2023 archive of From the Desk of Fr. Mike
Ancestory
Posted by Anne Serwe on 12/28/23
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots (Isaiah 11:1)
In today’s first reading we hear Nathan the prophet speaking God’s promise to King David; He says: “I will give you rest from all your enemies. The LORD ... Read More »
Rejoice for all the things He has given you!
Posted by Anne Serwe on 12/18/23
Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. May the God of peace make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will also accomplish it.” 1 Thes 5:16-24
... Read More »
Be Alert!
Posted by Anne Serwe on 12/04/23
We ended the church’s year last week with Jesus’ words: “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit upon his glorious throne, and all the nations will be assembled before him. And he will separate them one from another, ... Read More »
Keep our Eyes on What Matters
Posted by Anne Serwe on 11/20/23
I enjoy reading mystery novels. The best of them gives misleading cues causing the reader to be misdirected as s/he tries to figure out the who, what, why’s of the story line. The worst of these kinds of stories are when the author gives few, if any, clues which ... Read More »
Prayer for Peace
Posted by Anne Serwe on 11/06/23
On Friday afternoon, October 27, Pope Francis presided over the Prayer for Peace in Saint Peter’s Basilica. The whole day was dedicated to fasting and prayer for peace in the world. A day that was called by the Holy Father given the events in the Holy Land.
Here is ... Read More »
Encountering Jesus
Posted by Anne Serwe on 10/31/23
Throughout the Psalms and elsewhere in the scriptures the various authors raise their praise to God, describing Him as their rock. Psalm 18 is particularly effuse with this expression: In its second verse it proclaims: “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in ... Read More »
Time for a Sabbatical
Posted by Anne Serwe on 10/22/23
I am glad that the CCW sponsored a night with the Lino Lakes police department to talk about the growing threat of scammers. It was particularly poignant given the fact that same week we were scammed to the point of one of our staff members being personally affected and ... Read More »
The Gift of Receiving the Gospel in Our Own Tongues
Posted by Anne Serwe on 10/09/23
On Saturday, September 30 Pope Francis raised twenty one men to status of Cardinal. They come from all over the world: they hail from Argentina, Poland, Spain, Tanzania, Malaysia, France, Venezuela, Italy and South Sudan, America, and Hong Kong.
In his homily, Pope Francis reflected on the day’s reading, ... Read More »
Unity in Jesus Christ
Posted by Anne Serwe on 9/11/23
Jesus prayed: “I pray not only for these, but for those who through their words will believe in me. May they all be one; Father may they be one in us, as you are in me and I am in you, so that the world may believe it was ... Read More »
Our Salvation Comes from Our Relationship with Jesus
Posted by Anne Serwe on 9/06/23
The spiritual life has occurrences of great triumph and great failure and typically all within connected moments. Last Sunday in the Gospel Jesus asks his disciples who people say that he is. Peter responds beautifully and profoundly: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus responds ... Read More »