From the heart of Deacon Doug.
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org The early passages from Mark Chapter One are kind of like “a day in the life of Jesus”. They are an attempt by Mark to characterize how Jesus lived and ministered. There is also a conflict between him and the disciples who think he should go immediately Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Today in Mark’s gospel, Jesus enters the synagogue in Capernaum. This story is the first time we hear Jesus preach, according to Mark. Now the scribes mentioned were good people who devoted their lives to learning the law. They memorized it, they taught it, and the people listened Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In our gospel today, Mark 1:14-20, Jesus is walking along the Sea of Galilee where he sees Simon Peter, Andrew, James and John, and he calls them to “come after me, and I will make you fishers of men”. They all immediately left everything behind to Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org Today we end the Christmas season with the Baptism of the Lord. We know Jesus was not baptized because of any sin, but rather to show us what to do and to bless the baptismal waters for all of us. I have been at the site of Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org We don’t know what happened to the Magi after they left the infant Jesus, but their journey certainly didn’t end there. Encountering Jesus was for them a major turning point in their lives. I like to think that this was their Cursillo weekend. They didn’t know what Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In today’s Gospel, Luke 5:12-16, 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 “Epiphany” is a Greek word that means “to show forth or manifest”. It celebrates the showing forth of Jesus not simply to Israel, but to the whole world as symbolized by these visitors from the east. The predominant meaning of this feast is that Jesus welcomes everyone. Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org We know from the scriptures that as the Magi neared their personal meeting with the Lord, they lost sight of the star. As a result they had to seek help from King Herod. Like the Magi, I may lose the “star” at different times in my life Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In the Epiphany story, Jesus is adored by Gentiles (the Magi) and they give homage to him. At the same time, he faces death from the leader of his own people, Herod, king of the Jews. Throughout Christ’s life from his birth to his death and Read more
Orange County Cursillo | communications@occursillo.org | occursillo.org In our Gospel today from Luke 10:38-42, we hear the story of Martha and Mary when Jesus came to visit them. Martha was burdened with much serving because she thought the most important thing she could do was to prepare a wonderful meal for Jesus. The problem was, Read more