Friar Daily Reflection
Be Holy
In today’s first reading the Lord commands the Israelites: “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.” This phrase is translated differently by Matthew and Luke in their respective Gospels: Matthew: “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (5:48)....
Fasting
Today’s readings focus on fasting. What is the meaning and purpose of fasting? When should we fast? What is a fast acceptable to God? In the Gospel on Ash Wednesday Jesus taught us, “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites. They neglect their...
The Cross
In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches his disciples the way of the cross. Jesus truly is the Son of God and the Son of Man and yet his way is one of humility, service, and sacrifice. “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and...
The Joy of Anticipation
There were two dieticians who lived very strict lives of diet and exercise. They would eat a healthy diet, watch blood pressure and cholesterol, get exercise and absolutely eat incredibly intentionally and purposefully. Perhaps the great symbol of all of this was the...
Giving Up Everything
In today’s Gospel we see the disciple’s reaction to Jesus’ encounter and dialog with the rich young man. The young man proclaims that he has good faith and a good practice of that faith. After Jesus calls him to give up his material goods and give them to the poor as...
Who then can be saved?
Today’s gospel asks: “Who then can be saved?” The answer is found in the first reading, words from the Book of Sirach, a passage that speaks to both the reality of human sin and the infinite mercy of God. Sirach 17:20-24 reminds us that though we may fall into sin,...
Christian Marriage
The scribes and pharisees taught based on the authority of their teachers, tracing the tradition of their teaching all the way back to Moses. Today the scribes come to Jesus with what they considered a trick question. They wanted to trip him up publicly so that they...
Salt: Living True to Our Vocation
Personal conversion is central in today’s readings. All of the injunctions against sins, against leading others astray, against centering our lives on material goods and power, against continuance in sinful lives while presuming the forgiveness of God are all summed...
Tuft Battle
In today’s Gospel one of Jesus’ disciples, John, wants to protect his “tuft” and restrict where and how God can work: “Teacher, we saw someone driving out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow us.” Acting like he is protecting...
Endurance
Here in the Northern Virginia area many of our parishioners are under a considerable amount of anxiety and uncertainty due to the efforts of the current administration’s efforts on “government efficiency” (DOGE). This vale of worry affects federal sector employees,...