Beloved: Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope. (1 Pet. 3:15) Our Director of Religious Education, Phillip Bellini, has been running a series of articles in the bulletin on “Apologetics.” Since the word has the same origin as our word “apology,” often time people think that the word means to “say you're sorry.” That's not the case, but the origins of the words are similar. Both “apology” and “apologetics” come from the Greek word “απολογια” or apologia , but the original meaning of the word has changed in our current use of the word “apology.” In the Classical Greek legal system two key technical terms were employed: the prosecution delivered the “kategoria” which was like … [Read more...]
Archives for May 2011
From the Pastor – May 15, 2011
Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” (Jn 10:1-3) This week is the Fourth Sunday in Easter, and it is traditionally known as “Good Shepherd Sunday” because of the Gospel reading today in which Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd. We're all familiar with the images: Jesus standing, staff in hand, with the lamb across his shoulders. We have a beautiful stained-glass image of this in the stairway leading up to the choir loft. In fact, it's the screensaver on my phone! Or perhaps we … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – May 8, 2011
As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” (Lk 24:28-31a) On June 10, 2004 while celebrating the Mass of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ at the Basilica of St. John Lateran, Blessed John Paul II announced that the year from October 2004–2005 would be a special “Year of the Eucharist.” Four months later, on October 7, 2004, the Holy Father issued the Apostolic Letter, Mane Nobiscum Domine, declaring the … [Read more...]
From the Pastor – May 1, 2011
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.” (Jn 20:19-21a) How do we define peace? Politically, it can defined as an “absence of conflict.” If we are busy at work, it might mean “no interruptions.” Some parents might equate peace with their kids being asleep or at their grandparents for the night. Peace happens to some people when their cell phone finally runs out of batteries or when a power outage knocks out the internet and the television. Oftentimes we actually “seek” peace … [Read more...]
