Posts Tagged ‘Blog: Fr. Mike’s Musings’

Sunday, July 2, 2023 Taking some inspiration from Saint Augustine, I declare that for you I will be a pastor but with you I am a Christian. The former is a duty, the latter a grace.  I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Orange in the jubilee year 2000.  The first seventeen years…

Sunday, June 25, 2023 READINGS: JER 20:10-13; PS 69:8-10, 14, 17, 33-35; ROM 5:12-15; MT 10:26-33 The readings this Sunday call us to tackle the challenging issues of fear and trust — two concepts that must be confronted and dealt with by all of us who wish to live as Catholic Christians. The Lord knows…

Sunday, June 18, 2023 READINGS: Ex 19:2-6a; Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5; Rom 5:6-11; Mk 1:15; Mt 9:36-10:8 The readings for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time provide us with profound insights into the essential aspects for living our life on our Christian journey. In the first reading from Exodus, we witness the encounter between God…

Sunday, June 11, 2023 READINGS: DT 8:2-3,14B-16A; PS 147:12-15,19-20; 1 COR 10:16-17; JN 6:51-58 Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. Our readings are focused on the gifts of the Word of God and the Eucharist. This feast has deep significance to us as Catholic Christians. Why? Because we recognize…

Sunday, June 4, 2023 READINGS: EX 34:4B-6, 8-9; DN 3:52-56; 2 COR 13:11-13; JN 3:16-18 This weekend we celebrate the feast of the Most Holy Trinity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that the Holy Trinity is the “central mystery of the Christian faith” (261). The concept of the Triune God — Three…

Sunday, May 28, 2023 READINGS: ACTS 2: 1-11; PS 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34; 1 COR 12:3b-7, 12-13, JN 20:19-23 Throughout our readings this weekend, we see the amazing truth that the Holy Spirit gives us gifts and guidance in a very personal way. We are meant to use these gifts to build up the…

Sunday, May 21, 2023 READINGS: ACTS 1: 1-11; PS 47:2-3, 6-9; EPH 1:17-23; MT 28:16-20 Today, we celebrate the great feast of the Ascension of our Lord.  Wasn’t this feast formerly celebrated on a Thursday?  Yes, that is true – however, the bishops of this region decided to move the feast to the nearest Sunday…

Sunday, May 14, 2023 READINGS: ACTS 8:5-8;14-17; PS 66:1-7, 16, 20; 1 PT 3:15-18; JN 14:15-21 The readings on the sixth Sunday of Easter remind us that God must come first and foremost in our lives, and that love of God shows itself in concrete actions — this is precisely why our Catholic faith and…

Sunday, May 7, 2023 READINGS: ACTS 6:1-7; PS 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19; 1 PT 2:4-9; JN 14:1-12 The readings on this fifth Sunday of Easter present us with themes of dwelling places and home. As Catholics, we are aware that this world is not our permanent home. We are merely pilgrims here, on a journey making…

Sunday, April 30, 2023 READINGS: ACTS 2:14A, 36-41; PS 23:1-3A, 3B4-6; 1 PT 2:20B-25; JN 10:1-10 The readings on the Fourth Sunday of Easter offer a glimpse into the heart of Jesus Christ, our loving Savior. He is the Good Shepherd, and we can confidently place our trust in Him as we live our Christian…