Bob's Beanfield

Today is the last day of the Liturgical Year, and this is the last episode of this season of Bob's Beanfield. Next week, we'll begin a new cycle of readings, cycle C, which uses primarily readings from Luke. This past year, cycle B, has been mostly the Gospel of Mark. It is fitting that we close the year with this feast, where we acknowledge Jesus Christ as the King of the Universe. Have we truly accepted that fact? Do we live that way? Let's consider this 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. Commentary copyright Peter Kreeft, published by Word on Fire, used with permission.

It's hard to believe that this is the last Sunday in Ordinary Time for this year! Next week is the feast of Christ the King, then in two weeks, it is the first week of Advent! Where does the time go? I'm sure many of you wonder the same thing, and especially as we get older, time does seem to go faster. Sooner or later, time will run out. The readings for the next two weeks talk about that, but they also describe how no one knows the day or the hour. So many people seem to be focused on "end times prophecies", as though they've somehow figured out how to predict the future. Today, we hear how we must be always ready, but that it is not for us to know. Let us live each day to the fullest, as if it could be our last…because one day, it will be.

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. Commentary copyright Peter Kreeft, published by Word on Fire, used with permission.

Scholars talk about the various ways to read Scripture. There is a literal sense, an allegorical sense, etc. How do the realities and literal events point to deeper, spiritual truth? In today's readings, we'll hear some examples of these stories and learn some of their deeper meanings.

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. Commentary copyright Peter Kreeft, published by Word on Fire, used with permission.

Who is God? What is God? Deep questions, deep reflections. Every day as Christians, we pray the Our Father, because one of the answers to these questions is that God is Our Father. Jews pray the Shema daily, which reveals other truths about God. Let's hear these truths in today's 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. Commentary copyright Peter Kreeft, published by Word on Fire, used with permission.

The idea of eternity is hard to understand. We live in time, so we tend to think of it as an unending progression of the days we now live. The Bible tells us that God lives outside of time, that all things are present to Him at once. How do we see that? Right now, in this life, are we blind to that reality? Can we ask God for our sight, to be able to see that? Let's hear about these topics in our readings and commentary for today!

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. Commentary copyright Peter Kreeft, published by Word on Fire, used with permission.

Our faith and our Scripture are full of paradoxes. How can Jesus be both fully human and fully divine? How do we satisfy justice yet still show mercy? How can the last be first and the first be last? It takes a lot to understand these, and even the apostles didn't get it right at first. Yet we see so much symbolism in the stories of Jesus that it is impossible to deny the paradoxes are true. Let's hear about some of them in today's scriptures 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. Commentary copyright Peter Kreeft, published by Word on Fire, used with permission.

Wisdom is a complicated thing. We have heard that God's foolishness, and of course foolishness is the opposite of wisdom, is wiser that the wisest of human wisdom. Yet God also tells us that if we desire wisdom, all we need do is ask. Let's ask for a taste of His wisdom today as we hear the Scriptures and commentary for today!

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. Commentary copyright Peter Kreeft, published by Word on Fire, used with permission.

Today we learn about God's plan for human beings as Family. There seems to be a lot of confusion about what that means in secular society these days, but for thousands of years, human beings did not have the misunderstandings we seem to have today. What is God's plan, and His truth about family? Let's listen to the readings and commentary to find out!

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. Commentary copyright Peter Kreeft, published by Word on Fire, used with permission.

How well do we really know ourselves? Do we sometimes try to ignore some of the deepest parts of our souls? We hear today about our "unknown faults"…if we don't know about them, how can they be faults or sins? And how does Jesus help us take care of them? Can we give them up to Him so that He can deal with them? We'll hear about this and other truths in today's Scripture and reflections!

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. Commentary copyright Peter Kreeft, published by Word on Fire, used with permission.

We hear today about how wicked people will often try to corrupt good people, probably at least partially to help justify their own wickedness. We contrast that with the wisdom of God, both in terms of self-sacrifice and in humility. The teachings are rich today, so let's hear what God is trying to 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 Doctrine, Inc., used with permission. Commentary copyright Peter Kreeft, published by Word on Fire, used with permission.