Give God Permission - The Fr. Bob Podcast

*Note: This clip of Fr. Bob is from his TV show that was hosted on Food for Life. There will be no podcast for the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time. The Lord calls people to follow him and take up tasks that he has in mind. This is the normal way that God deals with people. He will inspire you! Why do we fight the will of God? The will of God works and it’s the only thing worth doing. This is a public...

The 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Jesus has a way of entering into our burdens and taking them away, or healing them all together, or picking them up and carrying most of them. Jesus wants us to know him first of all. Knowing him and being strengthened by him can help bring meaning. *This homily was originally given at St. Mary’s Parish in Ottawa, ON on July 8, 1990. This is a public episode. If yo...

The 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time The Gospel is alive now. It isn’t just a historical record; it’s not just a historical document. It’s not just stories and records. It’s a living word, something that is going on now. The Gospel is alive today! God’s power is available now, just as it was during the resurrection. Jesus is risen from the dead now. Jesus called people to make the commitment to follow...

The 12 Sunday in Ordinary Time Being well fathered is a deep human need. It is the father who gives identity to his children. He’s got to relate to his children, affirm them, and correct them when they need correcting. His children need attention and care from him. We all have a Father in Heaven who is close to us. One of Jesus’ main tasks was to reveal his Father, our Father. Our Father is the cr...

*Note: This clip of Fr. Bob is from his TV show that was hosted on Food for Life. There will be no podcast for the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time. When we proclaim the Good News some people will respond. That’s the way God works. He’s told us to do this and he intends to back it up. Evangelization is a three step process: * We proclaim * The listener responds * The Lord intervenes It’s something tha...

What does it mean that Jesus left himself in the Eucharist, in the Blessed Sacrament? Why has God done that? He did it because he loves us and he wants to be with us. He loves us. One of the deepest problems we have as humans is that we don’t like ourselves. God knows us just the way we are. There is nothing hidden from him. He knows our past. He knows the whole thing and he loves us anyway. That’...

Trinity Sunday (Year A) Each person of the Trinity has a distinct role. * The Father is the boss. His will matters. * Jesus is the bridge between us and the Father. Through Jesus, we are able to get to the Father. * The Holy Spirit’s role is to get things done. Each person of the Trinity has different and distinct roles. Yet, they are perfectly one in perfect harmony. The Holy Spirit will teach yo...

Pentecost Sunday (Year A) We can make the mistake of thinking that the Pentecost experience was strictly for that one day. The Pentecost experience is for every day. It is to be an ongoing reality within the Church. The Holy Spirit that blew into the upper room is still around. He’s still able to do all kinds of things. The Church needs the Holy Spirit. What about you? What do you think you need m...

Ascension Sunday - The 7th Sunday of Easter (Year A) Jesus had to ascend so we could have the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings conviction and a desire to do the Lord’s work. When we have the Holy Spirit, the Lord’s work isn’t boring anymore. It is enlivening and exciting. We celebrate Pentecost next week. Ask the Lord for the Holy Spirit. Ask the Lord to baptise you with the Holy Spirit. *This...

The 6th Sunday of Easter (Year A) The Holy Spirit is an advocate, one who takes up our cause and works for us. The Holy Spirit is an integral part of the Father’s plan. He’s important! He’s not a bonus. He’s not a prize. He’s not an extra. He’s not for pious people only or for one segment of people. He is for all people. His main purpose is to work among us filling our hearts with the fire of God....

The 5th Sunday of Easter (Year A) We need to praise God. It is good for us to praise God. If we don’t give praise to God, we are in danger of forgetting who we are. We will begin to think that we are in charge, that we are in control. This is the biggest problem in the world. We have taken control. God wants to be in charge. When we praise God, we are continually reminded that God is in charge. Pr...

The 4th Sunday of Easter - Good Shepherd Sunday God is always calling. He is capable of communicating. It’s not complicated to hear the call of the Lord. He has plans for you and for me. It’s in tuning into his plan that we become the people of joy and peace. Total Abandonment We hear the Lord’s word through total abandonment. Give him your heart. Turn everything over to the Lord. Tell him you’ll...

The 3rd Sunday of Easter (Year A) Jesus wants us to pick up on a few things from today’s Gospel: * The Lord wants to come in. He wants to be the centre of our lives. He knows that’s how we were made. However, he doesn’t push himself in. He waits for an invitation. * Jesus has the capacity to reveal himself to us. * The revelation of Jesus took place at the table during the breaking of the bread. I...

Divine Mercy Sunday - 2nd Sunday of Easter (Year A) The Lord wants to give people his mercy. He’s always ready to give us a break. It doesn’t depend on his mood. God is always merciful. Mercy is his effective desire to dispose all circumstances so that everyone can come to know his love and his power in their lives. The Lord is ready to touch our lives. He wants a relationship with us. Open your h...

Easter Sunday (Year A) We’re celebrating God’s intervention in human affairs. God chose to change the definition of death from something that is an end to something that is a doorway leading to an incredible fullness of life. We celebrate triumph, victory, and conquest. The tomb couldn’t hold him. The grave was not strong enough to keep him in. Jesus the Son of God, we celebrate his rising from th...

Good Friday (Year A) What is an appropriate response to Jesus’ death on the cross? Give away your life for the one who gave away his life for you. “Jesus, you have given your life for me. So, I will do the same for you. I will give my life for you.” *This homily was originally given at St. Mary’s Parish in Ottawa, ON on April 9, 1993. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this wit...

The 3rd Sunday of Lent (Year A) Sin is the problem. Jesus wasn’t afraid to name it. If we’re in sin, we need to get out of it and get straight with God. We do that by the Sacrament of Confession. The Sacrament of Confession is extremely important. It is a marvellous thing, something that the Holy Spirit has inspired over the centuries. *This homily was originally given at St. Mary’s Parish in Otta...

The 2nd Sunday of Lent (Year A) The Lord is ready to touch our lives in concrete and tangible ways. God will touch your life if you let him. He wants you to have things to report. All you have to do is allow him to intervene in your life. He wants us to be attentive, ready, and faithful. *This homily was originally given at St. Mary’s Parish in Ottawa, ON on March 15, 1987. This is a public episod...

God wants to be present to us. He wants to be at work in our lives. But, he can only work in our lives if we give him permission. He never quits. He never backs down. He never stops trying to break through. He continues to try to get the truth of his Word across to everybody. Are we still willing to give the Lord the green light to do what he wants to do in our lives? *This homily was originally g...