Reflecting on the Pre-Lent Season Father Pothin’s Reflection for Sunday, February 12, 2017 This is the season of Pre-Lent. People often don’t look forward to Lent. Childhood memories of giving up candy or sitting through weekly Stations of the Cross come immediately to mind. Words like “sacrifice,” “discipline,” and “self-denial” are often used in ways that suggest Read more …
Reflections
Sometimes God Says “Not Yet”
“Not Yet” Sometimes God Demands Patience Father Pothin’s Reflection for Sunday, February 5, 2017 Last Wednesday at the mass of the purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we heard that Simeon was a holy waiter; he lived waiting to see the consolation of his people Israel. Today’s parable of the Wheat and the Weeds, or Tares, Read more …
Lord I Am Not Worthy
Lord, I am not worthy . . . . Reflection of Father Pothin for Sunday, January 29, 2017 Lord, I am not worthy. We say these words at every mass, but what they mean? This prayer comes after the words of the priest, “Behold the Lamb of God, and behold Him who takes away the Read more …
Amid The Darkness
Amid the Darkness, Hold Fast to the Light of Hope Father Pothin’s Reflection for Christmas Day 2016 Christian hope is not the same as being optimistic about the future, but it is knowing that whatever dark or frightening things are going on in one’s life, God is there offering protection and light. Especially during Advent Read more …
Father Pothin’s Christmas 2016 Message
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year My Christmas 2016 message for the congregation of St. Michael’s “Truth has sprung out of the earth” (Ps 85:11). Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your families! I express my Christmas greetings and New Year wishes in these words taken from Psalm 85: “Truth Read more …
God With Us
God with Us Father Pothin’s Reflection for December 18, 2016 Sunday’s liturgy is about God with us, Emmanuel. We have arrived at the moment of the celebration of God’s presence within the human family. The Emmanuel of Advent-Christmas, the God who is with us, witnesses our social life from within the community, so that God Read more …
End of Ages: The Day Will Come
End of Ages: The Day Will Come Father Pothin’s Reflection for Advent II — 2016 Jesus saw terrible times ahead – a day coming when not one stone of our human temple will rest on another. An End of Ages. He warned of signs: Devastation, Ruin, Emptiness, Wars, Trials and Persecutions. The prophet Malachi foresaw Read more …
Rose Sunday
Rose Sunday? Father Pothin’s Reflection for December 11, 2016 “Gaudete” Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent in the calendar of the church year. The term is derived from the Latin opening words of the introit antiphon, “Rejoice (Gaudete) in the Lord always.” This Sunday is also called Rose Sunday, because it represents a lightening Read more …
Advent: A Journey towards the Horizon of Hope
Advent A journey towards the horizon of hope Advent is a journey towards the horizon of hope. For us humans, it is necessary to always renew the common horizon toward which we are journeying. The horizon of hope! It is the Lord himself who guides our journey, the pilgrimage of all People of God; Read more …
I Will Make Your Nation Great Again
“I will make your nation great again” (Jer.23, 1-8) I will make you a great nation again. That is the promise of God to Israel. The book of Jeremiah, the passage we read this Sunday, contains a diverse collection of prose and poetry directed at the kings who reign after King Josiah. The prophet is Read more …
