Fr. Bob’s Weekly Reflections

The gospel today contains a rubric for the Eucharist. Rubrics are directions in the official book that we use for mass. They are printed in red ink.

Dr. David Livingstone, who died in 1873, was a Scottish missionary and explorer. He spent over half of his life serving in Africa.

In April of 1986, two gray-haired men greeted each other in Tokyo’s airport. Both men had tears in their eyes, one man was an American named Ponich.

Peter and Andrew had just finished their daily work of fishing. They were stretching their nets so they will dry in the sun.

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.