Emmaus Blog

Monday, March 2, 2026: Stations of the Cross:  Jesus falls for the first time Station of the Cross: III  Jesus Falls the First Time:  Weakened by torture and pain, Jesus falls beneath his cross. Prayer:   Lord Jesus, your falls under the weight of the cross further weakened your aching body and spirit. So many of our immigrant brothers and sisters make it to the United States where they think they will be safe, only to find repeated torture within our systems that oppress, detain, and abandon them. May we recognize your suffering face in their pleas for help and mercy. Scripture: John 19:1-3 And the soldiers plaited a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and arrayed him in a purple robe; they came up to him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and struck him with their hands. Reflection: The enormous weight on his shoulders–we did that and we still do. With our thoughts, words, actions or inaction, we put more weight upon his shoulders. But even with all of this we...

 Sunday, March 1, 2026: Station of the Cross: Jesus willingly accepts and patiently bears his cross. PRAYER: Lord Jesus, you did not fight or flee as you were forced to take up an unbearably heavy cross after torture and abandonment by many of those you loved. Today, many of our immigrant brothers and sisters must endure exhausting, long legal cases to seek safety after already experiencing horrific violence and abuse. We pray for a more merciful system, and for strength for them as they wait. Immigrant story from one person from the African country of Cameroon: John is a Cameroonian man who believes in equality and dignity for all people in his country. In October 2018, he joined a peaceful protest calling for equal rights for English-speaking Cameroonians. During the protest, government forces opened fire, and one of John’s friends was killed right in front of him. John was arrested and taken into government custody.  He was held in an overcrowded detention center for days w...

Saturday, February 28, 2026: Reflection by Bishop Felipe Pulido Auxiliary Bishop, Diocese of San Diego | CLINIC Board Member   Today, our nation finds itself in the midst of a profound immigration crisis. Much of the conversation unfolds in political debates, family gatherings, and on social media, yet too often the human face of the suffering Christ is lost. Jesus continues to suffer in the lives of our immigrant brothers and sisters — women, men, and children who carry fear, hope, and deep faith as they seek safety and dignity. Catholic social teaching calls us to respond with hearts shaped by the Gospel: to welcome, protect, promote, and integrate migrants, honoring their God-given dignity, while also recognizing the responsibility of nations to secure their borders in ways that respect human rights.  The Church, through her many ministries, walks alongside immigrants with compassion — offering shelter, legal assistance, medical care, pastoral support, and advocacy. St...

 Friday, February 27, 2026:  What if the mightiest word is love? Legacy reflection by Brother Toby: I learned a very valuable lesson from Charles “Sparky” Schulz (1922-2000), the magnificent cartoonist of “Peanuts.” He told me never to read a newspaper first thing in the morning or last thing at night. And Sparky was absolutely right!  I often forget that the night is part of the day. If the daylight hours have been difficult and there are very unhealthy things going on in our country or in the world, the night is a time of purity. Sometimes I sit beside my cat listening to the crickets, there are so many of them at this time of year. It is really a choral fantasy. And, of course, there are the toads. They care nothing at all about what goes on in Washington, D.C. They travel happily down the gravel paths and at least one is almost always outside my bedroom window. What is the world like to a cricket, a toad, the occasional owl that flies by, or the gray fox that makes he...

Wednesday, February 25, 2026:  And that last line, lead us not into temptation! Strange and captivating phrase! A Reflection for the First Week of Lent, By Joe Hoover, S.J. The Lord’s prayer. The “Our Father.” Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done.…  You can say it while sleeping, mowing the lawn, scuba diving, eating Grape Nuts. You can probably say it while you are saying other things. The “Our Father” is a thing that is. It is out there. In the culture.  With the “Lord’s Prayer” we are back to King James. I imagine because it is comforting, it is what everyone prays. And that last line, lead us not into temptation! Strange and captivating phrase! Why would God lead us into temptation! Does God actively do that? Take us directly into temptation such that we need to ask God not to lead us into temptation. No! Of course not!  But yes, yes, he does lead us into temptation. Why? Because it says here he does; in the “Our ...

Tuesday, February 24, 2026:  This is my prayer for all nations and all humanity Dear Sisters and Brothers: Last Sunday Melva Freeman shared her prayer for peace during our shared homily. It took a lot of courage on Melva's part to - but she shared her prayer and it was wonderful! This has been a troubled time for all of us and, after watching a video linked to our blog,  Melva felt a special sense of grief. Her response was to write a prayer for peace.  Prayer for Peace: Please share this prayer (Melva's request) I cannot change the many, many problems of our world.   All I can do is contact my elected officials, vote, take care of myself and pray for peace.  This is my prayer for all nations and all humanity.  May all people in all nations have peace, prosperity, kindness, safety, food, clothing, safe clean shelter, clean water, health and happiness.   May they experience laughter, love and many blessings, freedom to worship as they wish, fr...