Bob's Beanfield

Are you comfortable? I don't mean, are you sitting in a comfortable chair listening to this podcast, but do you have creature comforts? Like a warm home, food to eat, a bank account. Those things are good, but do they distract us from what is most important? Do we ignore the needs around us because we don't want to see them? Today's readings are challenging. Let's listen. Note that Scripture readi...

Today we hear about honesty, and the relationship between God, people, and things. Have you ever been tempted to cheat "just a little"? Or to tell a "white lie"? How does God view this? How do we order these rightly, namely God above all, and people above things? Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical ed...

Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. Again, there are no readings in the usual cycle for this feast, so we will hear the readings meant for the 24 th Sunday in Ordinary Time, which will most likely NOT be what you hear at Mass this week. But I think it's worth hearing them and the commentary! Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses o...

There are many Scripture readings that remind us that God's wisdom is far beyond ours. We have difficulty understanding earthly things, how can we understand God? Yet, He asks us also to trust in Him, and give everything over to Him. Easier said than done! Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition,...

It seems to me that the theme of all the readings for today is Humility. And I am humble enough to admit that my words and thoughts are not what this podcast is about, so let's dive right in! Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition, Copyright Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., used with pe...

Many words in the English language carry different and sometimes contradicting meanings, depending on the context. One of those words is Discipline. It can have a negative connotation, like when parents have to discipline their children, or positive connotations when we discipline ourselves to a task such as a sport. And I suspect that the word Disciple has the same roots as the word discipline. T...

You'll want to listen carefully to today's readings if you've ever used the expression that you were "Stuck in the mud". I am pretty sure most if not all of us have felt stuck in the mud at one time or another in our lives. Sometimes we get there because of other people or circumstances, but we also find ourselves there from our own choices and decisions. What happens then? Does Jesus give us peac...

There is a contrast between faith and fear that comes to light in today's readings and commentary. Let us proceed with confidence and faith as we hear the readings and commentary! Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition, Copyright Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., used with permission. Co...

Today is all about detachment from the things of this world, passing things, and attachment to God. I think we all know these truths in our heads, but how do we bridge that longest of gaps, the distance between our heads and our hearts? Pray about that today as you hear the readings and commentary! Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United...

There is a lot to think about in today's readings. We have the story of Abraham trying to save Sodom if only there are 10 righteous people there; we have Paul telling us about Baptism, and we have Jesus teaching us to pray. How should we respond to these stories? Let the Holy Spirit guide your heart as we listen to the Scripture and Commentary. Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary...

When we encounter God, what is our response? Do we listen carefully? Do we try to do something to serve Him? Or both? We hear the reactions of Abraham and Mary and Martha today. How are they different? How are they similar? Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition, Copyright Confraternity of Christ...

Who is Jesus Christ? Who is God? And who is my neighbor? All questions that Scripture talks about in today's readings. You might try answering them first for yourself, then hear what the readings and commentary tell us. Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition, Copyright Confraternity of Christian...

What will heaven be like? As it says in Scripture, Eye has not seen and ear has not heard. That doesn't keep us from imagining it, and we hear part of Isaiah's vision of it in our first reading. In the Gospel, Jesus sends his disciples out to cast out demons. How do we respond to temptation today? What can we learn from today's readings and commentary? Note that Scripture readings are from the Lec...

Today is one of those days where the Liturgical Calendar is different this year than most others. We celebrate Sts. Peter and Paul today, yet there is no Sunday readings in the Cycle for that feast. Consequently, the readings you hear at Mass will not correspond to what I'm going to present to you today. Since there is nothing in Dr. Kreeft's book for today, and next week is the 14 th Sunday in Or...

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, or Corpus Christi. This term can refer to both the Eucharist AND the Church, which is often referred to as the Body of Christ. Like last Sunday, the Feast of the Holy Trinity, today's readings and commentary delve in to mysteries that are deep and often confusing. Let's hear God's Word. Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectiona...

I recently heard someone ask the question, "What is the central mystery of the Catholic faith?" The answer, of course, is the Holy Trinity. Today we celebrate and contemplate that mystery. Let us enter in to the readings and commentary in the spirit of mystery and faith, and find the treasures God intends for us this day. Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the...

Happy Birthday! Pentecost is often referred to as the birthday of the Church. It is the day when the Holy Spirit came, and Jesus Himself has left us gifts for our birthday! Let's hear about them in today's readings. Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition, Copyright Confraternity of Christian Doct...

When Jesus ascended in to heaven, He gave the Apostles a job. This is sometimes referred to as the "Great Commission", where Jesus commissions us to spread His Word. But He also refers to the coming of the Holy Spirit, to give them and us the power to do this work. He continues to strengthen us with the Sacraments. Let's hear how this all fits together in today's readings. Note that Scripture read...

Throughout salvation history, God has been revealing Himself to us. First God the Father in the Old Testament, then Jesus Christ, God the Son, in the New Testament, then the Holy Spirit in the Church itself. How is that manifest? Where do we see or hear the Holy Spirit these days? And how will it be in heaven? Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of...

Jesus gave us everything on the Cross. He loved us that much. Do we love Him that much? If we give Him everything, what do we get in return? In the readings today, we hear about the New Jerusalem. What exactly is that, where does it come from, and what does that mean for us? Listen now to the readings and commentary for the answers to these and other questions! Note that Scripture readings are fro...

How do love and suffering connect? Do we have to suffer if we love? How do we reconcile Jesus' love and His suffering? In today's Scriptures, we hear how the Apostle Paul and his companions suffered, and how they were then filled with joy as a result. How does that happen? We know Jesus suffered and loved, and so then the Apostles did as well. What does that mean for us?  Note that Scripture readi...

Today's readings continue the post-Resurrection story of "what now?". Jesus has risen from the dead, and the Apostles are still confused about what to do. One view of today's Gospel is that Peter says "I'm going fishing" as a way to say he doesn't know what else to do, so he'll go back to what he's always done. Another way to look at it is that he was feeling unworthy of Jesus' call and Ministry....

Last week, we celebrated the culmination of Salvation history, the Resurrection of Jesus. What happens now? What's next? Is it all downhill from there? Hardly. While Jesus is the fullness of revelation, He continues to work through us, and in the case of the readings for this week, through the Apostles, even when they doubt. Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in...

He is Risen! Alleluia! Today is the Holiest of all the Holy Days of the Liturgical Year, and today we can once again use the "A" word, Alleluia, which we do not use during Lent. Let the joy of the Resurrection fill your heart today and throughout the Easter Season!

Today we continue the Sacred Triduum with the liturgy of Good Friday of the Lord's Passion. Let us continue to be prayerful as we walk with Jesus.