Friar Daily Reflection
Mary, Mother of the Church
In today’s Gospel we hear the story of Mary, the mother of God, and the “disciple whom Jesus loved” standing at the foot of cross. Jesus speaks to Mary: “Woman, behold your son.” Then he says to the disciple “Behold, your mother.” We as a church are called to be...
Do you love me?
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you...
Jesus Prays
In today’s Gospel Jesus prays for us with these words, “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” You and I have come to believe in Jesus through the words of the Gospel. These words are the preaching of the apostles...
Constancy and Communion
In today’s reading both Paul and Jesus stress the importance of being sent into the world to be signs of God’s love while remaining faithful to the communion and teaching received from them. In the first reading from Acts, Paul gives his farewell address to the...
Complete Joy
We are rapidly approaching the end of the Easter season. Each year we celebrate this season to renew our joy. Our joy as Christians has its root in the Christ’s victory over sin and death, the resurrection, and our undeserving incorporation into the resurrection....
Peace
In today’s gospel we read: “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33) The word “this” refers to all that Jesus has told his disciples in this and the...
Be Not Afraid
In today’s first reading the Lord tells Paul, “Do not be afraid.” The Lord does not promise Paul a carefree life. Indeed, Paul is hauled before the proconsul Gallio by the Jews in Corinth and accused of “inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.” ...
Joy
Today’s Gospel comes from Jesus’ prayer and discourse during the Last Supper. He is trying to prepare the apostles for his imminent passion, death, and resurrection. He says: A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see...
Paul and the Athenians
The Apostles have been commissioned to preach the Gospel to the whole world: “But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). In...
Blessing and Praising God
Today we see an amazing attitude in Paul and Silas – an attitude that has been largely forgotten by modern day Christians. After preaching they are arrested. At the public trial the whole crowd of people present there spoke against them. As a result, they were beaten...