Friar Daily Reflection
God’s Messengers and Care For Us
Today we celebrate the feast of the Archangels, Michael, Raphael, and Gabriel. In the 1990s just before the turn of the millennium, New Age spirituality and angels suddenly became very popular. Whenever I visited the States during that time the stores were full of...
Satan
In today’ s first reading from the Book of Job we are presented with the figure of Satan. In this book Satan is not a demonic figure but the Accuser, something like a prosecuting attorney as we hear in the Book of Revelation: “Now have salvation and power come, and...
Sent On Mission
God tells Jeremiah in the first reading today that before he was born, God had chosen him for the mission proclaiming God Word and presence to everyone else. God also promises to protect Jeremiah during that mission. In a similar way in the Gospel, Jesus sends his...
Perplexed
Herod the Great ruler in Jerusalem around the time of Jesus’ birth was known for the construction of the great temple in Jerusalem and the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem at the time of Jesus’ birth. Herod the Great was also ruthless in his dealing with...
The Kingdom of God
In today’s Gospel Jesus sends the Twelve Apostles to continue his mission and announce his message of the healing love and mercy of God. “Jesus summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the...
Yom Kippur
Today our Jewish brothers and sisters observe Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. On this day they confess their sins and experience the great mercy of God as they sing in the Psalm 103: “The Lord is kind and merciful, slow to anger, and rich in compassion.” (Psalm...
What if?
Note: this homily is for the parish elementary school Mass using Is 46:6 and Matthew 6:25-33 There are two words that have more power than you imagine. These two words can make you nervous, keep you awake at night, and turn a perfectly good day into a day filled with...
Living the Cross
Today we remember and celebrate the day that St Francis of Assisi was marked physically by the wounds of the cross in his body in the final years before his death. We call that the stigmata. Francis had a vision of a six-winged fiery seraph angel that transformed into...
All You Need Is Love
In today’s first reading Paul teaches that “all you need is love” but love in a Christian sense. He closes his reflection on the virtue of love with the statement: “So, faith, hope, love remain…but the greatest is love.” This hymn is often used as one of the...
Our Lady of Sorrows
The readings today are from the Memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows which commemorates the Virgin Mary’s suffering during the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Its origins trace back to the 11th–12th centuries, with the Servite Order (founded in 1233) playing a key role in...