Today’s First Reading relates to the battle between the Philistines and the people of Israel. The people of Israel bring the Ark of the Covenant to the battle believing that if they have the holy...
God’s Guidance
read more
Friar Reflection
Restored
Today's Gospel is one that always needs 1st century context. Jesus has just been at the synagogue where he cast out an unclean spirit from a man. Then we read, "Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a...
Authority
What does it mean to teach with authority? In today’s Gospel Mark emphasizes twice that Jesus teaches with authority. “Jesus taught them as one having authority and not as the scribes…a new...
The Time of Fulfillment
Although only 14 verses into the gospel narrative, St. Mark has already introduced us to John the Baptist, Jesus has been baptized, and tempted in the desert. Then, in a typically abbreviated style,...
Be Made Clean!
In today’s Gospel, a leper comes to Jesus and says: “Lord, if you will to do so, you can make me clean.” Jesus’ response is: “I do will it. Be made clean!” In this miracle, like many other miracles...
Fulfilled in your hearing
Jesus preaches the shortest homily in history! In today’s Gospel Jesus reads a text from the prophet Isaiah and then gives a homily on this text. While His homily is very short it sets forth the...
For the love of Christ
When asked how they could possibly feed so many people, Jesus said to disciples “in reply, ‘Give them some food yourselves.’” Today the Church celebrates the Memorial of St. John Neumann, Bishop of...
A light for others
“…the people who sit in darkness have seen a great light, on those dwelling in a land overshadowed by death light has arisen.” Today the Church in the United States celebrates St. Elizabeth Ann...
When the carols are stilled
In today’s gospel, Jesus shows compassion for the multitude in the desert likening them to sheep without a shepherd – and He began to teach them many things. There are many lessons to be learned but...
Faith and Love
In today’s first reading John echoes Jesus’ twofold commandment of love of God and love of neighbor: “And his commandment is this: we should believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love...
In the Beginning
How did it all begin? We can ask this question about many things. The most important answer to the question of beginnings is that it all began with God. “In the beginning, when God created the...
Looking Beyond Appearances
The world says that Christmas is over. Decorations are down in stores where there are the “after holiday sales.” Radio stations are back to playing only their regular type of music with no Christmas...