Today’s readings (3/27/13), contrast two “people”. In the reading from Isaiah we hear of the Suffering Servant. Ultimately this prophecy finds fulfillment in Jesus but we can all fulfill in some way as Christian disciples seeking to God’s Will. In the gospel reading, we hear how Judas Iscariot goes to the chief priests and ask [...]
Archive of posts filed under the Sacraments category.
People Want to Be Forgiven
Over the past few weeks, I have spoken in homilies and during the announcements about the Sacrament of Reconciliation (confession) and opportunities for people to confess their sins. With some assistance from our parish Evangelization Team, I created two videos and some handouts on this sacrament (available at http://renewaloffaith.org/ls/reconciliation.htm). It is also the season of Lent [...]
The Role of Godparent
Recently, the question of who can be a godparent has come to me. Many see it is as an honor to be chosen to be a godparent. It is an honor but it also comes with responsibility. To see it only as an honor could be pride. The glossary of the Catechism of the Catholic [...]
Confession or Spiritual Direction
As Catholics we should be familiar with the Sacrament of Reconciliation (Confession). Less known, there is also Spiritual Direction. The two can have a lot of overlap. The Sacrament of Reconciliation focuses on our sins but can include some conversation that helps us to think about our sins and what we need to do to change [...]
RCIA
Soon we will celebrate Easter. At the Easter Vigil many people across the world will be baptized and/or received into the Catholic Church. As that draws closer we are seeing more rites for these people at Sunday Mass. Lent begins for these people with the Rites of Sending and Election (Call to Continuing Worship). For those [...]
The Gift of the Sacrament of Reconciliation
Many of you may have seen my presentation recorded in January on the story of my faith journey. One small part in that presentation was a mention of the first time I went to the Sacrament of Reconciliation after my return to church. From that there were a couple of questions about how we confess [...]
Receiving the Eucharist
The topic of who can receive Communion in the Catholic Church has come up a couple of times in recent weeks. It probably began about the time we had the “divorce readings” on Sunday. The topic of divorce and receiving Communion is often misunderstood. Divorce itself does not prohibit one from receiving Communion. For instance, [...]
Confirmation
We have six parishioners who are preparing to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation along with others from our region on October 23rd. Here at Immaculate Conception I help lead the preparation sessions so I have been thinking about this sacrament and would like to offer some thoughts on it. Confirmation is one of the three [...]
Here is the homily I gave today. Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood, Year B Exodus 24:3-8 Hebrews 9:11-15 Mark 14:12-16, 22-26 June 10, 2012 While in the desert, the Israelites received the Law from God through Moses. Today Moses repeats the “words and ordinances” that make up the law to the people [...]
Do You Let Jesus Forgive You?
Here is my homily for today. 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B Isaiah 43:18-19, 21-22, 24b-25 2 Corinthians 1:18-22 Mark 2:1-12 February 19, 2012 Isaiah is speaking in the first reading to the people who have been held in exile for 50 years in Babylon. Israel had once a great nation. It was God [...]