by Fr. Jim Scullion OFM | Sep 29, 2023 | Friar Reflection
Today is the feast of the angels Michael, Gabriel, and Raphael. Angels function as messengers and mediators between God and humans. Sometimes they function as “accuser” or prosecuting attorney as we hear in today’s first reading from the Book of Revelation: “Now...
by Fr. Jim Scullion OFM | Sep 28, 2023 | Friar Reflection
We have all heard the saying “Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today.” The prophet Haggai in today’s first reading challenges some of his fellow Jews who have put off the work of rebuilding the Temple. “The time has not yet come to rebuild the...
by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Sep 27, 2023 | Friar Reflection
The first readings for the beginning of this week are taken from the Book of Ezra – a book that might not be familiar to you. Here is “the big picture”: The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah are two of the historical books of the Old Testament that tell the story of...
by Fr. George Corrigan OFM | Sep 26, 2023 | Friar Reflection
In yesterday’s first reading we read that King Cyrus of Persia has freed the Israelites from captivity in Babylon, allowing them to return to Jerusalem along with all the sacred items taken from the Temple in Jerusalem some 40 years prior. Their instructions were to...
by Fr. Jim Scullion OFM | Sep 25, 2023 | Friar Reflection
Today we begin reading from the Book of Ezra. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah describe the return of Israel from the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the Temple or the House of God in Jerusalem. The First Temple, built by King Solomon, was destroyed by the...
