In today’s Gospel Jesus debates with some Jewish teaches about what is Lawful on the Sabbath. What does it mean to keep holy the Sabbath? “Remember the sabbath day—keep it holy. Six days you may...
Keep Holy the Sabbath
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Friar Reflection
Signs of the Times
In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks about discerning the “signs of the times” be it the signs of the weather or the signs of God at work in the present time: “Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see...
Fire and Conversion
What a disturbing saying from Jesus today! This is especially so if we are tied to that false concept that Christianity is about peace in the sense of doing nothing. Jesus himself directly rebukes...
How Far
It has been my experience that people just beginning serious study of Sacred Scriptures follow a pattern: the Gospels/Acts, selected Old Testament books, and then the letters of St. Paul. One of the...
Strangers No Longer
When visiting someone’s home, we are often invited in, offered a place to sit, a refreshment, and when the purpose of the visit is complete, we are thanked and escorted to the door. There is...
Rich in Mercy
What is your image of God? Is God Santa Claus or the Bogeyman? While the true God is neither he is more the giver of good gifts than someone out to scare us. In today’s first reading Paul...
Express Love At All Costs
Today we see Jesus invited to dinner with one of the town’s Pharisees or religious leaders and other important neighbors. While they were dining, a woman appears and washes Jesus’ feet. The whole...
Redemption and Forgiveness
Woe to you who build memorials to the prophets! Woe to you, scholars of the law! Hard words today that Jesus directs at the religious leaders, scribes, Pharisees, and scholars of the religious laws....
Even more
“Woe to you Pharisees!” Today’s gospel gets right to it! In our 21st century experience, we understand the phrase as one of condemnation, or at least as a warning of the coming condemnation. The...
Path to Freedom
The first reading today begins: “For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.” The larger context of his message to the Galatians is about reports he...
Sign of Jonah
It is natural to seek signs to bolster and strengthen our faith. Sometimes the signs are not what we expect and can be difficult and challenging to accept. St. Paul reflects on the challenge and ...
The Heart as Dwelling
In today’s gospel we witness an encounter between Jesus and the people after Jesus had driven a demon out of an afflicted person. At the end of the dialogue, Jesus offers a parable: “When an unclean...