Gospel Reflections for January 19 2020
There is the Lamb of God!
John the Baptist shouts that out when he sees Jesus at the Jordan River. It is a shorthand way of recognizing Jesus as the divine Savior of the world.
The crowd must have been impressed and all would have turned to look at Our Lord. They were always expecting a Jewish savior, but John affirms Jesus as the Savior of the whole world! That is a much larger task! Our Lord seemed supremely confident He could accomplish this mission. At the Jordan River, Jesus ends His private life and begins His public ministry for your salvation.
How would you feel if someone said out loud about you, “There is a Catholic!” Would you accept it? Would you try to hide it?
You may understandably not feel confident to show your Catholic faith if you do not know it well. I see that often in our school students. Whenever I ask a question, I see some instantly raise their hands eager to respond while others sink in their seats trying to be invisible! Those who have studied and know …cannot wait to show what they know!
If you do not feel prepared, well, this is your week! In our Los Angeles area we are distributing our 2020 University Series Catalogs for our large multi-parish adult education program during the Season of Lent. It begins on Thursday, February 27th, the day after Ash Wednesday.
You will discover about 170 informative sessions distributed across 17 parishes on all kinds of topics that connect your Catholic faith with real life. There are topics on Faith & Marriage and Family issues, Faith & Current Events, Faith & Science, and many talks on Faith & Modern Moral Issues. Of course, I will also have my favorite topics on Faith & Biblical Archaeology and Middle East Politics. The Senior CNN Vatican Correspondent, John Allen, will also return, along with former Angels Manager, Mike Scioscia, joining us for the first time. This is you time to decide to grow in your understanding of God’s wisdom for your life.
You can see the entire program at theuniversityseries.org, where you can also pre-register for classes at a discount, and even buy an All Classes Pass. Your registration always enables you to being a friend for free. Every session is designed to take all your questions as well.
Wherever you live, decide now to make this Lent your time to become prepared …and learn your faith as an adult and in way that is easy to understand.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Tom Joyce says
I enjoy being known for being Catholic and inform them of our Universal Faith. I consider
My Faith my most precious Treasure. The teachings of the Church provide a Path in this life
And a way to Eternal Happiness. Thanks for these reminders of what we possess and understand along with continuing to learn the Beauty of Catholic Teaching.
Father Dave says
You are very welcome. Yes, your faith is absolutely your greatest treasure. Well said!
franca dornan says
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our precious Jesus, our beautiful Mary and our loving God!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our Faithfilled University series for it brings us the beauty, blessings and loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee of our Faith!!! We grow beautifully in loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee and then we must share our Jesus’ love with others!!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it!!!
KLoiveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Father Dave says
Thanks you!
Philomena Gatto says
Great news, Fr. Dave!
‘Looking forward to attending the sessions of interest.
‘Glad to see your new book is coming out soon!
Father Dave says
See you in the University Series soon! The book is actually available on Amazon now as a pre-order.
Seth Wegher-Thompson says
Thank you Father Dave and the thousands of people who have made the Univeristy series such a success over the years! I’m thinking of all the participants, presenters, administrators, and students who have dedicated their time prayer and resources.
I can’t wait to get signed up for my classes.
VSS,
Seth W-T
Father Dave says
We can be grateful for the wonderful faculty who dedicate thier time each year to share thier wisdom. See you soon in the University!
Cathy says
Hello Father Dave
This is my Birthday weekend. Looking forward to getting the catalogue when I return from vacation.
Cathy
Father Dave says
I hope you will get the catalog soon.
Jane says
Fr. Dave,
This week my brother had a stroke. They had to preform a craniotomy to stop the bleeding of the aneurysm. I am so grateful to have had this experience myself almost 4 years ago to share in my brother Andy’s recovery. Only God could have given me this gift & blessing. !!
I am so proud to be a catholic an be a witness in the world of Jesus’s love for us. I think the priest in elevator was surprised for me to introduce myself as a catholic from CA in the U of M hospital in Ann Arbor.
God is GOOD ALL the time!!!
Yah!! For the University of 2020 in CA
God Bless
Jane Maiello
Father Dave says
Please be assurred of my prayers for your brother. How amazing that your past experience was now a blessing for your brother!