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...
The First Martyr
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Friar Reflection
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....
O Radiant Dawn
Jesus Christ comes to illuminate our lives with a new vision that remakes all of us. Today’s OH antiphon reminds of the need for a new light that all of us have inside our hearts and souls. Today’s...
To whom the Word came
Today’s Gospel is a familiar part of the Christmas story - the Angel Gabriel inviting Mary into the plans of God for redemption and salvation of the world. Given its proximity to Christmas, I...
Zechariah and Elizabeth
Today’s Gospel presents us with two holy and righteous Jews, the priest Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. Luke describes their holiness: “Both were righteous in the eyes of God, observing all the...
Do What Is Just; For My Salvation Is About to Come
December is a time of planning – often the planning starts in September or October. Typically, we spent a lot of time in this season planning for all the celebrations: Christmas, New Year, and...
John the Baptist
Did John the Baptist fully understand Jesus? In today’s Gospel Jesus describes John as a prophet and more than a prophet. Jesus quotes Scripture to describe him: “Behold, I am sending my messenger...
Are You the One Who Is to Come?
In today’s Gospel we hear John the Baptist asking Jesus, are you the one who is to come, or are we to look for another? Some have been concerned about these remarks because they seem to suggest...
Father and Son
In today’s Gospel Jesus takes an example from everyday family life: “A man had two sons…”. One son started in disobedience, “I will not,” but ended in obedience, “afterwards he changed his mind and...
The Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
From our first reading: “Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and they shall be his people, and he will dwell among you” (Zech 2:15) When I was in Kenya, I remember the first...
Busyness
There is a lot going on this week: nation remembers Pearl Harbor, the church remembers St. Ambrose, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception and the Season of Advent continues. We all are getting...
Come To Me
Today the Lord calls all to be part of his life, to center our lives in him. In the midst of all of life’s difficulties, setbacks, and tragedies, we often feel crushed. With Jesus as our center, we...