The gospel for today is the story of the “Dishonest Steward” (Luke 16:1-8). These verses are the parable itself but it is good to note that the application of the parable continues in vv.9-13. The...
The Small Things
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Friar Reflection
Being Temple
First a bit of history & tradition – St John Lateran, mother church of the world: “To dedicate or consecrate” a place to God is a ritual that is found in every religion. To “reserve” a place to...
After the Banquet
In this day and age, we receive all manner of evites: to meetings, parties, events and more. Upon receiving the evite are we excited? Were we just hoping for a day or evening off? Does this seem...
The Kingdom of God – Today at the Table Feast
Jesus often participated in table fellowship feasts and often uses the image of a feast to describe life with God. Today one of the people who was with Jesus at a dinner celebration exclaims:...
Glory to God
Can we trust God or is God fickle? St. Paul tells us in today’s first reading that “… the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” In this section of Romans (chapters 9-11), Paul has been...
Love and Law
In the Old Testament the sabbath was the Lord’s Day, a day of resting in the Lord. It was a day centered on renewing one’s relationship with God. Work was specifically not allowed. There are 39...
All Souls
In today’s first reading we hear the comforting words, “The souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall touch them. Death is a great mystery that each of us must face. When...
Blessed are you…
Who are the saints of God? Paul often refers to the members of the community addressed in his letters as “saints,” “holy one” or “called to be holy” (Philippians 1:1; Romans 1:6). You and I,...
Suffering and Glory
The first reading for today begins as St. Paul tells us: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.” (Rom 8:18) I suspect that...
Into the Presence of God
In tomorrow’s first reading from The Letter to the Romans, St. Paul tells us that you, me and all creation is suffering in this world that is as imperfect and incomplete as we are. God created the...
Amazing Grace
The well-known hymn, “Amazing Grace” is based on today’s first reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans. The King James Version of today’s reading is: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver...
Being Fire
Jesus uses an uncomfortable image today: burning fire. Jesus Christ is the fire that changes all of creation. He burns out division and death, the fruits of sin. He is the beginning of the...