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Friar Reflection

Obstinate

Obstinate

According to Merriam Webster, obstinate: “stubbornly adhering to an opinion, purpose, or course in spite of reason, arguments, or persuasion.” Pharaoh is pretty stubborn. He dug his heels in even...

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Praise God

In today’s Gospel Jesus prays and gives praise to his heavenly Father with these words: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.”  Jesus stands in wonder before his Father’s ways. ...

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The Household of Faith

The Household of Faith

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me...” (Mt 10:37)  I think there is a tendency among believers that when we hear those words, we respond with, what I call, “the holy...

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Apostles

In today’s Gospel Jesus commissions and sends out the Twelve to be his witnesses.  The word “apostle” comes from the Greek verb “to send” (apostellõ).  Jesus tells the Apostles: “Behold, I am...

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Sent Out – Mission

Today we listen to Matthew’s version of the first sending-out of the disciples. It is the same story we heard last Sunday from Luke. Being sent out to proclaim the Good News is at the heart of what...

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The Path to Blessing

The Path to Blessing

Yesterday, the first reading was the story of Jacob wrestling with the divine. In yesterday’s reflection, in part, we considered that some modern scholars interpret the episode as an inner...

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Championship Wrestling

Championship Wrestling

Growing up in Florida in the early 1960s, one of the staples of Saturday television programming was “Championship Wrestling from Florida” with Gordon Solie as host and play-by-play announcer. The...

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Stairway to Heaven

Today’s first reading from Genesis is the story of Jacob’s ladder or stairway.  This ladder reaches from the ground to the heavens.  God’s “messengers” or angels were “going up and down on” this...

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Our Homeland – The Way

I was not supposed to be here today. But due to a small health problem and a quick switch of the schedule, here I am with you, giving thanks to our Lord for this civil holiday, remembering our...

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Jesus the Exorcist

In today’s Gospel Jesus performs an exorcism and drives demons out of two people possessed by these demons.  The story is rich with symbolism.  The story takes place in the territory of the...

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