by Fr. John O'Connor OFM | Sep 6, 2022 | Friar Reflection
In Mathew’s Gospel Jesus goes up on a hillside to preach the Sermon on the Mount. In Luke’s account Jesus comes down the mountain to preach the sermon on the plain. A small detail but an important one as it gives us an insight into the kind of relationship that...
by Fr. John O'Connor OFM | Aug 26, 2022 | Friar Reflection
The Gospel reading reminds us that there are some things that cannot be obtained at the last minute. A student will not be able to pass a test if he or she waits until the day of the test to study the material. A person who needs a specific skill for a task will not...
by Fr. John O'Connor OFM | Aug 15, 2022 | Friar Reflection
Sometimes it seems that the concept of neighbors and neighborhoods has been lost. In years past homes would have front porches that would enable neighbors to interact with each other on a regular basis. Though there are some architectural examples of a return to...
by Fr. John O'Connor OFM | Aug 9, 2022 | Friar Reflection
In the gospel, the disciples ask Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus uses the example of a child. Why a child? Jesus sees three qualities in a child that a disciple should imitate. The first is humility. Most children at some point tend to...
by Fr. John O'Connor OFM | Aug 5, 2022 | Friar Reflection
The Gospel today contains three powerful challenges. The followers of Jesus must deny themselves. When we think of denying oneself, we think of giving up something we like doing without some pleasure or luxury. But Jesus is asking even more. He is asking us to say...
