Friar Daily Reflection
Denouncing the Prophet
Today is the Memorial of the Passion of Saint John the Baptist. The gospel reading, from Mark, is the familiar account of Herod’s step-daughter asking for the head of John the Baptist. “Herod was the one who had John the Baptist arrested and bound in prison on account...
Faith, Hope, Love
In today’s first reading we hear Paul giving thanks for the faith, hope, and love of the Thessalonian community: “We give thanks to God always for all of you, remembering you in our prayers, unceasingly calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love and...
The Book of Ruth
The first reading today comes from the Book of Ruth, named for the Moabite woman who commits herself to the Israelite people by an oath to her mother-in-law Naomi and becomes the great-grandmother of David by marriage to Boaz of Bethlehem. Thus, she is an ancestor in...
Personal Qualities
Bartholomew is the Nathaniel that we see in today’s Gospel. When Philip comes to Bartholomew with the news that he had found the savior, Bartholomew makes the famous statement: Can anything good come from Nazareth? So, it seems that Bartholomew was a straightforward...
A Parable of Ambition
The first reading today is from the Book of Judges and is a marvelous parable for its time in Israel’s history. Please take a moment to read the verses known as the Parable of the Trees. The Book of Judges is set in a period of Israel's history after the conquest of...
Prayer and Service
One week after our celebration of the Assumption of Mary we have today’s celebration for the Queenship of Mary which closes a whole week of celebration for Mary. Our modern society does not favor the image of kings and queen. In fact, our democracies reject the place...
Why a “young man”?
In the gospel for today, I always wonder how much to make of the description of the one who questions Jesus as being “a young man.” There are a number of things one could say about this passage that having nothing to do with the questioner’s age. The question reveals...
God’s Intention
The pharisees and all those who relate to God and others through a rigid legal structure can only see the rigors of the Law. They become so legalistic that they lose a true relation with God and neighbor. The pharisees tried to trap Jesus with a question about the...
How Many Times
In today’s Gospel Peter asked a question that I am sure most of us have asked at one time or another: “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often must I forgive them?” At times forgiveness is easy but at times it may seem difficult if not impossible to...
Community, Correction, and Prayer
Whenever I feel offended, I think I need to justify myself and punish or correct the other person. I am the center of the process. I am the important person in the equation because I have been offended. Most people, even those who call themselves Christians, tend to...