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. 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...
by Fr. Jim Scullion OFM | Sep 21, 2023 | Friar Reflection
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew, the evangelist. As we hear in today’s first reading each of us has been given a “measure of Christ’s gifts.” These gifts are given for the common good and for building up the Body of Christ: “And he gave some as Apostles,...
by Fr. Jim Scullion OFM | Sep 20, 2023 | Friar Reflection
Jesus likes to use the example of children in his teaching. When his disciples tried to prevent people from bringing their children to him Jesus rebuked his disciples: “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these....