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Friar Daily Reflection

The Folly of Empty Worship

The Folly of Empty Worship

Today’s gospel (Matthew 23:1-12) seems pretty clear in its intention: the burdens laid upon the people by the Pharisees and their scribes are not pleasing to the Lord. The burdens include the Pharisaic interpretations of the Law (You have heard it said….but I say to...

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Mercy

Mercy

In today’s Gospel Jesus calls us to be Godlike: “Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.”  We hear of the great mercy of God in today’s first reading from the book of Daniel: “O Lord, we are ashamed, like our kings, our princes, and our ancestors, for...

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Pray: Persistence and Hope

Pray: Persistence and Hope

Once again in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus speaks to his disciple about prayer and attitude of hope that is behind all Christian prayer. In this Lent of the Holy Year Pope Francis has called us all to journey together in hope. Christian prayer is rooted in hope. It...

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The Word Unleashed

The Word Unleashed

We are here in the first week of Lent and the collection of first readings so far this week have emphasized the Word of God. On Monday, the Word comes from God through his prophet Moses where he instructs the people about the meaning of God’s intentions couched in the...

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Daddy

Daddy

Prayer is one of the three ancient ways of penance which are important in this time of Lent to renew our Christian life: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. In the Sermon on the Monte, Jesus proposes a prayer that comes from his heart for his followers. It is known as...

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Be Holy

Be Holy

In today’s first reading the Lord commands the Israelites: “Be holy, for I, the Lord, your God, am holy.”  This phrase is translated differently by Matthew and Luke in their respective Gospels: Matthew: “So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (5:48)....

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Fasting

Fasting

Today’s readings focus on fasting.  What is the meaning and purpose of fasting?  When should we fast?  What is a fast acceptable to God?  In the Gospel on Ash Wednesday Jesus taught us, “When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.  They neglect their...

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The Cross

The Cross

In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches his disciples the way of the cross.  Jesus truly is the Son of God and the Son of Man and yet his way is one of humility, service, and sacrifice.  “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and...

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The Joy of Anticipation

The Joy of Anticipation

There were two dieticians who lived very strict lives of diet and exercise. They would eat a healthy diet, watch blood pressure and cholesterol, get exercise and absolutely eat incredibly intentionally and purposefully. Perhaps the great symbol of all of this was the...

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