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 toge…

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 …

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 oth…

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…

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 …

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 rea…

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!By Robert Sawicki

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.By Robert Sawicki

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,…

Today begins Holy Week. I pray that you have had a prayerful, holy, and meaningful Lent, and that God brings you closer to Him even more during this solemn and sacred week. 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 Christi…

As we approach the final week of Lent, we see that things are changing in the Scriptures and hopefully we can see things changing in our lives, in our souls. Of course, we realize we are not the ones responsible for the change, but God is. We simply have to agree. Easier said than done, isn’t it? Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary…

We are now officially in the season of Spring, when the weather begins to warm and flowers and trees begin to be reborn. It is the season of re-creation. Lent is also a Spring of re-creation. Do we see the story of salvation in the coming of Spring? Do we also see it in the various historical stories in the Bible? Note that Scripture readings are f…

As we go deeper into Lent this year, our Scripture readings are going deeper as well. Today we have some pretty complex readings and commentary, so let’s get right in to it. 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…

The Scriptures today ask us to open our eyes to the mysteries of God and of creation. From the wonder of the stars in the sky that Abraham saw, to the Glory of God that Peter, James, and John saw on the mountaintop, there are examples of so many things that are often hidden from our sight. What is God revealing to us today in the Scriptures? Note t…

Man shall not live by bread alone. We’ve all heard that many times. How do we live that? We hear in the readings for the first Sunday of Lent about the temptation of Jesus in the desert. How does He resist, and even counter, temptation? What can we learn about our own struggles from Him in this story? Note that Scripture readings are from the Lecti…

The language used in Scripture is often poetic, or symbolic. It isn’t always easy for us to understand, in these days of science and computers. But the truth revealed is equally true, whether expressed in analogue or digital form. Let’s see if today’s readings and commentary can help us bridge the two. Note that Scripture readings are from the Lect…

Making decisions can be hard. We have the Word of God in Scripture and in Jesus’ own words to guide us, but how do we interpret those? What are our motivations, and what are the circumstances of our decisions? We hear about a decision David made today that may seem confusing to some, and we hear Jesus talk about turning the other cheek. Does he alw…

Blessing and curses. Life and death. Water and desert. Scripture uses many different contrasts to describe the Kingdom of Heaven, and makes it clear that we are to choose our own path. God gives us our free will. How will we use it? Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America…

Today we hear two different calls from God, first to Isaiah, second to Peter and his fellow fishermen. The details of the experience are very different, but the reactions are very similar…awe and wonder, and humility. And the results are similar also: evangelization. How do we respond when we hear God’s call? How should we respond? How can we do an…

If you happened to look at a calendar for liturgical year, you would see that today, February 2, 2025, is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. Dr. Kreeft’s book for Cycle C, which we are in this year, does not have a reading or commentary for the Feast of the Presentation! It does, however, have readings and commentary for the 4th Sunday in O…

Last week, we heard the beginning of Jesus public ministry with the miracle at the wedding at Cana. From there, He goes back to his home town of Nazareth, where He proclaims to the people in the Synagogue that He has begun the work of salvation. Their response was less than enthusiastic. How do we respond to Jesus when He speaks to us and tells us …

As we begin the season known as Ordinary Time, we hear the Gospel of the Wedding at Cana, also known as the beginning of Jesus public ministry. Mary has a role in the story, and we hear Jesus’ first miracle, which shows His concern for the everyday things of our lives. Let’s hear the Scripture and commentary. Note that Scripture readings are from t…

We are all beloved creatures of God; by our Baptism, we become more than His beloved creation, we become His children. Jesus was born of Mary and became one like us, yet His sonship with the Father was revealed in His baptism. Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, seco…

Today marks the day we celebrate the revelation of Our Lord’s birth to the Magi, and by extension, to all the gentiles, which of course, includes us. The gifts of the Wise Men represent Jesus’ Lordship, His Divinity, and His death. Quite an interesting combination of characteristics! Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for…

Today we contemplate the relationship between Mary and the Holy Trinity. The Catholic teachings on Mary are often misinterpreted. We do not worship Mary, we worship God alone. We do, however, honor Mary, as the Mother of Our Lord, and our mother too. Let’s think more deeply about her motherhood as we listen to Scripture and commentary. Note that Sc…

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. Dr. Kreeft begins with a reflection on family before he comments on the Scripture readings. Family is the foundation of a stable society, and as such is a target of the evil forces that seek to draw us away from God. Let’s hear what Scripture says and what Dr. Kreeft has to say about it. Note that Scripture re…

Today, we have not one, but 4 Christmas Mass readings! I will read each of them separately so you can choose which one you plan to attend, and listen to that one, or, feel free to listen to one of the others, or even all of them if you so choose! This particular reflection is for the Christmas Mass During the Day. Note that Scripture readings are f…

Today, we have not one, but 4 Christmas Mass readings! I will read each of them separately so you can choose which one you plan to attend, and listen to that one, or, feel free to listen to one of the others, or even all of them if you so choose! This particular reflection is for the Christmas Mass at Dawn. Note that Scripture readings are from the…

Today, we have not one, but 4 Christmas Mass readings! I will read each of them separately so you can choose which one you plan to attend, and listen to that one, or, feel free to listen to one of the others, or even all of them if you so choose This particular reflection is for the Christmas Mass at Night. In the old days, I think we used to call …

Today, we have not one, but 4 Christmas Mass readings! I will read each of them separately so you can choose which one you plan to attend, and listen to that one, or, feel free to listen to one of the others, or even all of them if you so choose! This particular reflection is for the Vigil Mass. Note that Scripture readings are from the Lectionary …

By Robert Sawicki

As we continue to prepare for Christmas during this Advent season, we may want to take a minute to think about, what is it that we are preparing for? The coming of Jesus, of course, and our Salvation. What exactly does that mean? What is it that God is promising to give us? We’ll hear about that and more in today’s Scripture and Commentary for the …

We are now in to the third season of this podcast, and as I have done at the beginning of each other season, today I will be talking about how I came up with the title of Bob’s Beanfield. If you’ve heard it before, you can feel free to skip this episode, but you might just want to listen again. Like so many stories, you may just hear something diff…

When we talk about Advent and Lent, we think of these two liturgical seasons as penitential. That’s why we have the priests wearing purple, why our churches are decorated in a more subdued tone. Yet, they are both seasons of waiting and anticipating. We all could use a little more of the childlike anticipation of Christmas that children have. In to…

Today we begin Advent, our celebration of anticipation of the coming of Christ at Christmas. Dr. Kreeft points out to us that there are three times Christ has or will come….the first, 2000 years ago in Bethlehem, the third will be at the end of time, and the second is to us in the here and now. How do we anticipate all three of them? We talked a bi…

Happy New Year!!! Today, we begin a new Liturgical Year, and with it we begin with a new cycle of readings for Sundays and Holy Days. To kick off the New Year, we’ll listen to the introduction to Dr. Kreeft’s book, “Food for the Soul”, Reflections on the Mass Readings for Cycle C . If you’re a long time listener, you may find that this year’s intro…

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 …

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 readi…

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 f…

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 Le…

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 …

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 i…

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 r…

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 o…

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 trut…

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 …

Today’s readings show great contrasts. We first hear of the suffering servant in Isaiah, then in the Gospel we hear Peter’s proclamation of Jesus as the Messiah. It seems to us as humans, with our limited understanding, that suffering is bad, yet Jesus CHOSE to suffer for us, and as we hear, God brings good out of ALL things, including suffering, f…

We hear today one of the many times that the Scripture says “do not be afraid”. In the context of the readings today, this is directed toward our needs. Do we need to be healed? Do we need forgiveness? Are we physically or spiritually blind or deaf? We can be confident that God can and will work miracles in our lives, so we need not fear. And those…

The readings today will all come before the single reflection, as they all relate to each other nicely. We are hearing about God’s law, and man’s law. We have spent a fair amount of our time in this podcast on studying God’s law, and some also on keeping God’s law. Today, we hear about how the two must go together; neither by itself is sufficient. …

Who do you serve? Who is the real boss of your life? Who is it that you turn to when things get hard? Do you find the easy answer and go the way of the majority, of the opinions and whims of the current social norms? Or do you follow the Lord, and like Peter, realize that He has the words of eternal life? Will we follow Him even when it seems hard?…