Browsing Fr. Reggie's Reflections
THE VINE AND THE BRANCHES
Posted by John Sage on 4/29/18
This is a beautiful and evocative Gospel. The message is about Jesus as the VINE and we, as his BRANCHES. This is one of my favorite gospels: John 15: 1-8. As in previous times, I read this passage, I always marveled at words of ten repeated. May be this ... Read More »
PRAYING FOR VOCATIONS
Posted by John Sage on 4/21/18
This Good Shepherd Sunday is a worldwide prayer day for vocations to the priesthood and religious life (nuns and brothers). There is such a crying need for good priests and religious that the Pope has set aside this Fourth Sunday as a world day of prayer. All Catholics, especially ... Read More »
SEEING A GHOST
Posted by John Sage on 4/14/18
A janitor in an office claims one night that he saw a chair being lifted from the floor and placed on the top of the table. Puzzled by what he saw, he returned the chair in its original position – only to see it moved again. Still skeptical, he ... Read More »
THE ONLY WAY
Posted by John Sage on 4/07/18
Let us begin our reflection by asking a simple question. Why did Jesus tell Thomas to put his finger into the wounds in his hands, and to put his hand into his side? Would it not be sufficient for Thomas just to see Jesus? No, I don’t think it ... Read More »
EASTER IS A TRUE - TO - LIFE STORY
Posted by John Sage on 3/31/18
We are celebrating the most joyous of Christian festivals. After the drama of Holy Week, we are now fully engulfed by the Easter spirit, the Easter mystery. But what precisely is Easter? EASTER is not mere doctrine of the Church about the Lord Jesus Christ. Nor is it just ... Read More »
THE START OF THE HOLY WEEK
Posted by John Sage on 3/23/18
Palm or Passion Sunday commemorates our Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem, the place of his passion and death, but also of his resurrection. Jesus loves the city very much; Jerusalem will put Him to death. As He enters the city on a donkey, the crowd greets and welcomes him as ... Read More »
THE MYSTERY OF FRUITFULNESS
Posted by John Sage on 3/19/18
The Gospel for this Sunday gives us an opportunity to reflect on the reality of fruitfulness. Unless the grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat. But if it dies, then it bears much fruit. What do these enigmatic words mean ... Read More »
THE HOUND OF HEAVEN
Posted by John Sage on 3/10/18
One of the best known religious poems in the English Language is the “The Hound of Heaven.” It was written by Francis Thompson, who tried to run away from God. He compares God to a hound, yes, a hound dog chasing a soul. It is the story of Thompson’s ... Read More »
“ HOLY ANGER ”
Posted by John Sage on 3/03/18
Today’s Gospel gives a rare peek into a rare but a very human emotion of our Lord Jesus Christ – “Holy Anger”. Surrounded by difficult and problematic people, Jesus never showed anger. He was not angry with the adulterous woman nor with the Pharisees who continuously hounded him. Even ... Read More »
REMEMBERING WHAT MAKES STRONG
Posted by John Sage on 2/24/18
The TRANSFIGURATION---what a showcase! Jesus was at the center stage of everything – resplendent, glorious and pure. Then appeared as supporting actors Moses and Elijah – long dead, but transported back to life to give witness to the greatness of Jesus. Moses was Israel’s lawgiver, but here is the ... Read More »