Posts by Paul Verderber
Healing Touch
No, today’s reflection is not advertising for a chiropractic office, or a new age medical spa. In today’s Gospel, I will focus on the healing touch of Jesus, and others, and the miraculous outcomes achieved. Today’s Gospel speaks of Jesus bringing the daughter of the official back to life. This is perhaps the most extreme…
Read MoreJust the Highlights
Jesus had done many things, the Apostles had done many things, the Holy Spirit had done many things, and people were amazed. Today we read of Paul being in chains for 2 years, under house arrest by Caesar, yet he continues preaching the Good News. As we read the Bible, and hear it read to…
Read MoreDominoes
Today we remember Saint Matthias, the 13th Apostle, the 13th Bishop, or the first replacement to the original twelve. After Judas killed himself after betraying Jesus, the remaining eleven apostles needed to rebuild the group to the original 12. The 11 Bishops met, prayed, and the Holy Spirit guided them to pick Matthias. This tradition…
Read MoreMartyrs of Yesterday and Today
The first reading today talks about the persecution of the early Catholic Church in Jerusalem. Christians are being scattered, as groups of angry Jews storm into houses, and forcibly evict men, women, and children. Stephen, the first Deacon, and perhaps the first martyr, is dead and recently buried. Saul, who approved of the stoning of…
Read MoreOut of the Dark
I am generally a happy person, an optimist, and see the good in most things. My disposition does not negate the fact that darkness and depression are around us. This past weekend, our parish had a Confirmation retreat for our sixty second year confirmation students, who will be confirmed by the Bishop in mid-May. The…
Read MoreLike the Fig Tree
As Lent rolls on, I pray that your plans for additional prayer, fasting and almsgiving are holding together. Opportunities to practice those three activities seem to arise rapidly these days. Even if we have fallen flat, or back tracked, when we should be moving forward, all is not lost. The fig tree in today’s Gospel…
Read MoreJust Do Something
We had a visiting priest at St. Eugene last weekend, and his emphasis was for all of us to “just do something” when we left Mass. The concept of an abundant harvest with not enough laborers must have been on his heart and mind. He wanted us to volunteer in any way possible because we…
Read MoreSaint Valentine Gave More Than a Card
I am a volunteer Religious Education teacher at our parish. This year, I have the privilege of teaching 22 kids who are in the second year of a two-year Confirmation program, with the sacrament happening in mid-May. We meet every Sunday for 90 minutes. The Director of Religious Education has us follow a workbook, and…
Read MoreLike a Bad Soap Opera
Before I offer my reflection on the Gospel today, I wanted to share my thoughts on the prelude to the Gospel. It says, “Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance.” Most of us have had a very “interesting” last two years. Even people who…
Read MoreBite Sized Pieces
Today we celebrate the Memorial of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first American born saint. She was born at the time of the United States’ founding, into a wealthy, non-Catholic family. She was beset by tragedies and challenges but was able to find herself as a Catholic amidst the obstacles of her life. Her husband and…
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