether Mary, before the angel Gabriel spoke to her, had a sense that she was specially blessed by God. The Church teaches that Mary was free from sin from the very moment of her conception, she was “full Read more…
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In every group of animals there seems to be one who gets distracted and lost. In any large group it seems we are often waiting for one person. In our lives too it is easy to get distracted. Many times when this happens we stray away from our Read more…
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In our Gospel today, Luke 3:1-6, we hear the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. John, as prophesized by Isaiah, is “a voice crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the lord”. John heeded God’s call and began his mission, Read more…
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In our Gospel today, Luke 3:1-6, we hear the word of God came to John, the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth. John, as prophesized by Isaiah, is “a voice crying out in the desert: Prepare the way of the lord”. John heeded God’s call and began his mission, Read more…