Today, I’m going to reflect on the 2nd Reading (Hebrews 12: 1-4*) where the author is using an example from athletics to exhort his readers to keep running the race. It’s a theme that Paul uses as well. E.g., in 1 Cor 9 he says that athletes deny themselves all sorts of things in order … Continue reading Deacon Bob’s Homily on the Cloud of Witnesses
Deacon Bob
Deacon Bob’s Corpus Christi Homily
Today is Corpus Christi Sunday and we might wonder why this gospel. Why not John 6 and the Bread of Life discourse, or a Last Supper account? So, I’m going to start by trying to answer that question and then make a reflection on one thing that really hit me in this gospel. First, this … Continue reading Deacon Bob’s Corpus Christi Homily
Deacon Bob’s Homily on The Prodigal Son
"From beginning to end, the life of Jesus is His Father. It is impossible to separate Jesus from His Father. His whole life, His identity, His mission, all He does comes from His Father. And He wants that same intimate relationship for us. "
Deacon Bob on the Vocation of the Laity
Although the following is a talk that Deacon Bob gave to the Seminarians at John Paul II Seminary, it is pertinent to all... I will be speaking about the vocation of the laity and I’m going to focus on vocation in terms of our work, what we do in the world, rather than marriage and … Continue reading Deacon Bob on the Vocation of the Laity
Deacon Bob’s Homily for Word of God Sunday
This Sunday is Word of God Sunday. Pope Francis instituted this day in 2019 as a way to encourage all of us to get to know the Bible better and celebrate it. I’m going to start with a very brief history of where we got the Bible? Where did it come from? And then a … Continue reading Deacon Bob’s Homily for Word of God Sunday
Trust and Confidence
Homily by Deacon Bob The small group that I’m part of talked about these readings last week and there’s a couple of things that need explanation. In the gospel (Mk 12:38-44), Jesus speaks of scribes who devour the houses of widows and as a pretext recite lengthy prayers. Scribes were experts and teachers of the … Continue reading Trust and Confidence
Facing Storms by Deacon Bob
Over the years I’ve taken several theology classes and on occasion I’ve read a scripture scholar who will say that the belief that Jesus is God is a later development. It’s in John’s gospel because that’s a later gospel, but it’s not in the earlier gospels, the synoptic gospels. In those gospels, Jesus is just … Continue reading Facing Storms by Deacon Bob
Seith Family’s Year in Review 2023
Dear Family and Friends, For the Seith Family, 2023 started much like any other year, full of the ups and downs to which we've grown accustomed. Starting 2023 on a high note in February, Joni unexpectedly had her book, Pain of Grace: Living and Suffering with Dignity, which she’s been working on for the past … Continue reading Seith Family’s Year in Review 2023
God Keeps His Promise (Deacon Bob’s Homily from the 4th Sunday of Advent)
In today’s gospel (Luke 1:26-38), we see the fulfillment of the promise made to David that we read about in the first reading. I’d like to reflect a little bit on the promises of God. I think it’s safe to say that all of us to some extent govern our lives according to God’s promises. … Continue reading God Keeps His Promise (Deacon Bob’s Homily from the 4th Sunday of Advent)
Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25)
A Homily by Deacon Bob... This is one of those gospel passages that has really good news, and really bad news. I’m going to end with the really good news. First, I want to talk about the guy who buried his talent. Notice that this guy ends up in hell not because he broke one … Continue reading Parable of the Talents (Matt. 25)
Pain of Grace 