Today’s readings place before us two parents, two children, and two very different outcomes of love. In the first reading, we hear David’s cry — raw, unfiltered, and devastating: “O my son Absalom!...
Two Loves
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Friar Reflection
Into the Quiet
The Feast of the Presentation is, at first glance, a quiet scene. There is no miracle, no crowd, no proclamation from heaven. Like faithful, observant parents, another young couple brings a child to...
Was Jesus a Failure?
In today’s Gospel Jesus tells stories or parables. The first one is the Parable of the Sower, and the second one is the Parable of the Mustard Seed. Jesus begins by telling us that these two...
King David and Jesus
In today’s first reading we hear the thanksgiving prayer of King David after the prophet Nathan declares God words of promise to David: “Moreover, the LORD also declares to you that the LORD will...
Being Prepared
It is striking how sincere David’s plan is in the first reading. He looks around, sees that he lives in a house of cedar while the Ark of God dwells in a tent, and he decides to do something...
Being Family
In the first reading, great care is taken to describe the moment when the Ark of the Covenant is brought into Jerusalem. This is not simply a religious procession; it is a profound statement of...
Polarization and Demonization
We are all aware of the polarization in our country as many of our leaders tend to emphasize more how we disagree than how we agree. This polarization often leads to the demonization of our...
Persistence: Ask and You Shall Receive
God has many ways of speaking with us: the Word of God, events in our lives, historical situations, council from our friends, tradition, and Church teachings. Another way God speaks to us is through...
Gift of Healing and Life
In today’s Gospel we have a summary of Jesus going about curing, healing and driving out demons. Jesus preached the coming of the Kingdom of God: “After John had been arrested, Jesus came to...
Faith and Fear
In its history the Church has known fear. The empire wide persecutions during the first 300 years. There have been persecutions in Japan, Mexico, France, China and more. In our history, the faithful...
Authority and Law
Mark wants to establish early-on in his Gospel who Jesus is and the authority of his teachings. The religious leaders of his time centered their teachings on traditions and laws. The purpose of the...
Intersections
Old garments and old wineskins represent the established religious practices, traditions, and structures of Judaism at the time, particularly those associated with the Pharisees and their legalistic...