In a small African village, two brothers were about to set out to make their fortune in a distant country. “Go with my blessing,” their father said, “but on your way put marks on the trees lest you...
Recognizing the Needs of Others
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Friar Reflection
Destroying People
The first reading today is from the Prophet Jeremiah who was among the last prophets who proclaimed the Word of God to the people of Jerusalem immediately before the city was conquered by Babylon...
Unity of Word and Life
It is easy for us to live the letter of the law and forget the Spirit behind the law, to live out only the minimum requirements. We seem to like the special distinctions, honors, and titles of the...
Be Merciful
We have all heard the phrase “Cleanliness is Next to Godliness.” In fact, this phrase never occurs in the Bible. A phrase that does occur is the one in today’s Gospel: “Be merciful, just as your...
The Heart of the Law
Todays’ Gospel comes from the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus announces God’s plan or desire for all of humanity. God originally revealed himself to Israel through the Law which was meant to produce...
Praying and Doing
In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches us about both prayer and action. Behind these two teachings is Jesus’ image of the one true God. Jesus teaches us to approach God not in fear and trembling but with...
A Second Chance
Today’s first reading begins with the seemingly benign statement: “The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time.” Jonah is commanded: “Set out for the great city of Nineveh and announce to it...
The Word Goes Out
The first reading today is from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah and is one of my favorite passages: Just as from the heavens the rain and snow come down and do not return there till they have watered...
Into the Presence of God
The first reading today is taken from the Book of Leviticus and is paired with the memorable passage from Matthew 25. Leviticus is likely the least read book of the Old Testament. It is long and...
True Fasting: Justice and Conversion
Prayer, fasting, and charity or almsgiving are three ancient pillars of Christian life that lead us to conversion throughout the whole year. They are very important during this season of Lent....
Turning Back
Lent is that moment, that time in the year, when we are asked to step back and take a look at what direction we should take in life. Do we act in the way the world tells us to act or do we act...
Sage Advice
The first reading is from the Book of Sirach (also known as the Wisdom of Ben Sira or as Ecclesiasticus - not to be confused with Ecclesiastes). The book is part of the Bible the Catholic Church...