Last week I traveled to a cemetery close to Boston for the burial of a friend. Then I took advantage of the long holiday weekend to visit my hometown and family in the Adirondack Mountains. Spring...
Aliens and Sojourners
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Friar Reflection
Glory or Humility
The disciples, perhaps like most of us, tend to “half-hear” what Jesus is teaching. In today’s Gospel, for example, Jesus teaches that his way is the way of humility, the way of the Cross: “Behold,...
So Great a Gift
Following from yesterday’s readings, today we continue with Peter’s first letter. Previously, Peter had challenged believers to experience the joy of such a great faith. His admonishment was to be...
Refining Gold
Our opening reading today is from the 1st Letter of Peter. In just two short verses, the author provides a summary of the main themes and an outline of the whole letter: (1) God gave us a new birth,...
A Light in the Darkness
This morning in the parish we are celebrating a school Mass in which we celebrate the children of 2nd grade who recently celebrated their First Holy Communion, the students being inducted into the...
Poor in Spirit
In today’s first reading James has some challenging and even harsh words for the rich: “Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.” The problem is not possessions or riches per...
Whose Side Are You On?
Today people seem to like to choose a side and exclude and even refuse to listen to those with whom they disagree. They watch only the news channels that agree with their position and refuse to...
Problem and Cure
The first reading for today is from the Letter of James. It is a passage structured in three parts: the problem is identified (4:1–3), its incompatibility with God is described (vv. 4–7), and the...
Mary, Mother of the Church
In today’s Gospel we hear the story of Mary, the mother of God, and the “disciple whom Jesus loved” standing at the foot of cross. Jesus speaks to Mary: “Woman, behold your son.” Then he says to...
Do you love me?
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my...
Jesus Prays
In today’s Gospel Jesus prays for us with these words, “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” You and I have come to believe in Jesus through the...
Constancy and Communion
In today’s reading both Paul and Jesus stress the importance of being sent into the world to be signs of God’s love while remaining faithful to the communion and teaching received from them. In the...