In today’s first reading Paul greets the Corinthians with these words: “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” The words of this greeting are also used as one of the...
Grace
read more
Friar Reflection
The Woes
This is the week of “woes” as we listen to the reading of Matthew’s 23rd chapter. In English woe means sadness or distress. Seven times Jesus judges and rebukes the pharisees by saying sadness on...
Judgement, Mercy, and Fidelity
Certain things in the Word of God are easy to measure, control, and even accomplish. Paying a tithe of a certain product is rather easy. All we do is weigh our harvest and then pay the percentage....
Hypocrites
In today’s Gospel Jesus continues his denunciation of the scribes and the Pharisees. These along with the Sadducees were the religious leaders at the time of Jesus. At the time of the writing of...
Love
As a teacher I always wanted to make sure that the student focused on the essential or core element. Sometimes a student would get lost in a vast array of information as they were reviewing their...
The Invitation and the Tunic
God invites all to be part of his life, the great banquet. We like the sound of that. It’s all inclusive and we don’t have to do much. But then the parable takes a strange turn. People don’t want to...
Our Justice and the Generosity of God’s Love
This parable is so shocking. Seemingly it makes no sense at all. It goes against all our human sense of logic, justice, and order. How could those who worked less receive the same payment as those...
Bonfire of Our Vanities
The first reading is from the Prophet Ezekiel from a larger section known as the “Oracles Against the Nations.” In our reading the charge leveled against the prince of Tyre is simple and direct: you...
Treasure in Heaven
In today’s Gospel a young man asks a question that all of us have asked: “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus’ reply might surprise and even shock us: “Why do you ask me about...
God’s Vision
Jesus responds to the disciples’ question about divorce and marriage in a very direct and clear way. It is a response that goes beyond the tradition in Israel at the time. Jesus looks at us and the...
Assumption
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. As we hear in today’s Gospel, Mary is “blessed…among women.” Elizabeth goes on to exclaim, “blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Elizabeth also...
Forgiveness
In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches us about forgiveness and fraternal correction. He lays out a clear and precise procedure: “If your brother or sister sins again you…”. The first step is to speak to...