It has been six years since the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, VA. Say what you will about the intent, purpose or goal of the rally organizers or opponents - we know what unfolded then...
The Hard Choice
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Friar Reflection
Fear the Lord
In today’s first reading from Deuteronomy the Israelites are commanded to fear the Lord: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord, your God, ask of you but to fear the Lord, your God, and follow his...
The Feast of St. Clare
Peter said to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of...
Follow Me
Jesus challenges us in today’s Gospel to follow him: “Whoever serves me must follow me.” We may well ask Jesus, “Follow you where?” He will give us the answer at the Last Supper as he washes the...
Constance: The Strong Faith of a Mother and The Strong Hope of Two Young People
Today we have two stories of incredible faith that challenge us and call us to bear strong witness with our own lives. In the first reading, in the time after the Exodus, Israel arrives at the...
Little Faith
In today’s Gospel Jesus upbraids Peter: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Peter, like most of the disciples in the Gospels, moves from moments of great faith to moments of little or no...
At Wit’s End
If you have been following along with the daily readings at Mass, you know that the first readings have been following the 12 tribes of Jacob as they escaped slavery in Egypt, received the Ten...
Assumptions
The gospel passage Matthew 13:54-58 offers a profound reflection on the nature of assumptions and the limitations they impose on our understanding and beliefs. In this passage, Jesus returns to his...
The Conversion
The Word of God constantly calls us to conversion and to renew our lives and the public witness of faith. Jesus uses parables to perplex us and call us to deepen our relationship with God and our...
The Light of Your Face
Today’s first reading from the book of Exodus describes the appearance of Moses as he comes down from the presence of God on Mount Sinai: “…the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed...
Living in the Midst of Tares – Evil
Jesus uses the parable of the good wheat and the tares to explain the Kingdom of God and the presence of evil. Today we hear the explanation of the parable. The parable is a bit disturbing. In fact,...
Forgetting God
Today’s reading is from the “golden calf” incident recorded in the Book of Exodus. You know the story: Moses comes down from the mountain top carrying the 10 Commandments carved into stone tablets....