Friar Daily Reflection
Recognition
Mary Magdalene did not recognize Jesus in the garden. The folks walking to Emmaus did not recognize Him on the road. In today’s gospel the apostles don’t recognize Jesus. There seems to be a lot of that going around. Perhaps the seashore encounter is different. The...
The First Words
Today we hear the first words from the risen Christ for that first Christian community in Jerusalem. That community was in hiding due to fear of being arrested and also the community was in the midst of a crushing sadness and grief due to Jesus’ passion and death. His...
God in the Pots
In the gospel reading for today we share the story of the two disciples on that first Easter heading home discouraged by the events that had unfolded with the death of Jesus. By the time that Cleopas and his unnamed companion had walked with Jesus the seven miles from...
The Empty Tomb
We continue to celebrate Easter Week, the Week of Light. We look at Mary Magdalena, the first evangelist. She went to the tomb sure in her expectations to find death. She was full of sadness, mourning, and loss. Then she tried to explain the fact of the empty tomb...
Do Not be Afraid
In today’s Gospel we hear the story of the women’s encounter with the resurrected Jesus. Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” came to the tomb early in the morning and found it empty. As the ran from the tomb the resurrected Jesus appeared to them first with words of...
In the Shadows
The gospel reading for the Wednesday of Holy week is always about Judas and his betrayal of Jesus. The day has the unofficial title of “Spy Wednesday.” The story is well known. Judas accepts 30 pieces of silver from the religious leadership of Jerusalem to inform...
Embracing Betrayal
Remembering important events during the Last Supper, John records some long discourses during that meal. Today we look at an outstanding moment from that night. This time the words and actions are short, but very powerful. Where is the glory of God? The answer is...
Martha, Mary, Lazarus
In today’s Gospel we once again hear about Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. We already heard about these three family members in chapter 11, the story of the “Raising of Lazarus.” That chapter began by introducing those two sisters and their brother: “Now a man was ill,...
Signs
In John’s Gospel Jesus performed healings or miracles which the Evangelist called signs or good works. Today’s Gospel reading concludes with the people recalling the testimony of John the Baptist: “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was...
Never See Death
In John’s Gospel we are nearing the end of Jesus’ ministry, and he is speaking ever more clearly about who he is and his mission. Jesus’ communion with God gives him the confidence of the son of God, the God of life. His declarations in today’s Gospel would have been...