Earlier this week I was in Morristown New Jersey to speak to a group of Catholic business leaders. Present at the meeting was Fr Benedict Groeschel and his assistant–Brother Simon. Fr. Groeschel is the founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and Br. Simon is one of the friars. It was beautiful to see dedicated business leaders who (one assumes) have considerable wealth and two Franciscans who have nothing at all. Smart suits next to patched habits. Shined shoes... Read more
School Mass today and the theme is forgiveness. So I tell a story about Jimmy and Sammy and Sammy complains that Jimmy is bullying him. It might help you. It might help your children or your CCD or your grandkids. Mr Magnanimous the kindly teacher asks Sammy if he wants to forgive Jimmy. “I guess so.” “But you don’t know how right?” “Right” “Have you ever heard that saying, ‘To know all is forgive all?'” “I think so.” “Well therefore... Read more
This blog is called Standing on My Head, so while everybody is pouting and posturing about the houses of Archbishops and Bishops I’m going to strike a topsy turvy perspective, yea a discordant note. I think the Pope should live in the Apostolic Palace and I think Archbishop Wilton should live in his brand new $2.2m home. I think Bishops should live in these grand homes–but they should do so like one of those impoverished English aristocrats who can’t afford... Read more
The Healing of a Boy with a Demon 14When they came to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and scribes arguing with them.15Immediately on seeing him, the whole crowd was utterly amazed. They ran up to him and greeted him.16He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?”17Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I have brought to you my son possessed by a mute spirit.18Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the... Read more
Thank you for continuing the Lent Bible study. Remember if you want to read previous entries you can use the ‘Categories’ tool in the right sidebar and choose “Blobble Study” He also said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see that the kingdom of God has come in power.” The Transfiguration of Jesus. 2After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up a... Read more
This Lent I’ve gone back to basics and not only read Mark’s gospel, but have posted a daily Bible study here on the blog. In reading the gospels again what strikes me is the radical, bare bones, rock solid, bottom line approach of Jesus. He is not cluttered up with lots of extraneous stuff. He does not get sidelined into politics. He does not get sidelined into petty religious squabbles. He does not get diverted into petty personal feuds. He... Read more
Today is the turning point in the gospel story. The ministry of Jesus transitions towards Jerusalem and his coming passion. The Blind Man of Bethsaida. 22When they arrived at Bethsaida, they brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him.23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes he laid his hands on him and asked, “Do you see anything?”24Looking up he replied, “I see people looking... Read more
The Feeding of Four Thousand. 1In those days when there again was a great crowd without anything to eat, he summoned the disciples and said,2“My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat.3If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way, and some of them have come a great distance.”4His disciples answered him, “Where can anyone get enough bread to... Read more
Welcome to the fourth week of Lent and we continue our journey through Mark’s gospel. I hope you are enjoying learning more about the Lord in this way and are getting a fresh vision of the person of Jesus Christ. Today’s passage follows a long section in which Jesus is in conflict with the scribes and Pharisees. Right after the two most astounding signs–the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus walking on the water the scribes and Pharisees lack of... Read more
After the astounding signs of the feeding of the 5,000 and walking on the water, Mark bounces us back to Jesus’ conflict with the Pharisees and Scribes. The contrast is remarkable. In chapter 6 Jesus shows through amazing signs and wonders who he really is and now the Scribes and Pharisees get all petty and start nit picking. Thank you for following the Bible study day by day during Lent. Remember there is no Blobble study during the weekend. ... Read more
Fr. Dwight Longenecker
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