From the heart of Deacon Doug.
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Today we celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation. Mary’s first reaction to the Angel Gabriel was: “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” She realized that her life was irrevocably changed forever. She had to “die” to her old way of thinking in Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Sometimes it’s hard to understand what Jesus is talking about. For example, does he really mean that a Christian is supposed to “hate “ his life in the world? Scholars explain that Jesus is using this vivid language to make an important point. He is talking about letting Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org We all know that Jesus is good to us, but sometimes we don’t seem to believe it. This is especially true when we face suffering, trials, challenges, and tests. God is someone who does the right thing for us, but sometimes it hurts. It seems at times that Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In our gospel today John 8: 1-11, the scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus that was caught in adultery, saying, “Now in the law, Moses commanded us to stone such a woman.” This has always been one of those Gospels that Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In John’s Gospel, the raising of Lazarus from the dead is a turning point for Jesus. In a sense, the Passion begins here. From now on, the theme of death as a source of life will dominate John’s Gospel. The great deed that Jesus did in raising Lazarus Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org The Gospel of John reminds me that God sent his only Son so that I might have eternal life. God’s own life within me we also call grace. This is God’s life within me here on earth and the fullness of life to come in heaven. Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In our gospel today Matthew 1: 18-21, Joseph learns that his betrothed Mary was “with child”, before they lived together. He did not yet know she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Even though he could have legally had her stoned to death, he didn’t. He wanted to Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org If I had to choose only one Gospel that would be the sole Scripture for me to use as a guide to nurture my faith, which one would I choose ? For me John’s Gospel would not be my first choice. While it has many wonderful stories about Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Happy St. Patrick’s Day ☘️. Who deserves credit for successes I may have achieved in my life? This question was hotly debated at the time of the Protestant Reformation. The reformers emphasized that it was all God’s work and we can do nothing on our own. The Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org John’s Gospel tells the story of a man who had been sitting at the Pool of Bethesda awaiting healing for 38 years. And I thought the wait in my doctor’s office was long ! According to ancient tradition this pool contained healing power when the water was Read more