Browsing the 2020 archive of Pastor's Column
March 15, 2020
Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 3/09/20
3rd Sunday of Lent - Fr. Leo
As Jesus sits tired next to Jacob’s well, and his disciples go off and leave him alone, a Samaritan woman comes to draw water. Jesus knows this woman’s personal history and her unfaithfulness to the cultic laws of her faith. Notice that ... Read More »
March 8, 2020
Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 3/09/20
2nd Sunday of Lent - Fr. Leo
Central to our faith, is the Paschal Mystery of Christ. This mystery embraces the Christ’s death and resurrection. Resurrection can not be separated from death, and both form the underlying rhythm of our life in Christ.
We see this rhythm in the ... Read More »
March 1, 2020
Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 2/28/20
1st Sunday of Lent - Fr. Leo
Jesus is lead by the Spirit into the desert where he fasted and prayed for forty days. Being hungry in many ways, he became vulnerable and was tempted to be other than who God calls him to be.
First, the devil says: ... Read More »
February 23, 2020
Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 2/19/20
Filling In For Father… by Erin O’Leary
“Be holy.” “Be perfect.” Today’s readings give us a clear and challenging direction for how we are to live. How do we carry this out? The readings tell us- We love God and love others and pray for others- even our enemies. ... Read More »
February 16, 2020
Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 2/19/20
Filling In For Father… by Erin O’Leary
Today’s readings are all about wisdom and “laws.” What does it mean to live up to the “immense” wisdom of God? God gives us freedom to choose our path in life, but how do we make sure we are on the right ... Read More »
February 9, 2020
Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 2/05/20
5th Sunday of Ordinary Time - Fr. Leo
“Just so, your light must shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your heavenly Father.” (MT 5:16)
Jesus, on a very positive note, affirms that we are the light of the world. Through us the Holy ... Read More »
February 2, 2020
Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/28/20
Presentation of the Lord - Fr. Leo
Mosaic tradition called for the first born male to be dedicated to God. Fulfilling their religious practice Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the temple to be blessed. They bring, not a sheep-the offering of the rich, but two birds. One offered ... Read More »
January 26, 2020
Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/21/20
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Fr. Leo
As the days get longer this time of year, it is fitting we ponder the great image of “the light,” in our scriptures today. From the prophet Isaiah we hear these words:
“The people who walked in darkness
have seen a ... Read More »
January 12, 2020
Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/14/20
Baptism of the Lord - Fr. Leo
We hear of Jesus’ manifestation as the Son of God in Matthew’s gospel. God’s voice came from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” From the Acts of the Apostles we hear that, “He went about ... Read More »
January 19, 2020
Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/14/20
2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time - Fr. Leo
There was a sentence that caught my attention while I was reading the “Parochial and Plain Sermons,” of St. John Newman. He wrote, “ For us Christ died; on us the Spirit has descended.” While this is what our creed confesses, ... Read More »