BLOG: Deacon-structing,Synods
Last time we saw why Jesus used bread and why He referred to himself as the “bread of life.” In John chapter 6, in what is known as the “Bread of Life Discourse”, Jesus pretty much lays it all out. It was a hard teaching, because at the end of the chapter, John tells us ...read more
Last time we saw how the Eucharist is rooted in the Jewish celebration of Passover. Christ is the new Passover Lamb that was sacrificed in atonement for our sins. We also looked at how the Eucharist is not just a Sacrament in that it makes Christ present, but in the Eucharist, Christ is truly present. ...read more
We have begun the Easter Season and what a better time to explore the meaning of the source and summit of our Christian life: The Eucharist. We’ve just come out of a time of repentance and conversion and have gone through Holy Week and the Easter Triduum and that’s a good lead into speaking about ...read more
This whole week, beginning today, we will be listening to post-resurrection narratives from the Gospels (and from the Book of Acts). We'll hear about Mary Magdalene and the other women running to tell the disciples. We'll hear about a gardener who turns out to be Jesus. We'll also hear about two disciples whose hearts were burning within them as they walked along the road with a stranger. We are going to hear about how the disciples were scared, troubled and confused. ...read more
Here is the final document from the Pre-synod of Bishop 2018. These reflections were borne out of the meeting of more than 300 young representatives from around the world, convened in Rome March 19-24 ...read more
Emilie Callan, one of your Canadian delegates at the pre-synodal meeting, talks about her first day in Rome with 300 other youths from around the world. “Young people never won the Nobel prize for being cautious!” It’s not unusual to hear memorable nuggets such as this one come from the mouth of Pope Francis. He ...read more
Read Deacon Pedro's reflection on the meaning of Martyrdom. ...read more
A reflection for the 4th Sunday, Lent, Year B. The readings are 2 Chronicles 36:14-17a, 19-23; Psalm: 137, Ephesians 2:4-10 and John 3:14-21. Picture it: Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a religious leader; perhaps a member of the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin. It’s the Feast of Passover and Jesus is in Jerusalem. All eyes are on Him. Nicodemus is ...read more
If you’re Catholic you do it all the time. If you’re not Catholic, you probably have noticed us making this sign: right hand to our forehead, then down to our chest, then over to the left shoulder and ending with the right shoulder as we say the words: “In the name of the Father, the ...read more
Recently, I had some Jehova’s Witnesses come to my door. I am usually nice and gracious to them. They read a passage of scripture to me (they are so courageous), something I think we should all do (read scripture, that is) and left two issues of their publication, The Watchtower, with me. One of the ...read more