Pondering with Prompts
Fr. Bob helps prepare you for the upcoming weekend liturgy through these thought-provoking prompts based on Gospel readings.
In Preparation for Feb. 4, 2024
Lead in #1: Mark 1:29-39 gives us a good picture of what might have been a typical day in the busy life of Jesus. After a request for a home visit to a sick in-law, later that day they bring to Jesus all who were ill or possessed by demons. As his disciples, the...
In Preparation for Jan. 21, 2024
Lead in: The people recognize in Jesus someone who spoke like one with authority and not like the scribes and Pharisees. But it was the tormented spirit in the man possessed who recognizes in Jesus a power that he did not see in the Scribes and Pharisees. It was a...
In Preparation for Jan. 7, 2024
Lead in: The magi were scholars of the imperialreligion of Persia who were known for their ability to read the stars. Determined to find what it is they were searching for, they followed their “Christmas star” to the place where the child and its mother were found....
In Preparation for Jan. 14, 2024
Lead in: In John 1:35 when Jesus saw the two disciples of John following him, he turned and said to them, “What are you looking for?” Prompt: If Jesus were to ask you that question, how would you answer him? Lead in: When two disciples asked him where he was staying,...
Homily – Dec. 31, 2023
Lead #1: In Sirach 3, the image of the fruitful vine speaks to the health and happiness a family enjoys when life is going well. But as we know, family life does not always come that easy. Misfortune and tragedy can strike at any time. The Holy Family of Jesus,...
In Preparation for Dec. 17, 2023
Lead in: The moon is not the light. It reflects the light of the sun. In the same way, John was not the light. He reflected the light of the one to come. Like John the Baptist, we can be a light that dispels the darkness. Prompt: As you go about your life, where do...
December 24, 2023
Lead in: The angel appeared to Mary and said, “Hail full of grace. The Lord is with you.” Luke 1:28 In other words, Mary, you are full of grace. The beauty of the Lord shines through you. What if we could see that in ourselves, that we too are full of grace and the...
In preparation for August 27, 2023
Lead in: Jesus was aware that people were speculating about who he might be. Some were thinking he was John the Baptist or some other prophet from of old. So, Jesus pressed the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” It was Peter who spoke up, “You’re the Christ, the...
In Preparation for August 6, 2023
Matthew 17:1-9 August 6, 2023 Lead in #1: What happened on the mountain that day is about more than Jesus being transfigured. As Peter, James, and John came to recognize the glory of the transfigured Christ, so can we come to recognize the more subtle hidden...
In Preparation for July 16, 2023
Matthew 13:1-23 July 16, 2023 Lead in #1: When the crowds would press in on Jesus, a favorite mode of escape was a boat. Such is the case in Matthew 13. The crowds were pressing in, and a boat is his getaway plan. Then, once on the water the boat becomes his pulpit...