Browsing Thoughts from Fr. Bob
27th Sunday of Ordinary Time - October 6, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 10/03/24
Especially appropriate on Respect Life Sunday, our first reading reminds us that God brought life to us all. Out of love and empathy for the first human. God created the first woman. God has blessed us with the ability to share in the creation of new life and we ... Read More »
26th Sunday of Ordinary Time - September 29, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 9/26/24
Today’s Gospel is a difficult one with severe warnings about sin and hell. The second reading isn’t much easier to take warning of the corrosive effects of wealth and pleasure.
Again and again in his letter, James commands Christians to put faith into action. We hear an explicit warning, ... Read More »
25th Sunday of Ordinary Time - September 22, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 9/18/24
As summer transitions to fall, farmers' thoughts turn toward the coming harvest. Speaking of harvesting, in the second reading St. James declares that those who cultivate peace will sow the fruit of righteousness. Besides the traditional fall harvest of apples, corn, and pumpkins, may we also savor the fruit ... Read More »
24th Sunday of Ordinary Time - September 15, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 9/12/24
Over the next six Sundays, we will hear Jesus catechizing his disciples and us on what it means to be a disciple. Recently, we have heard Jesus perform miracles, heal the sick, and face down the Scribes and Pharisees. But now he teaches us a different lesson. First, he ... Read More »
23rd Sunday of Ordinary Time - September 8, 2024
Posted by Patricia Penkalski on 9/09/24
Today we hear the story of a miracle in which Jesus performs a healing in a very intimate way. He draws a deaf and mute man away from the crowd, puts his fingers in his ears and, having spat on them, touches his tongue as well. Jesus is here ... Read More »
22nd Sunday of Ordinary Time - September 1, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 8/29/24
On this Labor Day weekend, when we recognize all those who work to provide for their families, their communities, this nation and the Church, we also celebrate the World Day of Prayer for the care of creation, praying that together we can work to ensure that the world God ... Read More »
21st Sunday of Ordinary Time - August 25, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 8/23/24
Life is difficult. We struggle each day as we try to balance our checkbooks, our time, and our obligations. We come to Mass each weekend when we could be somewhere else, doing something else. Our faith, our sense of what God is calling us to do, and the Holy ... Read More »
20th Sunday of Ordinary Time - August 18, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 8/15/24
If it seems as if we’ve been hearing about Jesus as the Bread of Life for a few weeks now, you’re absolutely right. John obviously thought that this teaching was quite important. Perhaps not coincidentally, John is the only evangelist who doesn’t write about Jesus offering his Body and ... Read More »
19th Sunday of Ordinary Time - August 11, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 8/08/24
At this time of summer, parts of the country where the heat has accumulated, along with great fires, is overwhelming. Because of this, the first reading today will resonate with us. Just one day into his journey across the desert, the great prophet Elijah is so hot and tired ... Read More »
18th Sunday of Ordinary Time - August 4, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 8/01/24
"I am the bread of life,” Jesus tells us in the Gospel today, “whoever comes to me will never hunger.” We come to encounter Jesus in five ways. We experience him in God’s word, proclaimed to our assembly. We see him in those who minister to us at Mass. ... Read More »