Browsing Fr. Bob's Columns
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity
Posted by Christine Rasure on 6/04/23
Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity – God is personal, actually “tri-personal!”On this annual feast, we recognize that God has revealed to humanity the fullness of his divine nature – three divine persons in one God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This Most Holy Trinity is the heart ... Read More »
Solemnity of Pentecost
Posted by Christine Rasure on 5/25/23
Solemnity of Pentecost – “The Spirit Came As Wind and Fire!”Fifty days after the Resurrection, on the Jewish feast of Pentecost (thus the large crowd in Jerusalem), the new People of God, the Church, embarked on its mission to go into the world. The Apostles and early disciples, animated ... Read More »
“I will not leave you orphans.”
Posted by Christine Rasure on 5/15/23
Mother’s Day – “I will not leave you orphans.”Jesus in the Gospel today gives heartfelt words of encouragement to the Apostles on the night that he would later be arrested. The Twelve had to be filled with anxiety and worry as the atmosphere in Jerusalem was getting more toxic, ... Read More »
Do not let your hearts be troubled
Posted by Christine Rasure on 5/07/23
Fifth Sunday of Easter – “Do not let your hearts be troubled”Easy for Jesus to say! He was God. Jesus at the Last Supper was preparing the Apostles and the disciples for the anxiety and frustration and anger they were about to experience later that evening and the next ... Read More »
Good Shepherd Sunday
Posted by Christine Rasure on 4/29/23
Fourth Sunday of Easter – Good Shepherd SundayIn the Gospel today, Jesus uses for himself one of our favorite images – a really Good Shepherd. Our loving and careful shepherd only enters our life through the proper gate to our sheepfold, not sneaking in like a thief who is ... Read More »
Third Sunday of Easter
Posted by Christine Rasure on 4/24/23
Third Sunday of Easter – “Been there! Done that!”That first Easter was a day with a lot of action: the women at the tomb; Peter and John run to the empty tomb; the Risen Jesus appears to them; the two disciples from Emmaus leave town and head home, but ... Read More »
“Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”
Posted by Christine Rasure on 4/17/23
2nd Sunday of Easter: “Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”Was Jesus talking about you and I that first Easter evening? I hope and trust that he was – that we believe that Jesus really did rise from the dead. Today’s Gospel proclaims that the risen ... Read More »
Easter Sunday
Posted by Christine Rasure on 4/10/23
Easter Sunday: The resurrection of the lord – Alleluia! He is risen!Today we rejoice as believers in the Paschal Mystery – that Jesus, our Savior, has risen from the tomb, after he suffered and died for us. We have been saved from our sins and given the promise of ... Read More »
Palm Sunday and the Passion of Our Lord
Posted by Christine Rasure on 3/31/23
Palm Sunday and the Passion of Our Lord – Hurray! Boo!No other Sunday in the Liturgical Year recounts such a dramatic contrast in emotions as the Palm Sunday liturgy. “Hosanna to the Son of David!,” and suddenly, “Crucify him!” The parade for a messianic hero to the execution of ... Read More »
Do you believe this?
Posted by Christine Rasure on 3/25/23
5th Sunday in Lent – “Do you believe this?”Jesus in the long gospel reading about Lazarus proclaims, “I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in me … will never die.” Do you wholeheartedly trust what Jesus teaches us today – that believing in him leads to eternal ... Read More »