Bob's Beanfield

Today as we continue in the Easter Season, we hear about a dramatic change of heart, namely, that of Saul, who becomes the great Apostle Paul. Have you ever been on the wrong path? Barreling down the road only to realize you were heading in the wrong direction? I sure have. And typically when I do, I turn around as soon as I can, and then start heading the correct way, as fast as I possibly can. Our spiritual lives are often like that. Have you ever told someone that Christ was a big part of your life? Well, if so, guess what? You're going the wrong direction. Christ is NOT a PART of our life, He IS our life, our whole life. That's why we are the branches on His vine.

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 have all heard the parable of the Good Shepherd many times, and the 23rd Psalm which starts out "The Lord is my Shepherd". We've probably all done a little bit of thinking about what this means, especially since none of us listening to this podcast are probably literal shepherds (but I guess you never know!). Today, we hear in our Old Testament readings and Psalm about how God is often very surprising. So as we listen to those readings AND the parable of the Good Shepherd, I'd encourage us all to keep that in mind. How does God want to surprise YOU 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.

I have always wondered what it would have been like to be an Apostle or Disciple in the days after the Resurrection. Those days, viewed from 2000 years in the future, seem like they would have been both very confusing and very interesting. Jesus understands our confusion, and His actions between the Resurrection and the Ascension help us to have a better grasp of exactly what it is that is happening, and why, and how we should respond. Let us listen to some of that story and commentary on it now.

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 celebration of the Easter Season last far beyond the actual day of Easter itself, just as Christmas is celebrated long after December 25. Today, we also have the joy of celebrating a relatively new feast, that of Divine Mercy. If you are not familiar with the devotion to Divine Mercy, I would encourage you to read more about St. Faustina Kowalska, to whom Jesus appeared to give us assurance that His Mercy was and always will be greater than our sins. Let us remember to ask for that Mercy always!

Dr. Kreeft gives us two different reflections on the gospel reading today, which is from the end of the Gospel of John, and includes the story we often refer to as doubting Thomas. One reflection is based on that part of the story, and the other on the ending of the Gospel. The time marks are as follows:

0:00 Introduction

2:42 First Reading

3:41 Commentary on First Reading

14:14 Responsorial Psalm

15:31 Commentary on Responsorial Psalm

22:46 Second Reading

23:55 Commentary on Second Reading

28:43 Gospel

30:50 Commentary 1: on St. Thomas the Apostle

51:04 Commentary 2: on St. John's summary of his Gospel (John 20:31)

1:06:00 Conclusion

Today we celebrate the most Holy Day of the Liturgical Year. It has always been confusing to me how much less we celebrate Easter compared to Christmas. Both are high holy days, to be sure, but Easter is the culmination of thousands of years of God's preparing the human race for heaven. I suppose that part of it is that Christmas is in the winter, and we probably need something stronger to raise us from the doldrums of that deep dark season. And, of course, part of it is the way the secular world looks at the two Holy Days. So whether you've been a daily Mass-attendee or just come on Christmas and maybe Easter too, know that God loves you, and I am praying for you.

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 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.

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 begun the Sacred Triduum. The liturgies for the next three days are technically considered one liturgy: Holy Thursday is the beginning, and it ends with the Easter Vigil Mass. We will do the readings and commentaries for Holy Thursday and for Good Friday. The Easter Vigil has nine Scripture readings, and as Dr. Kreeft comments in the book, those who designed this Mass did not intend it to include also reflections on each passage, so there will not be a podcast for that part of the Triduum liturgy.

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.

When we think about Palm Sunday Mass, we probably think about two things: the Palms, and the LOONNGG gospel reading. Both are part of the liturgy every year. But I would challenge us to think about some other things today as we hear the reading and commentary. First, how can we possibly understand God? It doesn't seem to make sense for Him to save us by having Jesus die on a cross. How does that make sense? Yet, even though we don't understand Him, do we trust Him? Also, while we know that crucifixion was a horrible torture, do we really understand what Jesus was suffering? And by that, I mean that it was more than just the physical pain. We'll hear about those things in today's podcast.

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 describe the books of the Bible as being divided in to two sections. We typically call them the Old Testament and the New Testament. But another name for Testament is Covenant. I think that may be worth considering as you hear Scriptures…some of the readings come from the Old Covenant, which is not completely in effect any longer, and some come from the New Covenant, which we celebrate at each Mass.

I hope that this final week of Lent sees you as being prepared for the upcoming Holy Week, the Triduum, and ultimately for the glory of Easter.

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.

You know that relationships are hard. Of all the relationships humans enter in to, the most intimate, the most satisfying, and the most challenging, is marriage. How about our relationship with God? Well, guess what? God wants our relationship with Him to be even deeper than our human marriages. How have we responded to that proposal so far in our lives? How did the people of the Bible respond? How did God respond back?

Today we have 2 reflections on the Gospel. At the beginning of the first one is a description of what each is about. There is a timeline at the end of the show notes if you want to skip over one of the 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.

Intro 0:00

First Reading 2:44

Commentary on First Reading 5:07

Responsorial Psalm 13:43

Commentary on Psalm 14:56

Second Reading 25:46

Commentary on Second Reading 26:50

Gospel 35:55

First Commentary on Gospel 37:18

Second Commentary on Gospel 48:02

Conclusion 1:01:14