If you grew up in the South in the 1950s and 1960s and were Catholic, you were someone who needed to be saved, at least in the estimation of your Reformed, Protestant and Evangelical brothers and...
Faith and Works
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Friar Reflection
Be Healed
Some interesting aspects of the story of this healing. It shows how considerate Jesus was. He took the man aside from the crowd probably because He knew that He was going to give the man his sight...
For what should we pray?
The first reading all week is from the Letter of James. Today’s “installment” is just one of many insights the letter carries about the human condition: “Blessed is he who perseveres in temptation”...
Rich and Poor
In yesterday’s Gospel Jesus declared: “woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:24). In today’s first reading James exhorts his brothers and sisters, “Those in lowly...
Ephphatha – Be Opened
Today’s Gospel contains the strange word “Ephphatha.” This Aramaic word is translated “be opened.” Aramaic was the language that Jesus and his fellow Jews spoke in their everyday discourse. ...
A Savior for All
One of the main messages of today’s Gospel passage is that Jesus is a Savior for all, both Jews and non-Jews. Remember, the gospel of Mark was mainly written to share the gospel with non-Jews, so...
Finding the Soul Inside of Us
In a venerable synagogue in Prague, there is a display of paintings and drawings by children. It’s a lovely exhibit – until you realize that the children who created these pictures all perished in...
Prayer
Why do we pray? We have many different reasons to pray. At times we pray to give glory and praise to God and to thank God for the many gifts God has bestowed on us. We also pray to make our needs...
In our midst
In the first reading today, we witness the Ark of the Covenant being moved into the Temple built by King Solomon. To know the story of the Ark of the Covenant is to enter into a geography and...
The Heartbreak of John the Baptist
In today’s Gospel we heard the well-known account of the beheading of John the Baptist. I have to admit, I wonder if John should have played the long game. He didn’t need to call out King Herod. It...
The Summons
In today’s Gospel Jesus “summons” the Twelve and sends them out to continue His work of healing. The word apostle (apostolos) comes from the Greek verb apostello, “to send.” An apostle, such as...
Faith and Refining
While the nation celebrates Groundhog Day, we as a church celebrate the Feast of the Presentation as recounted in today’s Gospel. St. Luke's narration is of the Presentation in the Temple. The...