Few of us would consider ourselves Saints. We hesitate to call ourselves disciples of Jesus. When we think of saints, we think often think of individuals who were in some form, super human....
The Possibility of Being a Saint
read more
Friar Reflection
Let your light shine!
You have a flashlight and you walk into a darkroom. Do you immediately shut off your flashlight? Of course not! You use the flashlight to see in the darkness. Jesus gives us this practical or...
Memorial of St. Hildegard of Bingen
Today is the Memorial of St. Hildegard of Bingen. From the first reading from the Book of Wisdom we hear Set me as a seal on your heart, as a seal on your arm; For stern as death is love, relentless...
Love and Forgiveness
“So, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; hence, she has shown great love.” Love does not earn forgiveness, rather the experience of forgiveness leads to love. Jesus teaches this message...
To Be Compassionate like Mary
Today is Our Lady of Sorrows feast day. According to Tradition, Mary suffered seven sorrows in her life: 1) the prophecy of Simeon, 2) the flight into Egypt, 3) the loss of the child Jesus in the...
Exaltation and Love
Today is the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. We are used to making the sign of the cross or seeing the cross displayed in our churches and homes. The prominence of the cross may lead us...
The Feast of St. John Chrysostom
Today is the Memorial of St. John Chrysostom (“golden tongue”), known for his oratory skills. John gained popularity because of the eloquence of his public speaking at the Golden Church, Antioch's...
Lord Make me an Instrument of Your Peace
There is a chapter of the TV show the “Simpsons” in which Bart befriends a Muslim boy and Homero, Bart’s father, conditioned by the prejudices of society is suspect of the Middle East Muslim family...
Love your Enemies
In today’s Gospel we hear Jesus’ most difficult and challenging teaching: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” Jesus has...
What Mary Has to Teach Us
Recently the administration of our Franciscan Province has initiated a “virtual wake service” for our deceased friars, where we friars can offer a reflection on the deceased friar’s life. This is...
Principles of Conduct
Our first reading is a letter from St. Paul to the community of believers in Colassae. It was a community begun by a compatriot of Paul’s; a man named Epaphras who visited Paul in prison to give him...
Is it lawful?
What is lawful? This question is asked today in both our civil and religious society. What does the law require and even demand? We see this same debate between Jesus and the Pharisees in today’s...