by Fr. Jim Scullion OFM | Feb 16, 2024 | Friar Reflection
Today’s readings deal with the question of when to fast and how to fast. Jesus is challenged because his disciples do not undertake special fasting: “Why do we and the Pharisees fast much, but your disciples do not fast?” Jesus replies that now, while he is still...
by Fr. Jim Scullion OFM | Feb 14, 2024 | Friar Reflection
“Repent and believe in the Gospel.” There are the words the minister proclaims as we receive ashes on Ash Wednesday. These words are taken from the Gospel of Mark, the whole verse begins with a proclamation of Jesus: “This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of...
by Fr. Jim Scullion OFM | Feb 12, 2024 | Friar Reflection
Both of today’s readings reflect on the mystery of faith. In today’s Gospel the Pharisees seek “a sign from heaven to test him [Jesus].” He refuses to give them a sign since he has already given many signs by his teaching and healing with authority. In today’s...
by Fr. Jim Scullion OFM | Feb 8, 2024 | Friar Reflection
In today’s Gospel it seems like Jesus is having a bad day. Instead of welcoming this “outsider,” a Syrophoenician woman he callously replies, “…it is not right to take the food of the children and throw it to the dogs.” Like so many people before her in the Gospel...
by Fr. Jim Scullion OFM | Feb 7, 2024 | Friar Reflection
What can defile a person or make them unclean? Jesus addresses this question in today’s Gospel. Jesus’ society, like our society, tended to classify people as insiders and outsiders. Whatever people feared or did not understand, such as leprosy or a foreign...
