In today’s Gospel Jesus reveals himself as the light of the world: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” In John’s Gospel...
The Light of the World
read more
Friar Reflection
Being Aware of the Presence of Christ
It is never a comfortable experience visiting someone who is very ill. We aren't sure what to do or say. We worry that we might say the wrong thing. Rabbi Harold Kushner writes: “At some of the...
Are we free?
The ashes we receive on Ash Wednesday challenge us with a difficult question, Am I free? Am I making my life all that I want it to be for myself and those I love? What’s keeping me from realizing...
Signs
“Now this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.” In today’s Gospel Jesus performs a second sign. Jesus’ first sign was the changing of water into wine at Cana (John...
The Annunciation
You and I received an invitation and a challenge on Ash Wednesday: “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” These words of Jesus can also be translated: “Turn to God and put all your trust in God.” ...
Finger of God
“Repent and believe in the Gospel.” We heard these words as we received ashes on Ash Wednesday. These words are taken from the first words of Jesus’ public ministry: “This is the time of...
It’s About the Law
The Jews used the expression ‘The Law’ in four different ways. They used it to man the 10 commandments; they used it to describe the first five books of the bible, called the Pentateuch. They...
How often…
“How often must I forgive?” Jesus’ answer is “not seven times but seventy-seven times.” This means there is no limit to the number of times we must forgive. He tells a parable about forgiveness,...
A Prophet
A prophetic moment last week in Washington, D.C.: The famed cellist Yo Yo Ma was on his way to the Kennedy Center to rehearse for a performance later that evening. As his car approached the Russian...
What “owns” us?
Once upon a time, two families came to a rabbi wanting him to settle a dispute about the boundaries of their land. He listened as the first family recounted how they had received the land as their...
Rich and Poor
In today’s Gospel Jesus tells the well-known story of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man is not condemned for having possessions but because he does not hear the cry of the poor. Specifically,...
It’s About Service!
James and John are discussing who will be on Jesus’ right and who will be on His left in the Kingdom. What they and their mother do not understand is that standing on either side of Jesus can be...