Browsing the 2023 archive of Fr. Bob's Columns
More Parables!
Posted by Christine Rasure on 7/19/23
Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – More Parables!Jesus our teacher lays out three more parables in the gospel for us to digest this Sunday. Last week, we had some seed on unproductive ground and some on fertile good soil. The first of this week’s parables introduces a new problem ... Read More »
Seeds? Abundant harvest?
Posted by Christine Rasure on 7/14/23
Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: Seeds? Abundant harvest?In agrarian society like Galilee in the first century, Jesus’ listeners easily understood the importance of good seeds, but equally critical for a good harvest was the ground properly cultivated, so that there would be an abundant harvest. If Jesus was talking ... Read More »
Plowing through life!
Posted by Christine Rasure on 7/07/23
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time: “Plowing through life!” Jesus in the Gospel today brings up an agricultural image that his crowd would understand – a “yoke.” A yoke is not what you find in an egg! It is a wooden collar or frame that an ox or a team ... Read More »
Christian hospitality?
Posted by Christine Rasure on 7/02/23
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time – Christian hospitality?The first reading and the Gospel this Sunday have a common theme of hospitality. This Christian hospitality goes beyond what we usually mean by the word – a friendly greeting, a beverage and some food for a visitor. It is not about ... Read More »
"So do not be afraid.”
Posted by Christine Rasure on 6/27/23
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time – “So do not be afraid.”Jesus was preparing 12 men who were intelligent but fairly uneducated to be “ambassadors” for his new Kingdom of Heaven. No doubt as Jesus explained their job description, the apostles were starting to get cold feet about going out ... Read More »
Back to the Gospel of Matthew
Posted by Christine Rasure on 6/15/23
Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time – Back to the Gospel of MatthewToday we are back to Ordinary Time on Sunday for the first time since February. Being in Cycle A from the Sunday Lectionary, we pick up again the Gospel of Matthew which we started after the Christmas Season ... Read More »
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ
Posted by Christine Rasure on 6/12/23
Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ On this feast that is traditionally called “Corpus Christi,” we are reminded as Catholics that we are privileged at Mass to share in Christ’s sacrifice and his risen life by receiving Holy Communion. Each time we respond “Amen!” to ... Read More »
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 »