The Deacon's Bench
Some resources: The Way of the Cross with Pope Francis for this year The Way of the Cross with Pope Francis from 2014 Forgiveness and Mercy: A reflection on The Seven Last Words Homily for April 3, 2015: Good Friday Read more
Some resources: The Way of the Cross with Pope Francis for this year The Way of the Cross with Pope Francis from 2014 Forgiveness and Mercy: A reflection on The Seven Last Words Homily for April 3, 2015: Good Friday Read more
A few scenes from my parish tonight, from before and after our stunning Mass of the Lord’s Supper. Read more
When I was a child, I’d hear this account of Christ’s Passion and I’d keep hoping it would have another ending. I hoped that the soldiers would turn back…or Pilate would change his mind…or the people would cry out for Jesus to be the one freed instead of Barabbas. What happens is so heart-wrenching and heartbreaking—you just don’t want to imagine that this is the way it happened. There has to be another ending. But there isn’t. It is inevitable.... Read more
From CNS: In a moving ceremony that recalled how Jesus loved the world so deeply that he lowered himself to serve and died for everyone’s sins, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 prison inmates, plus a small toddler who lives with his incarcerated mother. “Jesus loved us, Jesus loves us, but without any limits, always, all the way to the end,” he said during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper April 2. “He does not tire of... Read more
Friday night, my parish will have a performance of Thomas Dubois’ oratorio, “The Seven Last Words.” I’m preaching a reflection on it, below. +++ Without question, it is the most infamous public execution of all time. No death has been more depicted in art, in drama, in literature and, as we’ve just heard, in music. On top of this, the one being put to death is the most quoted, cited, studied, revered person in human history—a solitary figure who literally... Read more
Friday night, my parish will have a performance of Thomas Dubois’ oratorio, “The Seven Last Words.” I’m preaching a reflection on it, below. +++ Without question, it is the most infamous public execution of all time. No death has been more depicted in art, in drama, in literature and, as we’ve just heard, in music. On top of this, the one being put to death is the most quoted, cited, studied, revered person in human history—a solitary figure who literally changed... Read more
From CNS: In a moving ceremony that recalled how Jesus loved the world so deeply that he lowered himself to serve and died for everyone’s sins, Pope Francis washed the feet of 12 prison inmates, plus a small toddler who lives with his incarcerated mother.“Jesus loved us, Jesus loves us, but without any limits, always, all the way to the end,” he said during the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper April 2.“He does not tire of loving anyone,... Read more
From The Los Angeles Times: The Rev. Robert H. Schuller, who built the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove as the embodiment of an upbeat, modern vision of Christianity, only to see his ministry shattered by family discord and financial ruin, has died. He was 88. Schuller, who was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in 2013, died Thursday morning at a skilled nursing facility in Artesia, his daughter Carol Milner said. After a working life of great success and influence, Schuller was... Read more
When you need a hot story, just create one. Check this out, from The Daily Caller: There were no complaints nor denials of service to anyone ever, but because of their religious beliefs, Memories Pizza stands in ruin and the family who owns it has had their lives threatened countless times. How did the O’Connor family, owners of Memories, find themselves in this situation? They were honest with a reporter in search of a story to fit the media’s narrative. Alyssa... Read more
Check out how they did it at St. John Cantius Church in Chicago. Doesn’t every parish wish it were this easy and fast? Read more
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