From time to time, my dad would remind me that “every person you meet is your better in that you can learn something from them.” Good and sage advice. I wonder if he knew he was echoing Ralph Waldo...
The Way We Walk
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Friar Reflection
The Communion of the Saints
Today we celebrate a basic point in our mission and vocation as Christians: we are all called to live as saints. One of the wonderful things about being Catholic is that there is a patron saint for...
Mystery of the Gospel
In today’s first reading from Ephesians Paul warns us about the cosmic struggle that we face in our daily Christian life: “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities,...
Slaves
In today’s first reading we have two sayings or exhortation. The first saying exhorts children: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother.” The...
The Little Mustard Seed That Grows
Today’s first reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is often viewed negatively. Yet to understand it let us look at the background. Paul is giving specific recommendations to the members of a...
Out of Place
Have you ever been in a place where you feel as though you are out of place? Not unwelcomed in a broad sense, but a bit of an intruder. The realization can come upon you unexpectedly and you enter...
Signs of the Times
In today’s Gospel Jesus challenges the people to recognize the “signs of the times” just as they can recognize the signs of the weather: “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately...
Conversion and Change in the Spirit
Today’s reading from Luke is taken from the 12th chapter that begins by saying there were thousands gathered to listen to his preaching. So many people that they were stepping on each other. What a...
Mystery
In today’s first reading Paul talks about mystery: “You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by...
Be Ready; Active Waiting
The Gospel is full of images to symbolize a Christian’s attitude of conversion and active waiting: the prudent and foolish young women waiting for the return of the bride and groom, the sudden...
In the beginning
The first reading today is taken from St. Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians. Ephesians is a letter about the church - not necessarily just the congregation in the city of Ephesus but rather with the...
Sent
Today we celebrate the feast of St Luke who wrote one of the four Gospels. Each of the writers gives their Gospel a specific tone or emphasis. Luke’s Gospel is very human and very concerned for the...