This Saturday morning, our readings highlight the Prophets Elijah and John the Baptist, two of the greatest prophets from the times before Jesus. In the first reading from Sirach, we hear “In those...
A seat at our tables
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Friar Reflection
How do I want to be saved? May way?
“John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He is possessed by a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they said, ‘Look, he is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax...
Rich in Mercy
“The Lord is gracious and merciful.” Is God a God of wrath or a God or mercy? We hear in today’s Responsorial Psalm that God’s mercy surpasses his wrath: “The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow...
A Willing Role in Salvation
This solemnity, although formally declared dogma in 1854, has a long history of belief and celebration in Christianity since the 4th century and perhaps earlier - the records only go back so far....
On the edge of left behind
There is a lot going on today, December 7th 2021. The nation remembers Pearl Harbor, the church remembers St. Ambrose, and the Season of Advent continues. Since the beginning of Advent this year we...
Who Can Forgive?
In today’s Gospel some of the scribes and Pharisees accuse Jesus of blasphemy. They accuse him of claiming an authority that only God has: “Who but God alone can forgive sins?” Jesus tries to...
Do you believe?
In today’s Gospel Jesus heals two blind men. They cry out to Jesus for mercy: “Son of David have mercy on us!” Jesus’ question to them is simple and direct: “Do you believe?” “Do you believe that...
Thy Will Be Done
Whenever we pray the Our Father, we say the following words: “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be done” (Matthew 6:10). God’s Kingdom is present whenever we do God’s will. Jesus teaches in today’s Gospel...
Feeding So Many with So Little
A scripture scholar in reflecting on this passage points out that in three successive stages of ministry Jesus ended each stage with a meal. First there was the feeding of the five thousand that...
But how can they?
Today is the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. St. Andrew is the patron saint of several countries, notably Scotland and Russia - as well as patron of many other activities, including the Russian...
The Parade of Nations
In our modern times there is perhaps no “parade of nations” more famous than the ceremony that begins the modern Olympic Games. All the nations of the world, national flags at the fore, people...
The Kingdom of God is Near
Jesus inaugurated the Kingdom of God two thousand years ago, but it is still maturing, and it has not yet reached its fullness. He has entrusted this to us, to his Church which is always animated by...