Friar Daily Reflection
Servant and Apostle
Today we begin reading from Paul’s letter to Titus. Paul begins this letter as he begins all his letters by “introducing” himself: “Paul, a servant of God and Apostle of Jesus Christ for the sake of the faith of God's chosen ones and the recognition of religious...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
The Little Mustard Seed That Grows
Today’s first reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is often viewed negatively. Yet to understand it let us look at the background. Paul is giving specific recommendations to the members of a new Christian community, recently converted from paganism. The...