Category Archives: Ethics and Morality

Deacon Bob’s Homily for the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 2004

Posted on September 7, 2024 by Deacon Bob

Here is my homily for the weekend. God bless all! 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B Isaiah 35:4-7a; James 2:1-5; Mk 7:31-37 September 7/8, 2024 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf … Continue reading →

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Deacon Bob’s Homily 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle A

Posted on October 1, 2023 by Deacon Bob

Here is my homily for the weekend. God bless all of you! 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle A September 30/October 1, 2023 Ezekiel 18: 25-28; Phil 2: 1-11; Matthew 21: 28-32 Today’s Gospel parable should evoke a deep response … Continue reading →

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Deacon Bob’s Homily for the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

Posted on November 6, 2022 by Deacon Bob

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C November 5/6, 2022 2 Maccabees 7:1-2, 9-14; 2 Thes 2:16-3:5; Luke 20:27-38 The first reading today is a rather harrowing account of a mother witnessing the torture and death of her seven sons, … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Deacon Bob

“Violence is unworthy of man. Violence is a lie, for it goes against the truth of our faith, the truth of our humanity. Violence destroys what it claims to defend: the dignity, the life, the freedom of human beings. Violence … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, General Interest, Popes, Saints and Prophets, Social Doctrine of the Church | 1 Comment

The Politics of Muddy Thinking

Posted on December 24, 2013 by Deacon Bob

One of my fellow bloggers, Deacon Scott Dodge in Salt Lake City, has written a wonderful post www.scottdodge.blogspot.com on the same-sex marriage issue that is threatening to engulf us all. I encourage you to link over and read it. Deacon Dodge … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Fundamental Theology, Homosexuality, Human Rights, Marriage and Family, Politics | Comments Off on The Politics of Muddy Thinking

The Difference Between Sin and Corruption

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Deacon Bob

Pope Francis had some strong and interesting comments this morning at his daily Mass at the Vatican’s Santa Marta during which he spoke of sin, forgiveness and corruption. He made a distinction between sin and corruption of which I hadn’t … Continue reading →

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Quote for the Day

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Deacon Bob

“… we have lost the sense of fraternal responsibility; we have fallen into the hypocritical attitude of the priest and of the servant of the altar that Jesus speaks about in the parable of the Good Samaritan: We look upon … Continue reading →

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Covert Euthanasia

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Deacon Bob

The manner in which we care for our elderly, especially in health care, is something about which I get rather passionate. Most of my extended family have heard me go on a heated monologue about the manner in which the … Continue reading →

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To Shepherd Well

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Deacon Bob

The Office of Readings in the recent past offered for our reflection the theme of being a good shepherd, which I would summarize as meaning looking out for the good of the people without concern for our own status, places … Continue reading →

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The HHS Mandate vs a Family Business

Posted on August 4, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Here is a story of things to come if the HHS mandate requiring employers to provide insurance coverage for abortion, contraception and sterilization (regardless of the employers religious beliefs) is allowed to remain. I think this court case is going … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethics and Morality, Human Development and Life, Politics, Religious Freedom | 8 Comments

Truth, Satan, and Church Unity

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Deacon Bob

I was asked to preach both last night and this morning. The Gospel readings for Mass the past couple of days were taken from St. John’s Gospel and the account of Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples. Two very beautiful … Continue reading →

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Georgetown and Kathleen Sebelius

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Deacon Bob

You may have heard in the press recently that Georgetown University, a Jesuit institution, has invited the Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, to speak at one of its commencement ceremonies in the near future. Kathleen Sebelius, although … Continue reading →

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The Power of Forgiveness and the Beauty of Life

Posted on April 20, 2012 by Deacon Bob

I viewed the film October Baby last night after being alerted it was showing in the local theater. What I found was a well-made movie that was strongly pro-life, pro-woman, pro-family. It was remarkably engaging and respectful. It was a … Continue reading →

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Update #2 – “Has Europe Lost Its Soul?”

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Deacon Bob

Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathon Sacks delved into the morality of today’s economic crisis. Just as corporations have become international and have outsourced jobs and manufacturing, so too, he argues, they have outsourced moral responsibility, i.e., the attitude that “it is someone elses problem,” … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Ethics and Morality | 1 Comment

My Bishop’s Letter to all the Faithful in the Diocese of Winona

Posted on February 5, 2012 by Deacon Bob

(This is a transcript of the letter that was read in parishes of the diocese of Winona today regarding the Department of Health and Human Services mandate that strikes at the heart of religious liberty and the sanctity of conscience. … Continue reading →

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