2-11-24 - 6th Sunday OT B - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 2/06/24

6th Sunday  in Ordinary Time- Fr. Leo

Our first reading from Leviticus and our gospel from Mark, deal with leprosy.  Leviticus demands from the sick person honesty in being identified as a person with Leprosy.  The honesty of the ill person leads to his expulsion from the community.  Isolated and alone he ... Read More »

2-04-24 - 5th Sunday OT - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/30/24

5th Sunday  in Ordinary Time- Fr. Leo

After a long day of preaching and healing those in need spiritually and physically, Jesus goes off to a deserted place.  When his disciples find him, they say everyone is looking for him.  The need for Jesus’ healing is never ending.  

What is interesting, ... Read More »

1-28-24 - 4th Sunday OT - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/23/24

4th Sunday  in Ordinary Time- Fr. Leo

The thought of exorcisms makes me anxious.  So there may be a temptation to explain away the dramatic healing of the man with an unclean spirit to today’s Gospel.  Jesus cast the veil on him out of the man causing a violent physical reaction ... Read More »

1-21-24 - 3rd Sunday OT B - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/16/24

3rd Sunday  in Ordinary Time- Fr. Leo

“Repent and believe in the Gospel.”

This phrase sums up our scriptures today.  It is an age old invitation to live in a right relationship with God, others, creation and ourselves.  It is not an invitation to a self-hating guilt trip.  It invites us to ... Read More »

1-14-24 - 2nd Sunday OT B - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/09/24

2nd Sunday  in Ordinary Time- Fr. Leo

Samuel is a novice of Eli, in training to become a prophet.  He places himself in Eli’s care as he seeks to know the Lord.  God spoke to him three times, but it wasn’t till the last time after Eli’s council, that he recognized ... Read More »

1-07-24 - Epiphany - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 1/09/24

Epiphany of the Lord - Fr. Leo

The infant Jesus and King Herod are the focus of today’s gospel.  In Christ, we have God made vulnerable to humanity, and in Herod, the expression of what is worst in human nature.  On one hand, we have Christ who died for others vs., ... Read More »

12-31-23 - Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/20/23

Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph - Fr. Leo

Simeon was a devout man and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  Taking the child Jesus in his arms, he recognizes who he was and his role in salvation history.  Anna too, a woman of God, recognized Jesus as the Messiah. ... Read More »

12-24-23 - 4th Advent - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/13/23

4th Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo

Nothing is impossible for God.  This is the message of our gospel today.  It seems a simple straight forward maxim.  God can do the impossible.  Yet to embrace this truth, requires faith.  Without faith God’s omnipotence is simply a thought, but not an experience of something we ... Read More »

12-17-23 - 3rd Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/12/23

Third Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo

Priest, Levites, and Pharisees went to question John the Baptist to find out who he was and what he was about. This tells us two things. First, John’s ministry was having an impact.  Enough people were seeking him out that it caused the ... Read More »

12-10-23 - 2nd Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo Schneider

Posted by Jennifer Stephan on 12/04/23

Second Sunday of Advent - Fr. Leo

 “I have baptized you with water; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

In the last sentence of today’s gospel, we see two aspects of the path to holiness.

First, is the baptism with water.  This John does as a human, ... Read More »