Isaiah certainly has away with words. In the first reading for today’s Mass, Isaiah describes mountains being leveled, valleys being filled, and rough places being made smooth. It is a complete...
Advent Landscaping
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Friar Reflection
The Chosen
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This feast is a celebration of Mary who was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus and therefore the mother of God. This message is...
Still in Need of Conversion
In today’s reading from Isaiah, we hear a beautiful vision: “The deaf shall hear… the eyes of the blind shall see… the lowly will find joy in the Lord.” These words are full of hope, and we rightly...
Hearing and Doing
In today’s Gospel Jesus is coming to the end of his Sermon on the Mount (5:1-7:28). In this Sermon Jesus teaches us God’s Will and the Way to God’s Kingdom (“Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done…”):...
Living in the Vision and Fulfillment
In difficult times just before the Exile, Isaiah writes about conversion and of new times of consolation. His vision and message are based in profound hope. He is the prophet par excellence for this...
From his roots
Our first reading gives us one of the most hope-filled visions in all of Scripture: “A shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom” (Is 11:1). Why hope-filled?...
“Lord, I am not worthy”
The words of the centurion in today’s Gospel are very familiar to us since we pronounce these words right before we receive communion: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but...
Standing in Hope
Over the last several weeks as we near the end of the liturgical year, the Church has chosen readings that are quite apocalyptic. The readings from the Book of Daniel and the gospels - are they...
Thanksgiving
Today we gather to give thanks for many things, for our family, our friends and parishioners and for our country. The most important thing that we give thanks for is the gift of God’s grace...
Daniel: Wisdom and Faithfulness
We are living the last week of the liturgical year for the Church. This coming Sunday we start a new season with the beginning Advent. The reading during this last week always addresses the end...
Passing Things; Permanent Things
Today’s readings place before us two very powerful images of history. In the first reading from the Book of Daniel, is the scene in the Book of Daniel when he is asked to interpret a dream of King...
A Poor Widow
In today’s Gospel we hear the story of a poor widow putting her offering in the Temple treasury. It seems like a simple story highlighting this widow’s great generosity. Jesus remarks: “I tell you...