Pentecost (B); May 24, 2015 Acts 2:1-11 Ps 104 Gal 5:16-25 Jn 20:19-23 Deacon Jim McFadden; Folsom Prison At the high school where I teach theology, a favorite, boisterous cheer that punctuates rallies and sporting events is “We’ve got spirit; how about you?” When you have over a thousand adolescents chanting that refrain…
3RD Sunday in Ordinary Time (B); 1-25-15 Jon 3:1-5,10; Ps 25; 1 Cor 7:29-31; Mk 1:14-21 Deacon Jim McFadden; Folsom Prison Twelve years ago, I was preparing a convict at Minimum Facility for his confirmation on Christmas Day, which was presided by Bishop Garcia. He was so excited but wanted to stay focused on…
The Baptism of the Lord (B) Is 42: 1-4,6-7 Ps 29 Acts 10:34-38 Mk 1:7-11 Deacon Jim McFadden; St. John the Baptist C.C. Did you ever wonder why Jesus was able to see the essential goodness of the people he encountered? Jesus saw in others what he knew in himself. The heart he…
2nd Sunday of Advent; December 7, 2014 Is 40:1-5,9-11 Ps 85 2 Pt 3:8-14 Mk 1:1-8 Deacon Jim McFadden; St. John the Baptist C.C. In today’s Gospel, we once again hear proclaimed the person of John the Baptist, who plays a prominent role in Mark’s Gospel. Who is this crazy guy with who…
26th Sunday in O.T.; 9-28-14 Ez 18:25-28 Ps 25 Phil 2:1-11 Mt 21:28-32 Deacon Jim McFadden; Folsom Prison What kind of future are you preparing for? For some, it’s trying to get an elusive release date. For others, it’s resigning oneself to a lifetime sentence and all that entails living in Folsom Prison.…
17th Sunday in O.T. (A); July 27, 2014 1 Kgs 3:5,7-12 Ps 119 Rom 8:28-30 Mt 13:44-52 Deacon Jim McFadden; Folsom Prison (God says to Solomon in our first reading, “Ask for anything, and I will give it to you.” What would you say if you heard that invitation? Solomon asks for wisdom and…
16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); 7-20-14 Wis 12:13,16-19; Ps 86; Rom 8:26-27; Mt 13:24-43 Deacon Jim McFadden; St. John the Baptist C.C. Jesus tells stories–lots of them. His stories are called parables. Jesus uses them to invite us into his world. He starts by having us walk around the perimeter…
15th Sunday in O.T. (A); July 13, 2014 Is 55:10-11 Ps 65 Rom 8:18-23 Mt 13:1-23 Deacon Jim McFadden; Folsom Prison (God sends his Word into each of our hearts liberally. He does not solely give his grace to those he knows will bear fruit. He sows the Word in everyone, but it does…
Good Friday, 2014 Deacon Jim McFadden; St. John the Baptist C.C. Can you imagine what must have transpired in Hell when Jesus died on the Cross? No doubt some serious infernal celebration must have erupted when the Son of God breathed His last. Think of a diabolical version of the World’s…
7th Sunday in O.T. (A); February 23, 2014 Lv 19:1-2, 17-18; Ps 103; 1 Cor 3:16-23; Mt 5:38-48 Deacon Jim McFadden; Folsom Prison Last Sunday we reflected upon Jesus’ challenge not to seek revenge upon those who have hurt us. Today, he goes further by calling us to love our enemies. How can…
The Cross is the Way Home 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); August 30, 2026 Jer 20:7-9. Ps 63. Rom 12:1-2. Mt 16:21-27 Deacon Jim McFadden After establishing Peter as the rock of his Church, Jesus then begins to speak…
21st Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); August 23, 2026 Is 22:19-23. Ps 138. Rom 11:33-36. Mt 16:13-20 Deacon Jim McFadden Midway through his public ministry, Jesus ventured with his disciples to the northern reaches of the Promised Land, to the…
20th Sunday in Ordinary Time (A); August 16, 2026 Is 56:1,6-7. Ps 67. Rom 11:13-15,29-32. Mt 15:21-28 Deacon Jim McFadden Today’s Gospel (Mt 15:21-28) presents us with a unique example of faith in Jesus’s encounter with a Canaanite woman,…
WWW.DEACONJIM.BLOG 