This week we begin reading from the “Letter to the Hebrews.” This work is not exactly a letter but is more a homily or theological treatise. It reflects on the full humanity and full divinity of...
Friar Reflection
Being a Covenant People
Today marks the end of the Liturgical season of Christmas as we celebrate the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Throughout the Christmas season we have heard the titles and...
Faith and Hope in Mission
Today we celebrate the feast of St. John Henry Newman. When I was studying biology in college, the Catholic communities on secular universities were called the Newman Clubs after John Henry Newman....
Creative Service
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, first person born in the USA to be recognized as a saint. She was a wife, mother, widow, convert, founder of a religious order, and founder...
The Lamb of God
In today’s Gospel John the Baptist continues bearing witness to Jesus: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” These words are familiar since they are the words the priests...
Who Is the Liar?
“Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ.” These words from today’s 1st reading show us that lying was a problem in this 1st Century Christian Community. It also seems to be a...
The Holy Family
Today is the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph. Today’s Gospel tells the story of the visit of the “outsiders,” the Magi, to the holy family. While the holy family was not your...
It’s About the Choices We Make
The Letter of John in today’s first reading is a challenging exhortation as to how we should treat “our brother”. His way of describing how we should treat other people. He doesn’t mince words!...
The Innocents
Shadows lurked beneath the light of the star of Bethlehem. There is murder in the air as Herod attempts to eliminate any possible threat to his throne by ordering the death of any male child 2 years...
The Evangelist
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. In the midst of the Christmas season today's gospel seems out of place. It recounts Mary Magdalene's experience of Easter morning when she...
The First Martyr
How quickly things change! Yesterday we celebrated the birth of Jesus and today we celebrate St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr. The Greek word “martyr” means a witness. So, anyone who...
It’s About a Revolution
Today’s Gospel speaks to us again about one of the most powerful prayers of all time, The Magnificat of Mary. It is about a moral revolution. He scatters the proud in the plans of their heart....