Browsing the January 2020 archive of Thoughts from Fr. Bob
Presentation of the Lord
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/31/20
Ordinarily this would be the Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time of the church year. But, every now and then, February 2 falls on a Sunday. This Sunday is forty days after Jesus was born. In accordance with the Torah, Mary and Joseph brought him to the temple in Jerusalem ... Read More »
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.”
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/23/20
Twice today we hear the words “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” Even though we just heard these words a month ago at Christmas, it’s good to hear them again. Jesus began his mission by fulfilling the words of the great prophet Isaiah.
Throughout ... Read More »
Christian Unity
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/16/20
January 18-25 marks the annual week of prayer for Christian unity. It begins with the first of Peter’s confessions of faith and concludes with the feast of Paul’s conversion. The theme for this year’s observance is: “they showed us unusual kindness” (Acts 28:2).
There is so much division in ... Read More »
Baptism of the Lord
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/10/20
Over the last month or so, we have heard the news of God’s most wonderful gift revealed to a larger and larger audience. First, Mary was told of the role she was asked to play as the mother of God. When Joseph was planning to divorce her, he was ... Read More »
Epiphany
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/02/20
The tree may be taken down, gifts opened, put away, returned or even broken, and decorative lights turned off, but the Church continues to celebrate the word made flesh, the incarnation. Today we celebrate another great aspect of Christmas. A light, a star, shines for all to see, revealing ... Read More »