Friar Daily Reflection
Glory or Humility
The disciples, perhaps like most of us, tend to “half-hear” what Jesus is teaching. In today’s Gospel, for example, Jesus teaches that his way is the way of humility, the way of the Cross: “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed...
So Great a Gift
Following from yesterday’s readings, today we continue with Peter’s first letter. Previously, Peter had challenged believers to experience the joy of such a great faith. His admonishment was to be attentive to the faith received that is more precious than gold. Be...
Refining Gold
Our opening reading today is from the 1st Letter of Peter. In just two short verses, the author provides a summary of the main themes and an outline of the whole letter: (1) God gave us a new birth, (2) this birth leads to a hope, (3) which is based on Jesus’...
A Light in the Darkness
This morning in the parish we are celebrating a school Mass in which we celebrate the children of 2nd grade who recently celebrated their First Holy Communion, the students being inducted into the Jr. National Honor Society, and the “Ceremony of Light.” The ceremony...
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...