Just like last Wednesday, the readings today again focus on the theme of fasting. There are different ways of understanding this spiritual practice. I would like to share with you two ways that...
Empty but Full
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Friar Reflection
Daily Cross
“If anyone wishes to come after me, they must deny themself and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Following Jesus is difficult, challenging, and rewarding. The first disciples experienced...
The Time Given
Today’s first reading continues with the accounts in the Book of Genesis. We move from the story of Cain and Abel at the beginning of Genesis 4 to the story of Noah in Genesis 6. Let me fill in the...
It’s your choice
In today’s first reading, the brothers Cain and Abel have just brought an offering to the Lord. Abel brought his best lamb to offer to God in sacrifice. Cain brought some of the first fruits of the...
Forbidden Fruit
In today’s 1st reading we have the classic story of “forbidden fruit.” God has not put a heavy burden on Adam and Eve since He permits them to eat of all the fruit except one: “We may eat of the...
Walking By Faith
My dear sisters and brothers, the emphasis in this great story is not on the healing but on the relationship of Jesus to Gentiles. Jesus came to break down the barriers that divide people. He came...
…nor floods sweep it away
Today is the Feast Day of St. Scholastica, the foundress of the Benedictine Order of nuns and the twin sister of St. Benedict of Nursia, founder of the Benedictine Order of brothers. Together they...
Virtual Lenten Scripture Classes
Fr. Jim Scullion, O.F.M.'s Virtual Lenten Scripture Classes The Gospel of Mark - “Repent and believe in the Gospel” (Mark 1:15) is the traditional admonition on Ash Wednesday from the Gospel of...
Way back when
Between yesterday and today, our first reading covered the story of Creation from Genesis 1. It is a familiar story, a story told in children’s book, a story we have heard countless times over the...
Beginnings
“In the beginning…God saw that it was good…God looked at everything he had made, and found it very good.” (Genesis 1:1, 4, 31) It all begins with God and it all ends with God. It all begins with...
Change
Any proposal that generates a critical conscience in the face of traditional systems is seen and understood as a threat to those who seek power in any time and geographical environment. The...
Our Home
The Gospel today reflects several teachings of Jesus, It speaks of a wallet. The Greek word for wallet is pera which can mean collecting bag. Very often priests went out with these bags to collect...