Browsing the 2020 archive of Thoughts from Fr. Bob
Epiphany - January 3, 2021
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/28/20
There is a song we hear at this time of the year that begins, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” With nature at times giving us storms, wildfires, earthquakes, with war still being waged, with people being killed just walking down the street, to say nothing of ... Read More »
Christmas 2020 / Holy Family December 27, 2020
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/22/20
The tree may be down, the presents put away, along with the outside decorations, but the church continues to celebrate the festive season of Christmas by honoring this weekend, The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Like all families, they had their happy and sad moments. Recall Joseph’s ... Read More »
4th Sunday of Advent - December 20, 2020
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/18/20
Our season of anticipation and preparation during this advent season is nearly over. The promise of these four weeks, the coming of our Lord and Savior, will soon be reaching its fulfillment.
Luke’s Gospel this weekend in the Annunciation is filled with good news. Elizabeth, in her advanced age ... Read More »
3rd Sunday of Advent -December 13, 2020
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/11/20
Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, is called in Latin, Gaudete Sunday, which means rejoice. We rejoice today because the coming of the Lord is so near that we cannot help but think about it. With so many decorations up already before Thanksgiving people in the midst of the ... Read More »
2nd Sunday of Advent - December 6,2020
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/03/20
One of the main characters of the Advent Season is John the Baptist. He is called the precursor, or the forerunner of Christ, because he prepared the way for the coming of Jesus. Mark’s gospel begins with John’s appearance in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the ... Read More »
1st Sunday of Advent - November 29, 2020
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/30/20
If it is one thing I hear most from everyone, it is thank God 2020 is coming to an end. Today, the First Sunday of Advent, is the beginning of the year of grace 2021. This is the time of preparation to celebrate the coming of the Lord into ... Read More »
Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe - November 22, 2020
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/18/20
With the COVID-19 pandemic going on, every day seems like the next. And yet, here we are celebrating the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, the final Sunday of the liturgical year, Thanksgiving Day this Thursday, and the Christmas Holy Day season right around the corner.
Today’s Gospel is my favorite: the parable of the last judgment. Caring for the most needy of the world is what the Kingdom of God is all about. Rather frighten us, it ought to be a comfort to know exactly what is on the final exam. Thanks to our reading, we know how we can inherit eternal life. Those who are welcomed into the Kingdom feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the ill, and visit the ... Read More »
33 OT - November 15, 2020
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/12/20
How are we using what has been entrusted to us? In today’s parable of the talents, a wealthy man goes on a journey. He entrusts his money to his three servants. Once home from the journey, he called his servants to report on how they used this money. Two ... Read More »
32 OT - November 8, 2020
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/06/20
Since this article must be in to the printer before the election results are in, or even before we hear the latest numbers of how the COVID-19 pandemic is progressing or regressing, some of you may be very happy about the results of both of these or maybe very ... Read More »
All Saints - November 1, 2020
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 10/29/20
It’s not every year that we celebrate the solemnity of All Saints on a Sunday. This is a day on which we remember all those holy men and women who have come before us. Sainthood is not an exclusive club. In the Apostles Creed we profess our belief in ... Read More »