Friar Daily Reflection
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...
The Hard Choice
It has been six years since the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, VA. Say what you will about the intent, purpose or goal of the rally organizers or opponents - we know what unfolded then and all that has unfolded since. It just seems like there is a lot...
Fear the Lord
In today’s first reading from Deuteronomy the Israelites are commanded to fear the Lord: “And now, Israel, what does the Lord, your God, ask of you but to fear the Lord, your God, and follow his ways exactly, to love and serve the Lord, your God, with all your heart...
The Feast of St. Clare
Peter said to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve...
Follow Me
Jesus challenges us in today’s Gospel to follow him: “Whoever serves me must follow me.” We may well ask Jesus, “Follow you where?” He will give us the answer at the Last Supper as he washes the feet of his disciples. He will give us the answer when he is “lifted...
Constance: The Strong Faith of a Mother and The Strong Hope of Two Young People
Today we have two stories of incredible faith that challenge us and call us to bear strong witness with our own lives. In the first reading, in the time after the Exodus, Israel arrives at the border of the Promised Land and sends a group of young men to explore the...
Little Faith
In today’s Gospel Jesus upbraids Peter: “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Peter, like most of the disciples in the Gospels, moves from moments of great faith to moments of little or no faith. Peter shows great faith when he gets out of the boat and walks...
At Wit’s End
If you have been following along with the daily readings at Mass, you know that the first readings have been following the 12 tribes of Jacob as they escaped slavery in Egypt, received the Ten Commandments, fashioned a golden calf, and spent a lot of time complaining,...
Assumptions
The gospel passage Matthew 13:54-58 offers a profound reflection on the nature of assumptions and the limitations they impose on our understanding and beliefs. In this passage, Jesus returns to his hometown, and the people there are astonished by his wisdom and...
The Conversion
The Word of God constantly calls us to conversion and to renew our lives and the public witness of faith. Jesus uses parables to perplex us and call us to deepen our relationship with God and our neighbor. Once again Jesus insists that an inescapable moment of...