I have to say that when I read this gospel and started doing some research at one point I got really scared. I’ve since calmed down, but there’s no question that this parable can be challenging for us middle-class Americans. I’m going to share a few comments about the gospel and then talk about how … Continue reading Deacon Bob Tackles a Tough One
Deacon Bob
Take a Back Seat
Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:1, 4:14) On the surface, Jesus’s parable sounds like a lesson in good etiquette. It’s good advice to win the esteem of others. But the commentators point out there’s more to it than that. This is really about … Continue reading Take a Back Seat
Deacon Bob on Prayer
I remember Fr. Groeschel once described petitionary prayer as ‘how do I get God to do what I want’. So, I’m going to do a little catechesis on prayer of petition, and I have 3 points. First, God wants us to pray for ourselves. Some people never pray for themselves because they think it’s selfish. … Continue reading Deacon Bob on Prayer
Deacon Bob’s Divine Mercy Sunday Homily
Today we celebrate the feast of Divine Mercy. We owe this feast day first to Jesus who wanted it, then to Saint Faustina who was the one He chose to make His desire known, and finally to Pope St. John Paul II who promoted this feast. In fact, he said from the beginning of his … Continue reading Deacon Bob’s Divine Mercy Sunday Homily
First Saturday Devotion and Russia
The five First Saturdays Devotion requested by Our Lady of Fatima is connected to the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. July 1917 apparition. At this apparition, Our Lady showed hell to the children. Afterward, she said “You have seen hell where the souls of poor sinners go. To save them, God … Continue reading First Saturday Devotion and Russia
Spiritual Growth Requires Training
(Deacon Bob's Homily for the 8th Sunday Cycle C) I want to look at 2 points in today’s gospel. The first is how absolutely essential it is that we bear good fruit, and the second is the importance of training for our spiritual growth. A few months ago, a very popular psychologist, Dr. Jordan Peterson … Continue reading Spiritual Growth Requires Training
Do you know I love you”? (Homily by Deacon Bob)
We have turned one of our bedrooms into a little chapel and at the beginning of this week as I was walking back to my room to go to bed as I walked past the chapel, I felt I heard the Lord say, come in for a minute. So, I did and as I knelt … Continue reading Do you know I love you”? (Homily by Deacon Bob)
Strong in Faith
Deacon Bob's Homily (11/28/2021) The theme I see in today’s readings is the need to be strong in our faith, so we are always prepared for Jesus. Twice in today’s gospel Jesus says essentially the same thing: when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand. and, pray … Continue reading Strong in Faith
Threat of Totalitarianism
I want to speak today about freedom in Christ. I’m going to begin with a message that I found extremely powerful from Bishop Barren in his talk “The Threat of Totalitarianism”. Totalitarianism is the dominance of the entire society by the arbitrary will of those in power. He starts with a quote from a 20th … Continue reading Threat of Totalitarianism
Bad Shepherds
Before I get into the subject of my homily, I need to comment on the Motu Proprio that Pope Francis issued on Friday (July 18, 2021) which seriously restricts the Traditional Latin Mass. This is going to be very hard for those Catholics who are even more traditional than us and who love the Latin … Continue reading Bad Shepherds
Pain of Grace 