From the heart of Deacon Doug.
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In our gospel today, Jesus comes into the temple and finds people selling animals for sacrifice and unscrupulous money changers. He is so angry that he makes a whip and drives them out along with their animals, and he turns over the money changers’ tables. Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In today’s Gospel, Jesus is talking about a lost sheep and a lost silver coin. In both instances it’s obvious that the missing item still has worth and value. I wonder how long we would search for a lost coin. A lost animal maybe, but a lost coin Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Today Jesus told the crowd traveling with him that they must hate their mother and father, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even themselves if they are to follow him. That is pretty harsh language. In biblical times “to hate “ often meant to “prefer less”. Yet Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Yesterday we celebrated all the Saints including those unnamed men and women who quietly served and laid down their lives out of love for the Lord. Today on All Souls we remember our “faithful departed”. These are our spouses, our parents, our children, grandchildren and friends. Today reminds Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Our gospel today from Matthew 5:1-12, is from the famous Beatitudes declared by Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount. Jesus opens with “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. This statement is misunderstood by many. Poor in spirit doesn’t Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Who wants to be last ? How many of you enter a contest hoping to be last? Rather we always strive to win. Jesus today tells us that those who humble themselves will be exalted, so do not seek the places of honor at the banquet lest you Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In our Gospel today, Luke 14:1-6, Jesus finds himself on the Sabbath dining at the home of one of the leading Pharisees where they were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy, whom Jesus healed and dismissed. The Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Today is the feast of Sts. Simon and Jude. St. Jude is known as the patron saint of impossible causes. St. Simon was a member of a group of agitators known as Zealots. They violently opposed the Roman occupation. The fact that Jesus called him to be an Apostle Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org When Jesus was asked who will enter the Kingdom of God, he surprised them by his answer. Many Rabbis taught that all of Israel, with a few exceptions, would be saved. After all they were the chosen people of God. Jesus surprised them by saying that being a Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Jesus uses two parables today to try to teach us about the kingdom of heaven. First he uses the example of the mustard seed. Although it’s so small that it’s nearly invisible, it can grow into a tree large enough for birds to come and make a Read more