Friar Daily Reflection
Bonfire of Our Vanities
The first reading is from the Prophet Ezekiel from a larger section known as the “Oracles Against the Nations.” In our reading the charge leveled against the prince of Tyre is simple and direct: you have become arrogant, or as we read “haughty of heart”. The prophet...
Treasure in Heaven
In today’s Gospel a young man asks a question that all of us have asked: “Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus’ reply might surprise and even shock us: “Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good.” Jesus is of course...
God’s Vision
Jesus responds to the disciples’ question about divorce and marriage in a very direct and clear way. It is a response that goes beyond the tradition in Israel at the time. Jesus looks at us and the world through the eyes of God. To answer the concerns about divorce,...
Assumption
Today we celebrate the Feast of the Assumption. As we hear in today’s Gospel, Mary is “blessed…among women.” Elizabeth goes on to exclaim, “blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Elizabeth also calls Mary blessed because of her faith: “Blessed are you who believed...
Forgiveness
In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches us about forgiveness and fraternal correction. He lays out a clear and precise procedure: “If your brother or sister sins again you…”. The first step is to speak to them “alone,” then before two or three witnesses, and if they still...
Teaching On The Way To Jerusalem
After the Transfiguration takes the road to Jerusalem and his eventual passion, death, and resurrection. Along the way there are no more large crowds, big miracles, or big sermons, rather he concentrates on his last teaching for his disciples. Today’s Gospel reading...
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...