We are rapidly approaching the end of the Easter season. Each year we celebrate this season to renew our joy. Our joy as Christians has its root in the Christ’s victory over sin and death, the...
Complete Joy
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Friar Reflection
Peace
In today’s gospel we read: “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33) The word “this”...
Be Not Afraid
In today’s first reading the Lord tells Paul, “Do not be afraid.” The Lord does not promise Paul a carefree life. Indeed, Paul is hauled before the proconsul Gallio by the Jews in Corinth and...
Joy
Today’s Gospel comes from Jesus’ prayer and discourse during the Last Supper. He is trying to prepare the apostles for his imminent passion, death, and resurrection. He says: A little while and you...
Paul and the Athenians
The Apostles have been commissioned to preach the Gospel to the whole world: “But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout...
Blessing and Praising God
Today we see an amazing attitude in Paul and Silas – an attitude that has been largely forgotten by modern day Christians. After preaching they are arrested. At the public trial the whole crowd of...
Spirit and Persecutions
The readings for today continue the account of the early Church as told in the Acts of the Apostles and continues the Farewell Discourse from the Gospel of John in which Jesus, on Holy Thursday,...
Listening to the Word of God – Service and Praise
The month of May in North America brings new life and joy through the warm spring weather and the blossoming of the plants and trees. The whole world seems to wake up suddenly from a long cold...
Much Debate
Controversy and debate are not something new in the church. As we hear in today’s first reading even in the earliest church there was “much debate.” Luke begins this chapter by presenting the...
Pruning the Branches
The gospel today is talking about vineyards. Vineyards are like a garden - sort of. Unlike a garden where you can grow all kinds of flowers and vegetables, vineyards grow one thing: grapes - and...
Peace
In John’s Gospel just before his passion, death, and resurrection, Jesus prepares his apostles for his imminent physical separation from them with prayer, peace, and a sign of sacrificing service....
St. Catherine of Siena
Today is the Feast Day of St. Catherine of Siena, along with St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy! As a feast day, there are readings specific to the occasion, taken from the First...