Friar Daily Reflection
The Bulwark
We should certainly hear an echo of the Lord’s Prayer in today’s gospel: ““Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times.” The mention of “forgiveness”...
Prophets
Who are the true prophets and what does a prophet do? True prophets are those who speak the word of God. Both Elisha in today’s first reading and Jesus in today’s Gospel are prophets. Elisha speaks not his own words but the words and message of God. Jesus not only...
Rejection
Both of today’s readings tell the story of rejection. In the first reading from Genesis, Joseph is rejected by his other brothers. His brothers “hated him” out of jealously because his father loved “Joseph best out of all his sons, for he was the child of his old...
Trust
Today’s readings are all about trust. Whom or what do we and should we trust? The first reading from the prophet Jeremiah challenges us to trust not in human beings but in the Lord. The prophet pictures those who trust in the Lord as trees, “planted beside the...
Disturbed
I am a bit troubled by today’s readings. The gospel is this uncomfortable sequence in which Jesus, for the third time, has told his disciples “Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to...
Conversation with God and Moving Away from Pride and Privilege
Jesus gives a tremendous condemnation to the religious leader of the times. He recognizes what they teach as important but faults them on their lifestyle. They make themselves important through outwards signs of distinction and at the same time do not live the life...
A Litany for Our Life
What did you take away from today’s readings? Before reading on, take a moment. Click on the link and peruse the readings for today. What are the one or two notions or ideas that stand out for you? We’ll wait… The first reading is largely a confession of sin, a lament...
Ashes and Blessings
This past Ash Wednesday all were welcomed to receive ashes since all of us are both saints and sinners. As we receive ashes Jesus invites us to “Repent and believe in the Gospel,” or “Turn and put our faith and trust in God.” Before Jesus issues this invitation he...
Jesus Brings All People Together
As human beings, we tend to choose division, to choose our own personal needs over the needs of others and to impose our will on everyone else. This is called the way of sin. We Catholics called that original sin. The devil produces division and separation – division...
One Man’s Faith Shared Publicly
Today’s feast refers to Peter’s chair as the teaching chair of a professor or the presiding chair of a bishop. It is the chair of authority regarding teaching and doctrine. The importance of Peter’s teaching of faith comes from today’s Gospel. He is the first to fully...