Fr. Bob’s Weekly Reflections

Years ago, there was a play on Broadway called the “Great God Brown” and in one scene; a man was on his deathbed. He was very frightened but his mother was at his side.

A single mother is frantic. She has found a six-pack of beer in her 14-year-old daughter’s closet. When the daughter comes home from school, she confronts her, “Ok Maria, what is this?”

It is true. We all adapt and adjust to our surroundings. We adapt ourselves continually and necessarily because our society demands adaptation.

In the sixties, Joni Mitchell sang a song “I’ve looked at life from both sides now. From win and lose and still somehow it’s life’s illusions I recall.

The appeal of the Emmaus story is that it talks about where most of us live. There are no revelations, no great Saints, no exotic places, or people.

They were behind closed doors out of fear. Fear of what? Several things. They were afraid that those responsible for the death of Jesus might hunt them down, afraid of public ridicule.

Sadly for many, celebrating Easter Sunday this year is unlike anything we’ve ever known.  This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, communities cannot gather together for Holy Mass.

Today for Catholics and Christians around the world we start the holiest week of the year, Palm Sunday. The week starts from Sunday to Saturday.

Have you ever been in a hospital waiting room? Waiting for news from the doctor and hoping for a miracle; while praying your heart out and making promises to God?

Last week’s gospel about the woman at the well has a lot in common with today’s gospel on the man born blind. First, in both cases, Jesus takes the initiative….He reaches out first.