Browsing the 2024 archive of Thoughts from Fr. Bob
Palm Sunday - March 24, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/19/24
We begin our celebration of Holy Week by calling down God’s blessing upon the symbol that today’s feast is named for, the palms that were used to welcome our Lord to Jerusalem. “Hosanna!” the crowds cried out, praising the Son of Man as he rode into the holy city. ... Read More »
Lent 5 - March 17, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/12/24
It’s hard to believe that Holy Week is just around the corner, and so we hear Jesus in the Gospel talk about his fast approaching death. Yet his message to his disciples is not so much about his death as it is about eternal life.
In our first reading ... Read More »
Lent 4 - March 10, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/12/24
It’s hard to believe that Lent is half over. This Sunday is called Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday. In joy we anticipate the unparalleled love, mercy, and peace that the risen Lord gives to us at Easter. God’s unconditional love for the world was so great that He sends Jesus, His ... Read More »
Lent 3 - March 3, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/28/24
Today we hear God deliver the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Chosen People. The commandments provide a way for them to live up to their part of the covenant. We face the same challenge today. Lent is a wonderful opportunity to examine our consciences and recall times when ... Read More »
Lent 2 - February 25, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/21/24
As we continue our Lenten journey, we hear stories of two significant journeys in the history of our faith. Abraham travels to a distant land with his precious son, Isaac, where his devotion and obedience to God will be put to their greatest test. Jesus leads his closest disciples ... Read More »
Lent 1 - February 18, 2024 - and letter from Fr. George
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/15/24
As we begin this Lenten season we encounter ashes and rainbows. That’s a strange combination. Ashes are dirty, messy, and ugly. Rainbows, on the other hand, are beautiful and inspiring. On Wednesday, ashes were smudged on our foreheads as a sign of our mortality and sinfulness. Today we hear ... Read More »
6th Sunday in OT - February 11, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/07/24
As we fast approach Ash Wednesday and the Lenten season of repentance and penitence, we hear how Jesus responded to a man who was considered unclean, both physically and spiritually. Over the following forty days we will approach our Lord as sinners, in need of forgiveness, in need of ... Read More »
5th Sunday in OT - February 4, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/04/24
Job could be the patron saint of drudgery, restless nights, and miserable days. Every evening he ends his day without hope. He has no confidence that his life will change. A couple of weeks ago we heard Jesus call Andrew and Simon. They abandoned their nets of drudgery and ... Read More »
4th Sunday in OT - January 28, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/24/24
Can you believe it’s been over a month since we celebrated Christmas? By now, our decorations are hopefully back in their boxes and the warm glow of the holidays has faded, but let us not forget that our greatest Christmas gift ever, the Son of God, remains with us ... Read More »
3rd Sunday in OT - January 21, 2024
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/17/24
In today’s Gospel, Jesus passes by the Sea of Galilee and calls the first four disciples, two pairs of brothers, Simon and Andrew, James (our patron) and John. Follow me, he tells these four fishermen, and I will make you fishers of more disciples. Jesus continues to call disciples. ... Read More »