Fr. Bob's Corner

Bishop Paul-André Durocher explains the mysterious term ‘Lectio Divina’ to a group of young people at a youth program held in our Diocese last summer. Pope Benedict, in speaking of Lectio Divina, said:

"I would like in particular to recall and recommend the ancient tradition of Lectio Divina: the diligent reading of Sacred Scripture accompanied by prayer brings about that intimate dialogue in which the person reading hears God who is speaking, and in praying, responds to him with trusting openness of heart (cf. Dei Verbum, n.25) If it is effectively promoted, this practice will bring to the Church – I am convinced of it – a new spiritual springtime."
- Pope Benedict XVI , September 2005

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Our Loving God has gone and done it again – massacred thousands of people this time in Japan. Wow! (Watch the Video at the end of this post. As it turns out, it is probably a spoof or satire, but many are happy with it, and preach-believe this vindictive nonsense. That’s why it was posted! Just Google terms like, “Earthquake Tsunami God Punishment,” and you will see what I mean. Even the major networks have commentators mischievously supporting this kind of vengeful thinking: Glenn Beck said on his radio show on Monday: “I’m not saying God is causing earthquakes – well I’m not not saying that either!" He continued, "There’s a message being sent. And that is, ‘Hey, you know that stuff we’re doing? Not really working out real well. Maybe we should stop doing some of it.’"

What was the cross and death of Jesus all about, Christians should ask themselves?  I encourage those that believe in this kind of vengeful Christian God to meditate on the Cross of Jesus this lent, and relive in a very personal way the mocking taunts at the foot of the Cross. Jesus you saved others, now come down from that cross and save your self.  Hopefully, they will include in their meditation Jesus’ command to Peter to replace the soldier’s ear and to put down his sword. I pray that millions of people this lent will personally experience deep in their hearts the forgiving heart of Jesus as revealed in his gasping last breaths: “Father forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”

Yes there is sin in every country, city, town, village, church, synagogue, mosque, office, factory, school…, home, and heart around the world, but the Christian God is not sitting on high getting ready to pounce with vengeance and destruction. (Remember the father of the prodigal son.) The Cross of Christ is about redemption, mercy, forgiveness, and love. God does not rejoice in human suffering, God weeps, as Jesus wept over Jerusalem. The Incarnation and the Cross are God’s loving answer to the reality and mystery of pain and suffering in this mortal world.

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I receive a monthly email from Sister Patricia Bruno, a Dominican Sister in California. Each email explores biblical stories that are seldom heard in the liturgical lectionary. This month she focuses on Advent and the the prophet Isaiah. She concludes her recent email with these words: “I hope this article will encourage you to spend some time using the daily Mass readings for your own personal reflections and prayer. Perhaps by doing so we will become like the bird who feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark – true Advent people!” Here is the full email for this month. Maybe you would like to get on her mailing list:

Stories Seldom Heard

124th Edition Advent December 2009

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The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) will publish a revised Lectionary for Sundays and Solemnities. This is the book of readings used in the public worship of the Roman Catholic Church in Canada.

The revised lectionary is expected to be available next spring in order to be used for the beginning of the following liturgical season – Year B – starting 30 November 2008. Visit CCCB for more details.

On the Second Sunday of Easter Our bishop will begin a reflection on the book of Revelation.”For many of us,” says Bishop Durocher, “the book of Revelation is the most mysterious book in the Bible. Full of strange symbols, fantastic imagery, scary scenes and exuberant poetry, it seems to describe the future. Yet, it really addresses the present time of its author.”

For those of you interested in understanding the Book of Revelation, I suggest you follow his weekly reflection beginning with the Second Sunday of Easter. Go to Word of the Day

Global Catholic News – Ancient Papyrus Donated to the Vatican: “Ancient Papyrus Donated to the Vatican
VATICAN CITY, JAN. 24, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI received as a gift to the Holy See one of the most ancient manuscripts of the Gospels, an artifact that demonstrates Scripture’s historical actuality.The Pope was given the 14-15 Bodmer Papyrus (P75), dated between A.D. 175 and 225, on Monday by Frank Hanna and his family, of the United States.

‘The papyrus contains about half of each of the Gospels of Luke and John. It was written in Egypt and perhaps used as a liturgical book,’ explained Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, archivist and librarian of the Holy Roman Church, during the audience. “

Boston College’s C21 Online: “Prepare for Christmas with Scripture study
especially designed for busy people
The Birth of Jesus: Two Gospel Accounts
click here for the self-paced mini-course”