Friar Daily Reflection
Poor in Spirit
In today’s first reading James has some challenging and even harsh words for the rich: “Come now, you rich, weep and wail over your impending miseries.” The problem is not possessions or riches per se but how they have earned these riches and what they have done with...
Whose Side Are You On?
Today people seem to like to choose a side and exclude and even refuse to listen to those with whom they disagree. They watch only the news channels that agree with their position and refuse to listen to anyone else they think might be against them. Such people...
Problem and Cure
The first reading for today is from the Letter of James. It is a passage structured in three parts: the problem is identified (4:1–3), its incompatibility with God is described (vv. 4–7), and the cure of the vice is indicated (vv. 7–10). In Jewish and Hellenistic...
Mary, Mother of the Church
In today’s Gospel we hear the story of Mary, the mother of God, and the “disciple whom Jesus loved” standing at the foot of cross. Jesus speaks to Mary: “Woman, behold your son.” Then he says to the disciple “Behold, your mother.” We as a church are called to be...
Do you love me?
When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He then said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you...
Jesus Prays
In today’s Gospel Jesus prays for us with these words, “I pray not only for these, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.” You and I have come to believe in Jesus through the words of the Gospel. These words are the preaching of the apostles...
Constancy and Communion
In today’s reading both Paul and Jesus stress the importance of being sent into the world to be signs of God’s love while remaining faithful to the communion and teaching received from them. In the first reading from Acts, Paul gives his farewell address to the...
Complete Joy
We are rapidly approaching the end of the Easter season. Each year we celebrate this season to renew our joy. Our joy as Christians has its root in the Christ’s victory over sin and death, the resurrection, and our undeserving incorporation into the resurrection....
Peace
In today’s gospel we read: “I have told you this so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.” (John 16:33) The word “this” refers to all that Jesus has told his disciples in this and the...
Be Not Afraid
In today’s first reading the Lord tells Paul, “Do not be afraid.” The Lord does not promise Paul a carefree life. Indeed, Paul is hauled before the proconsul Gallio by the Jews in Corinth and accused of “inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.” ...