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Friar Daily Reflection

The world as it is

The world as it is

This story about the “dishonest steward” follows immediately after St. Luke’s telling of the Prodigal Son in which the young man wastes wealth and opportunity, but comes to his senses, returns home and is restored to the family. The dishonest steward is one who wastes...

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Looking for the Lost

Looking for the Lost

The opening of today’s Gospel says that tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus. In a natural religiosity based on rigid rules and external purity, Jesus’ practices were scandalous. He constantly contaminated himself by actively associating...

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Carrying the Cross

Carrying the Cross

Today’s Gospel is shocking indeed.  Jesus seems to preach hate: “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”  Does Jesus really want us to hate those the...

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The Great Banquet

The Great Banquet

There is a sharp contrast in today’s Gospel reading between the opening expression of joy and thanksgiving expressed at the table with Jesus and the overshadowing sadness of the parable. Throughout the Gospels Jesus uses table fellowship and parables about banquets to...

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The Way We Walk

The Way We Walk

From time to time, my dad would remind me that “every person you meet is your better in that you can learn something from them.” Good and sage advice. I wonder if he knew he was echoing Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote: “In my walks, every man I meet is my superior in...

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The Communion of the Saints

The Communion of the Saints

Today we celebrate a basic point in our mission and vocation as Christians: we are all called to live as saints. One of the wonderful things about being Catholic is that there is a patron saint for every imaginable human activity, profession, or trade. Today’s mass is...

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Mystery of the Gospel

Mystery of the Gospel

In today’s first reading from Ephesians Paul warns us about the cosmic struggle that we face in our daily Christian life: “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers…with the evil spirits in the heavens.”  Paul instructs...

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Slaves

Slaves

In today’s first reading we have two sayings or exhortation.  The first saying exhorts children: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.  Honor your father and mother.”  The second saying is more difficult: “Slaves, be obedient to your masters...

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Out of Place

Out of Place

Have you ever been in a place where you feel as though you are out of place? Not unwelcomed in a broad sense, but a bit of an intruder. The realization can come upon you unexpectedly and you enter into a liminal space where time freezes and you quickly process what is...

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