Today is the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord in the Temple. As we hear in today’s Gospel Mary and Joseph bring the baby Jesus up to the Temple in Jerusalem “to present him to the Lord.” ...
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Friar Reflection
Twelve Apostles
In today’s Gospel Jesus commissioned the Twelve to be “apostles.” The word “apostle” comes from the Greek word that means “to send.” So, as we hear in today’s Gospel, Jesus “summoned the Twelve...
Amazement
Today’s gospel is, in its own way, part of a thread in Mark’s gospel in which the nature of the family of God is slowly revealed. In Mark 3:7-12, Jesus is calling and appointing 12 as apostles, the...
Fear and Trust
In today’s gospel we encounter the well-known stories of the Daughter of Jairus and the hemorrhaging woman. In the Gospel of Mark Jesus is closely involved with women nine times. Today’s gospel...
Legion
In today’s Gospel we have a classic battle between good and evil, Jesus against an unclean spirit who calls himself “Legion…there are many of us.” This unclean spirit tries to do battle with Jesus,...
Anxiety and Trust
This week, in our second reading, Paul simply writes: “I should like you to be free of anxieties.” (1 Cor 7:32). Seriously, can I get an “Amen” to that? Wouldn’t that be awesome, to have a life...
A Mustard Seed
A tiny, tiny mustard seed…that is what the Kingdom of God is like! In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches us about the Kingdom of God. He uses two images to describe the Kingdom, a Sower and a mustard...
Conversion: Profound Change of Way
A deeply devout and highly educated in the Word of God and the religious traditions of Israel, Pablo dedicated his life to eliminating the Christian Way because it was initially seen as a heretical...
St. Francis de Sales
Today is the Memorial of St. Francis de Sales, a priest known for his spirit of optimism, hope, freedom and confidence in God's love both in his life and his writings. The gospel for the memorial is...
Being Part of Jesus’ Life/Family
One of the shocking novelties, the Good News, that Jesus brings to us is that Christians through our baptism live inside the communion of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The communion of the...
Everlasting Sin
In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks about an everlasting sin: “But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never have forgiveness, but is guilty of an everlasting sin.” This everlasting sin is...
Word of God Sunday
Today the Church Universal celebrates Sunday of the Word of God, a celebration established by Pope Francis in 2019. It is a celebration that is close to my heart. I have taught Bible Studies in...