Category Archives: Fr. Bob’s Weekly Reflections

Today there is a funny feeling in the church everywhere. The crib is back in storage, the Wise Men have returned to the East, the shepherds to their flocks, the angels have stopped singing.

We are all candidates for holiness no matter who or what we are. Who else but Jesus would have called Peter, the one who denied Him, and made him the head of the apostles.

This feast of the Epiphany has always been among the favorites of many people, especially in Latin cultures like Italy and South America.

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. Fortunately, most of us value the gift of family. We treasure it, and understand its importance, for both society and Church.

 Do Not Be Afraid. One of the most frequent assurances in scripture is one you just heard from Matthew. Do not be afraid, it dots the old and new testaments.

Our gospel tells us of John the Baptist in his prison. He’s puzzled, maybe a little disappointed. Like many Jews, he’s expected the Messiah to be a fiery social reformer.

This is a stern gospel about a stern John the Baptist. If you were making up a list for a Christmas Party, you would leave his name off.

Today is the first Sunday of Advent and no one really celebrates it anymore. The season has been swallowed up by commercial Christmas. Yes, we come to church and note the purple vestments and sing the Advent Hymns.

Charlie Brown is leaning against a tree talking to Lucy. She asks, “What do you think security is, Charlie Brown?”

One night in 1983 over 100 million TV viewers saw the movie, “The Day After.” It portrayed what a city would look like after a nuclear attack.