Once again, we see a new confrontation between Jesus and the Pharisees. The Pharisees were the strictest observers of the Law in the time of Jesus. One of the most important precepts was to respect...
Mercy
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Friar Reflection
Taking on Jesus’ Yoke
L’Amerique is novelist Thierry Sagnier’s story of a Parisian family’s fight to survive the devastation of World War II. Sagnier’s novel includes this moment: “They reminisced about the war. Cecile...
The Face of God
In the Gospel today Jesus is speaking out of experience, His experience that the Rabbis and the wise men rejected Him but the simple people accepted Him. The intellectuals had no use for Him, the...
Directing the Gospel
Several weeks ago, on my blog I published “Your Script”. I am borrowing from that post for today’s homily. In the gospel Jesus says, “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida”. Previously I noted...
The Things We Give Up
“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is...
The Pep Talk
In today’s Gospel, Jesus gives a “pep talk” to the twelve disciples He is sending out on mission. It has to be the worst pep talk ever - realistic, but grim. 16 “Behold, I am sending you like sheep...
Good Out of Evil: God is in Control
We often hear of tragedies with innocent victims suffering. The times we were and are still living with the Pandemic has not been an exception. The usual reaction is to question why God allows these...
Knowing the Mission
I have two thoughts for you today. The first concerns “the twelve” while the second involves Jesus’ instructions: “Do not go into pagan territory or enter a Samaritan town. Go rather to the lost...
Wrestling with God
You are sympathetic to a charity and would like to help, but money is tight right now (which actually it isn’t). Should I write a check or not? You can make a case that you were not responsible, but...
Jesus the Healer
Jesus was both a teacher and healer who showed by His words and actions that God is with us in times of joy but especially when our burdens are heavy. In today’s Gospel we have two healing stories,...
The Art of Following
Today’s passage for Matthew provides useful material for reflection upon the nature of ministry of Jesus and of the church as well. Jesus calls Matthew to follow Him, yet Jesus follows Matthew and...
Temptations and Trials
“God put Abraham to the test.” Would a loving and merciful God really put someone to the test by asking them to sacrifice their beloved child and then tell them, “Only testing”? What about poor...