Posts by Fr. Rich (Page 13)

Today’s celebration of Easter is one of great joy, happiness and peace. Jesus is Risen! He has come back to life. My prayer and greeting for you is that you share in His joy and peace. As Jesus came back to life, we come to experience new life – refreshed in spirit, forgiven of our sins, and a new beginning. May the peace of Christ be yours today as you gather with family. May the love of Christ strengthen your…

Today we begin the holiest week of the Church year, a vivid reminder of all that Jesus endured out of His love for us. Don’t let Holy Week be just another seven days of routine. Make it a time different from other days. Reflect on Jesus’ Way of the Cross as He suffered and died for our sins. Put aside Holy Thursday and spend it in prayer with Jesus as He prepares for His Crucifixion. Read the Passion again and…

What does “forgiveness” feel like? At some time in our life, we have sought and been forgiven of a wrong we have committed. What did that experience mean to you? Can you put it in the frame of today’s Gospel? This woman is dragged in front of Jesus and surrounded by all these accusers. I’m sure a very scary moment! But Jesus diffuses the moment by simply reminding them that we are all sinners and therefore not to judge or…

It’s Laetare Sunday or Rejoice Sunday. What do we have to rejoice about. Maybe a gift received, or a favor done, or a compliment paid. These are all nice and for awhile will bring a sense of happiness. But if you want to rejoice in receiving something, it needs to be more. Maybe today’s Gospel shows us that when the younger son left home, spent his inheritance, and now comes back seeking help. The Father (God) holds no grudges, no…

Today’s Gospel tells of the unproductive fig tree which the owner wants to cut down and get rid of. That fig tree can represent for us people in our lives who don’t meet up to our personal standards and so we cut them out of our lives. In the Gospel, the gardener asks for a reprieve again for the tree and promises to bring it back to life. That is Jesus in our lives. He constantly gives us reprieves, forgiveness,…

In today’s Gospel about the Transfiguration, we see Jesus in a dazzling brightness and the appearance of Moses and Elijah. Peter, James and John are so moved, excited and exhilarated, that they want to stay and build booths for all. In the greatness and joy of the moment, they forgot why they were called as Apostles. They forgot about the others and the people they were being called to serve. We are like that at times. A nice thing happens…

We are faced with temptations every day. This week’s Gospel tells us about the temptations Jesus faced in the desert while He was preparing to face crucifixion. Change a rock into bread. Enjoy. Nobody will know. Or maybe change the price tag, don’t worry about the excess change you received, or the item missed in your shopping cart. Enjoy the freebie, nobody will know. Throw yourself off the parapet of the temple. Your heavenly Father will protect and save you.…

Each of us need a spiritual uplift in our lives periodically. It’s so easy to get down on ourselves due to various events and circumstances in our lives. Lent, which begins this Wednesday, can be that spiritual uplift in our lives. It may seem odd to call a time of sacrifice and fasting as a spiritual uplifting, but doing without some things and after doing some extra spiritual activities, we recognize how much good is in our lives. That good…

I just wanted to say a very special Thank You for all your birthday wishes, gifts and cards as I celebrated my seventieth birthday. Your thoughtfulness and kindness made it a very special day despite the physical difficulties I am experiencing. God Bless You!

Is it possible to live the teachings of Jesus we read in today’s Gospel? Jesus really went for it with his Sermon on the Plain – – love the people who are hardest to love, pray for people you don’t like, give things away, don’t ask for them back, let people take things, don’t ask for them back, let people strike you, don’t strike back, don’t judge, don’t condemn, be kind, forgive and do it all without expecting anything in…

SEASON OF LENT begins in less than three weeks. It’s like a forty day spiritual retreat. Jesus spent this time in the desert preparing himself to face the cross. We need to plan to take this time to reinvigorate our spiritual lives through this season of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Start planning your schedules. Maybe attend an extra Mass during the week. Maybe putting aside some scheduled times for daily prayer. Maybe planning some family prayer time or even a…

Many have been asking about me: Is he okay? When will he be back? Well, it’s been a long ten weeks: good days, bad days, ups & downs. Two week long stints in the hospital and a lot of doctor visits and ambulance rides. I was planning to start back last Saturday, but a major set back changed that. Still pushing and trying to get back as soon as possible. I am working from the rectory and in touch with…