Browsing Thoughts from Fr. Bob
4th Sunday of Lent - March 27, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/23/22
On this fourth Sunday of the Lenten season, called Laetare Sunday, a time to anticipate the joy of the Easter season, we get a taste of God’s rich mercy and boundless generosity, eventually realized through Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. The stories and reflections we hear in today’s readings illustrate the ... Read More »
3rd Sunday of Lent - March 20, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/22/22
In today’s Gospel, Jesus points out that the crowd and some of us, believe that those who experience something negative in their lives are being punished by God. Perhaps its because when we were young and did something wrong we would be spanked, or grounded, or had to go ... Read More »
2nd Sunday of Lent - March 13, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/10/22
As we continue our journey through the penitential Lenten season, we are reminded in our readings of the promise the Lord makes to us. God asked Abraham to look up to the heavens and witness the countless stars in the sky. Peter, James, and John looked up to the ... Read More »
1st Sunday of Lent - March 6, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 3/02/22
The first Sunday of Lent always gives us the gospel of Jesus going into the desert to be tempted or tested. It may appear to be a case of poor judgment to follow anyone into the desert for forty days, even if that someone is the Holy Spirit. Why ... Read More »
8th Sunday in OT - February 27, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/23/22
Jesus the teacher presents lessons as insightful today as they were when he taught his disciples two thousand years ago. In a few days we will be beginning the season of Lent, when we will be reminded of the lessons Jesus taught us as he anticipated his eventual death. ... Read More »
7th Sunday in OT - February 20, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/16/22
Today Jesus tells us, love your enemies, challenging society’s values and even common sense. Why should we love those who have or would harm us? Probably, because one of the greatest gifts we can give is our mercy. Obviously, we feel our enemy doesn’t deserve our mercy, but it ... Read More »
6th Sunday in OT - February 13, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/13/22
Just last week we heard Jesus call Peter, James, and John, telling them they would be fishing for other disciples, not for fish. They left everything behind to follow him. Today we hear Jesus make a different kind of call for transformation. Jesus did not want those who are ... Read More »
5th Sunday in OT - February 6, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 2/02/22
In today’s gospel, Jesus had taught the crowds from Peter’s boat. He asked him to do two things. “Put out into deep water and lower your nets.” Neither of which Peter would normally do. He must have been quite impressed by this stranger’s teaching to do either one. The ... Read More »
4th Sunday in OT - January 30, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/26/22
In our gospel today, Jesus quotes Isaiah, Elijah, and Elisha. Referencing these three prophets should be a ticket to being accepted by the people. But when Elijah told the king that the Lord would bring three years of drought, then left to save the life of a foreigner, he ... Read More »
3rd Sunday in OT - January 23, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/19/22
For fifty years the Jewish people had been exiled in Babylon. Most of the people gathered around Ezra, the priest, that day after their return, had never worshipped in Jerusalem before, never worshipped in so large a gathering, never worshipped in public. They are hearing God’s word proclaimed openly ... Read More »