Oro Valley Catholic

What does it mean to be a 'self'?  Am I the result of social pressures? Is my true self to be found in my emotions? Am I a creature made in the image and likeness of God, whatever that means? Oh, yes! It means quite a lot. The Acts of the Apostles, early Christian preaching and my true self, this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051825.cfm Portrait of Jean-Jacques Rous...

The Book of Revelation is mysterious, unless you know the code. The secret code is the true worship of God. Revelation is based on the liturgy of the Mass. Through all the ups and downs of life, Catholics are called to true worship. Art: The Last Judgment, Master of the Orléans Triptych French ca. 1500 Readings:  bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051125.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One Lic...

The Greco-Roman world had very dark understandings of death and the possibility of continued existence. The Jews, late in their history, came to a belief among, at least the Pharisees, that a resurrection of the dead would happen at the end of time. The Christians upended all of that - Christ is risen and the tomb is empty. Deal with it! Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050425.cfm...

In the Gospel for the Second Sunday of Easter, St. Thomas doubts the Resurrection. What is the difference between a difficulty, a doubt and skepticism? Important distinctions in the quest for truth. This week on OVC. Art: Portrait of Blaise Pascal Augustin de Saint-Aubin  French, After  Augustin Pajou ,  French, 1802 (Public domaine) Readings:  bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042725.cfm Music by St...

Tenebrae is a Christian remembrance of Christ's crucifixion. The music and scripture chosen commemorates the darkness that seeks to overcome the inextinguishable light of the Son of God. Tenebrae prepares the Christ for the darkness and hope of the Paschal Triduum.  Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

The sin of Adam and Eve leads to the travesty of sinful worship of God and the death of their son Abel at the hands of Cain, the older brother. The tragedy arises out of false worship. Another eldest son, Jesus of Nazareth will worship God in spirit and truth. He teaches His followers to do the same. The salvific value of true worship this week on OVC. Readings:  bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041...

What is sin? A weight... a debt ...disconnection from the divine. This week Christ is called to judge a woman caught in the very act of adultery? Should she be stoned?  A trap? To be sure. By the end of the chapter, the powers of this world threaten Jesus with stoning. Adultery is an example of sin, but what is sin? Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/040625-YearC.cfm Music by St. Mar...

Our world is pretty fragmented and it more difficult to build community. Catholics in their 20-30s are defying the trend and working to build a healthy, respectful community at St. Mark parish. Here the leadership team for St. Mark Young Adult Ministry describe their efforts and successes in this week's OVC. Remember, we are in the process of moving to Podbean.  Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to...

Kairos is the right time, the time of opportunity. In the Gospel, Jesus references death, guilt and the time for a decision. His parable? A fig tree that bears no fruit - it gets one more year! Readings for the Third Sunday of Lent:  bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032325-YearC.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Romans 10 says, "for, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." What does one of the most controversial passages in scripture mean? Simply put, 'faith that works' through self mortification. You can oppose belief in your heart, this week on OVC. Please note that OVC is moving to a new platform on Podbean. Plea...

In the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus describes the basis for drama free relationships. "Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic. Give...

The Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time brings us stories of discernment. How do I follow God's will? Holy Orders or Matrimony. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020925.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to One License Annual License w/Podcasting # A-726294

Much controversy between skeptics and believers. It is one thing to say that, as a materialist, I do not believe in the Resurrection. It is another thing to claim that the Gospel writers were anonymous, didn't know Jesus and made the story up years later. You can have your own dogma, not your own evidence. Listen about St. Luke's concern for historicity, this week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.u...

The Old Testament describe Israel as an unfaithful bride. Ezekiel, a prophet, proclaimed that God would form a New Covenant. Jesus in the Gospel of John acts as the Divine Bridegroom calling his people back to the Father. That Divine Wedding is consumated at his crucfixion. Lean more this week on OVC. Art: The Annunciation, Hans Memling Netherlandish, 1480–84 Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant to On...

This week on OVC I discuss Baptism and Remembering the past. The Gospel from Luke, "After all the people had been baptized and Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, heaven was opened and the Holy Spirit descended upon him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Remember that you are dust, that you were slaves and don't...

The Feast of the Holy Family, The Book of Sirach has this to say about a Holy Family. "God sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. Whoever honors his father atones for sins, and preserves himself from them. When he prays, he is heard; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. Whoever honors his father is gladdened by children, and, when he prays,...

The Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth is described in the Gospel of Luke, "Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and bless...

The Third Sunday of Advent brings us the story of St. John the Baptist telling those to be baptized to put sin behind them, be generous, don't abuse others or take advantage. It is very different from self-help as the next thing St. John says is to prepare for the one that will baptize with water and fire. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121524.cfm Music by St. Mark Choir pursuant...

The Gospel of Luke tells the story of St. John the Baptist on the Second Sunday of Advent: A voice of one crying out in the desert: “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill shall be made low. The winding roads shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Help always come...

This weekend we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King. ""My kingdom does not belong to this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world, my attendants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not here." John 18 How is Jesus a king as David was king and God is king. This week on OVC. Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112424.cfm M...

Spiritual, but not religious is to be alone in a dangerous neighborhood. Christ is both the Messiah and the New Temple. Why does he answer our human needs for security. This week on OVC. Architectural model of the temple of King Solomon in Jerusalem After a design by Thomas Newberry British (1883) On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 554 This monumental nineteenth-century architectural model...

In the image, Melchizedek lays his hands on Abram. The Book of Hebrews looks at this moment in Genesis as the origin of the priesthood of Christ. "Brothers and sisters: The levitical priests were many because they were prevented by death from remaining in office, but Jesus, because he remains forever, has a priesthood that does not pass away. Therefore, he is always able to save those who approach...

Ambition, glory and honor - is the desire for these things evil. Jesus doesn't say that. Instead, to be ambitious in service, to be the least of all and the servant of all, this is ambition, glory and honor in God's eyes. ""You know that those who are recognized as rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But it shall not be so among you...

Prudence is good judgment expressed in the choices you make. The grace of prudence is to choose wisely about matters eternal. In this week's OVC, the Lord teaches this lesson to a wealthy young man. "I prayed, and prudence was given me; I pleaded, and the spirit of wisdom came to me. I preferred her to scepter and throne, and deemed riches nothing in comparison with her, nor did I liken any pricel...

"But from the beginning of creation, God made them male and female. For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." Mark 10. This week, Jesus on Marriage and Divorce on OVC. Art: Marriage Contract: Late Period, 380–343 B.C. Dating to the 30th Dynasty, just before the conquest of the Persian Empire and hence of Egypt by Alexand...