Browsing Thoughts from Fr. Bob
2nd Sunday in OT - January 16, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/13/22
January is not a common month for weddings in this country. Do you think the weather has anything to do with it? Nevertheless, a wedding at Cana in Galilee is at the center of today’s gospel. It is at this wedding feast that Jesus performs his first miracle, changing ... Read More »
The Baptism of the Lord - January 9, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 1/05/22
I suspect that many of you have already taken down your Christmas tree and inside and outside decorations. Actually the Christmas liturgy season does not end until today, when we celebrate the baptism of the Lord. We now enter the ordinary season of the year. Not until March 2, ... Read More »
The Epiphany of the Lord - January 2, 2022
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/29/21
Just when you think the Christmas season is over, we celebrate the Epiphany of the Lord. The Greek word itself means manifestation. So in many countries of the world this solemnity is their Christmas, since our Lord is revealed to the Gentile, non-Jewish world. While the scripture never really ... Read More »
Christmas
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/21/21
We come to church to celebrate our Lord’s birth. On Sunday, we expand that celebration to his immediate family, the Holy Family. Mary and Joseph cared for their son, raising Him in the religious traditions of their Jewish faith. Luke says of Jesus after he is found in the ... Read More »
4th Sunday of Advent - December 19, 2021
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/14/21
We draw close to the end of this Advent Season of expectation, preparation, and waiting. For three weeks we have been anticipating that glorious day that is now just around the corner. Time to break from all the hustle and bustle that threatens to overwhelm the true meaning of ... Read More »
3rd Sunday of Advent - December 12, 2021
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/08/21
Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, also known in Latin as Gaudete, we are to rejoice for we are more than half way through this season of preparation. Spread the joy. This is a dominant theme in the scripture today, with calls to shout it, sing it, cry out ... Read More »
2nd Sunday of Advent - December 5, 2021
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 12/01/21
Our Gospel reading from Luke starts out in a strange way. He mentions people like Lysanias and places like Trachonitis. Why does he do that? It was a way of showing the difference between before and after. Just as our country memorializes 1776, or parents recall the year in ... Read More »
1st Sunday of Advent - November 28, 2021
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/27/21
Today is the first Sunday of Advent-a time to prepare for the coming of the Lord whom we portray as a precious infant in a simple manger at the end of this season. But while we celebrate His coming in the incarnation 2021 years ago, there are two more ... Read More »
Christ the King - November 21, 2021
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/16/21
Today we bring to completion the Liturgical Year of the Lord 2021. We recognize Jesus’ role as the Lord of all, the ruler over all humanity, the king of the eternal and universal Kingdom. In our Gospel we hear him witness to the kingdom in front of Pilate.
Jesus ... Read More »
33rd Sunday in OT - November 14, 2021
Posted by Fr Bob Betz on 11/10/21
When we approach the end of any liturgical year, we listen to the kind of readings that we hear proclaimed today. As frightening as the warnings are in today’s readings, they are accompanied by assurance that God remains with us, always. We like to be in control of our ... Read More »