Friar Daily Reflection
A week with Ezekiel
Beginning today, Monday, and continuing until August 24th, with the exception of some solemnities, Sundays, feast/memorial celebrations, our first reading is from the Prophet Ezekiel. It is a dense book with lots going on, and it is broken up into bits and bites that...
The True Cross
The image above is a painting, “Finding of the True Cross” by Agnolo Gaddi. It came to mind when preparing for this reflection and as a popular expression came to mind: “that’s their cross to bear.” What that means is that the person must accept an unpleasant...
Suffering Servant or Political Messiah King
The profession of faith by Peter in today’s passage from the Gospel is a culmination point in the first section of the Gospel. Everything that comes before this moment in the Gospel, all Jesus’ preaching, marvelous deeds, table fellowships, and teaching, is meant to...
The Outsider
In today’s Gospel a woman asks for compassion and mercy and Jesus answers not a word. She is an “outsider,” a Canaanite woman seeking Jesus’ help: “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is tormented by a demon.” Matthew describes Jesus’ response this...
Transfiguration of Ourselves and Our World Through the Cross
On the road to Jerusalem para the feast of Passover, the disciples of Jesus were filled wonder from all the marvelous deeds, healings, actions, and words of Jesus. They had very high expectations about their arrival in Jerusalem, the capital, with Jesus. Many thought...
An Unpopular Stand
It is always a tough thing to take an unpopular stand especially when among people you know will not support. Do we shy away from the moment - I mean, why waste time and effort? But what about as a listener? What about when one message is something you agree with or...
Jeremiah’s Message
The last of the righteous and faithful kings of Israel, Josiah, died in 609 BC. He was a reforming king who relentlessly called the people of Judah to return to the Lord, be faithful to the covenant, and live righteous lives. Jeremiah was a prophet who echoed Josiah’s...
Living or Judging
Today’s parable shows us a way of looking at our lives and the world that has not really penetrated well into our Christian culture. The fishing nets collects all kinds of fish that eventually have to be separated into those that are edible and non-edible. Jesus said...
Woe to Me
Jeremiah was to say the least, a reluctant prophet as we heard in the story of his call: “The word of the Lord came to me: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I dedicate you, a prophet to the nations I appointed you. ‘Ah, Lord God’ I...
Weeds and Wheat
In today’s Gospel Jesus explains to his disciples the meaning of the parable of the weeds and the wheat that he previously told (Matthew 13:24-29). In the parable the Master of the household ordered his servants to allow the weeds and the wheat to grow together until...