Friar Daily Reflection
Fatherhood: Listening and Righteousness
Yesterday we began the celebration of the second stage of Advent. These final days of preparation help us to focus on the joy of the historical birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. The Gospels insert us into the very human experience of Jesus’ birth into our human...
A call to remember
Today you might ask a new neighbor or a new parishioner, “Where are you from?” It is a normal question. Growing up in the South it was equally likely for someone to ask, “Who are your people?” Today’s gospel is the answer to that question, which at first hearing,...
One City and Two Sons: Listening and Conversion
In this time of advent, time of waiting, the Word of God comes to us speaking of one city and two sons. We are given these images as a call to true waiting – change, repentance, conversion. The reading from Zephaniah speaks of the city that does not want to hear nor...
Authority
In today’s Gospel Jesus’ authority is questioned and challenged. Jesus, a layman, has just performed a prophetic action in the Temple: “Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all those engaged in selling and buying there. He overturned the tables of the money...
Evangelization With a Mother’s Caring Love
As we all learned in grade school in the USA, the Spaniards arrived in the new world in 1492. They attempted to establish settlements and colonies throughout the Caribbean Islands, Santo Domingo, and Venezuela. Their initial efforts included some attempts at...
The Lord is Merciful
In today’s Responsorial Psalm we proclaim: “The Lord is gracious and merciful; slow to anger, and of great kindness.” These words are taken from Psalm 145. These words and this psalm remind us that the God of love and mercy is not a Christian or New Testament...
The Invitation
Jesus issues a personal invitation to each of us today. We hear this invitation in the words of today’s Gospel: “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and...
Advent Landscaping
Isaiah certainly has away with words. In the first reading for today’s Mass, Isaiah describes mountains being leveled, valleys being filled, and rough places being made smooth. It is a complete revision to the topography of the wilderness. Even in its earth-bound...
The Chosen
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This feast is a celebration of Mary who was chosen by God to be the mother of Jesus and therefore the mother of God. This message is announced to Mary by the angel Gabriel: “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you...
Still in Need of Conversion
In today’s reading from Isaiah, we hear a beautiful vision: “The deaf shall hear… the eyes of the blind shall see… the lowly will find joy in the Lord.” These words are full of hope, and we rightly cherish them during Advent. They promise renewal, justice, and a...