From the heart of Deacon Doug.
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In todays Gospel, John 17: 20-26, we find Jesus saying “Righteous Father, the world also does not know you. I made it known to them that the love with which you loved me may be in them and I in them”. His statement that the Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Our readings today beg the question: do we approach the Lord Jesus with expectant hope or with skeptical doubt ? What did the hemorrhaging woman and Jairus expect from Jesus ? Obviously they expected Jesus could heal. But they also went out of their way to try to Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In Jesus time, the Jews hated the Romans because they represented everything the Jews stood against including pagan beliefs and worship of idols. It was therefore astonishing for them to see Jesus conversing with and then going with a Roman Centurion. Even more so because a Centurion Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In today’s Gospel, Matthew 8:1-4, we find Jesus laying hands on a leper and healing him. Lepers were considered ritually unclean, and anyone who touched a leper would become unclean as well, that is why they were forbidden from being around other people. This poor man not Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Today is the feast day commemorating the birthday of St. John the Baptist. It is also approximately the longest day of the year. This day always reminds me of the flow of our church’s liturgical calendar. This feast day was placed here because after today the days Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org When Jesus says that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a rotten tree bear good fruit, he is talking to us who are supposed to be people of faith. He isn’t talking to pagans here. He is addressing this to us believers and reminding Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org What kind of foundation is my life built upon? What principles have I built my life around ? There is a difference between acting on principles and simply the desire to do what is right. Most people sincerely want to do the right thing, but Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In today’s Gospel, Matthew 22:34-40, Jesus is asked by one of the Pharisees which is the greatest commandment. He responds with not one but two commandments – “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Happy Father’s Day all of you father’s, grandfather’s and great grandfather’s. My prayer is for you and for all of those beautiful women in our lives. Without them we would not be fathers. For my reflection I’m sending this poem; God took the strength of a mountain, the Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Sheila and I just returned from a short week in Juneau, Alaska. It was our 50th and last state to visit. We were struck by the beauty of that place but also how isolated it is. The only highway is 38 miles long and then it just ends. Juneau Read more