Today we begin reading from the Book of Ezra. The books of Ezra and Nehemiah describe the return of Israel from the Babylonian exile and the rebuilding of the Temple or the House of God in...
House of God
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Friar Reflection
Obsessions
In today’s first reading we are warned against “a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with...
Evangelist
Today we celebrate the feast of St. Matthew, the evangelist. As we hear in today’s first reading each of us has been given a “measure of Christ’s gifts.” These gifts are given for the common good...
Like Children
Jesus likes to use the example of children in his teaching. When his disciples tried to prevent people from bringing their children to him Jesus rebuked his disciples: “Let the children come to me;...
Walking and Living in the Way of Compassion of Jesus
Over and over again we see Jesus breaking into a someone’s life shockingly, gratuitously, unexpectedly, and uninvited. In the time of Jesus, women lived dependent on their husbands or in the case of...
Authority and the Kingdom
The gospel for today tells the Lucan story of Jesus’ encounter with the Roman centurion whose servant “was ill and about to die.” When the centurion hears, that Jesus is coming to his house, he...
Suffering, Joy, and Service
Sequence — Stabat Mater At the cross her station keeping, Stood the mournful Mother weeping, Close to Jesus to the last. Through her heart, his sorrow sharing, All his bitter anguish bearing, Now at...
Exaltation of the Cross
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. We hear in today’s second reading that Jesus “humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross.” The Romans used...
The Image of a True Human Being
Luke’s version of Jesus’ first central sermon takes place on a plain rather than a mount as in Matthew’s Gospel. Luke remembers it a bit shorter, but substantially the same. Rather than continue...
Mature Faith
Sometimes it is good to know the “big picture” in order to more deeply appreciate the details. Let me suggest that the “big picture” of St. Paul’s Letter to the Colossians is his hopes and prayers...
The Economy of Mercy
Today’s gospel from Luke tells of Jesus’ encounter with the scribes and Pharisees centered around what is proper action on the Sabbath. There were 913 regulations and guidelines arising from the...
Nativity
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity or birth of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Today’s Gospel tells the story of the nativity or birth of Jesus: “This is how the birth (genesis) of Jesus Christ...