From the heart of Deacon Doug.
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org The rich man in today’s gospel lived in isolated luxury, absorbed in the latest in fashion and the finest dining. He did not hurt anyone. He did not throw Lazarus off his property. He let him hang around his place. He didn’t criticize Lazarus for not getting a Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org What mother does not want the best for her sons. Today the mother of James and John ask Jesus for special status for her sons. She asks that they be placed in the highest position of status and power seated at Jesus left side and right Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Who doesn’t want the praise and respect of others. We want people to see us at our best with all of our strengths and accomplishments, rather than with all of our faults and shortcomings. Yet God sees us as we truly are, sinners who are always in Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In today’s Gospel, Luke 6: 36-38, Jesus tells us to “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven”. He is telling us we Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Mark today says that Jesus was transfigured before them. The Greek word Mark used is similar to the English word metamorphosis. As described by Mark, the Transfiguration is a change in Jesus’ appearance where the brightness and beauty of the spiritual reality of Jesus came to the Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Jesus said it’s not good enough to love your neighbors and hate your enemies. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Who were the people standing before Jesus when he spoke these words? Were they all criminals? Were they godless Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In today’s Gospel, Matthew 5:20-26, Jesus is pointing out to the crowds that they must be better than the scribes and Pharisees who are living by the letter of the law, but not by the spirit of the law. He says not only if you Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Queen Esther was about to risk her life to plead to the king for her people, the Jews. Alone inside the palace she had no one to turn to for support except God. Esther knew God was with her in her loneliness. A few hours before Jesus Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org You have all heard the saying, “familiarity breeds contempt”. In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ contemporaries were in that situation regarding him. They had all seen his miracles, and his preaching was beyond exceptional. Yet some were not satisfied and wanted to see more signs. It’s all too easy Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Some people like to talk. Perhaps you know someone like that. They demand to be listened to, but they don’t have the same interest in listening. It has been said that you can’t truly listen unless you are used to silence. St. Teresa of Calcutta wrote that prayer Read more