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12/13/20 Today is “Rejoice in the Lord” Sunday, “Gaudate in Latin.  For the pessimists among us and those who are tired of lockdowns and masks, there is very little to be happy about. The original use of this phrase from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians was a welcome relief from the rigors of fastingContinue reading “III Advent”

“Be watchful!  Be alert!”  Scripture scholars believe that Mark wrote the first Gospel in the late 60’s of the First Century, sometime before the Romans destroyed the City of Jerusalem.  They were tired of the hometown terrorists trying to force them to leave their occupation. Throughout the Gospels, we hear Jesus exhorting all of hisContinue reading “November 29, 2020: Advent I“

What kind of a reputation would you like to have at the end of your life?  One who pushed his way through life?  Or one who was grateful and served his way through life?  The answer to either one will also determine where we find ourselves at the end of life. We are or willContinue reading “November 15, 2020: XXXIII Sunday “

November 1, 2020 It was not until the mid 9th century, that European Catholics began to celebrate the feast of all the Saints.  After almost a thousand years, there were too many good people to name and to remember.  Simply, there were not enough days in the year.  Soon after, there sprang up today’s commemoration. Continue reading “All Saint’s Day”

(Below are some of Father Mangini’s reflections, which he posts in the spirit of encouraging sharing and discussion in the comments at the end of the page.) As I turn 80 years old, I wonder first of all how I got to 80.  From time to time over the years, as I attended someone else’sContinue reading “As I Turn Eighty…“

What crime did our patron saint, Ignatius of Antioch commit to anger the Roman Emperor who lived 800 miles away in the year circa 100? He talked about Jesus as the Son of God that implied that the Emperor was not God.  St. Ignatius was guilty of sedition — of trying to undermine and unseatContinue reading “XXIX Sunday: October 18, 2020”

Today, statues of St. Francis of Assisi appear in our gardens, sometimes with small water bowls inviting birds to drink or perhaps a bird sitting on his shoulder.  Today is his feast day. St. Francis was blessed personally with a vision, with an insight and with an understanding about all of creation and how itContinue reading “XXVII Sun Ordinary Time: October 4, 2020“

Let’s go back to our childhood catechism classes.  What are the 7 capital sins? List: Pride, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Anger, Envy Today’s gospel talks about Envy, a deep sadness that we experience when we want to be or to have what someone else is or has (seemingly)…  The possessions, the happiness, talents or abilitiesContinue reading “September 20, 2020: 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time“

What is this binding and loosing all about? Today’s gospel passage as well as the entire Chapter 18 of Matthew’s gospel is about a new community of Jesus’ followers, in mid to late first century trying to establish some rules for good order and for reconciliation among themselves. We’re not talking about a 21st centuryContinue reading “23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time: September 6, 2020”