Friar Daily Reflection
Sin and Grace
In yesterday’s reading St. Paul writes that “Through one man sin entered the world, and through sin, death and thus death came to all men, inasmuch (houtōs) as all sinned.” If you are interested in how the translation of the simple Greek word “houtōs” affects...
Vigilance – Preparedness – Service
Today’s Gospel is very short, but it sets out for us a basic Christian attitude towards life. The servant who is waiting through the night for the return of the master should not be dressed in pajamas and comfortably asleep. A sleeping servant could answer the knock...
You Can’t Take It with You!
Jesus tells a parable in today’s Gospel about the proper use of possessions. He introduces the parable because he is asked to arbitrate an inheritance dispute: “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” Jesus refuses to become involved in this...
Trusting
Today’s first reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, one of the most challenging and complex of all the New Testament books - and addresses an equally complex character in the person of Abraham. Known for his unwavering faith in God he is a person who is not...
Justification by Faith
Today we continue reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans. Today’s passage is the key passage in all of Romans. Paul declares, “[All] are justified freely by his [God’s] grace through redemption in Christ Jesus.” Paul first sums up the first part of Romans...
Evangelization
Today is the Feast of St. Luke, the Evangelist. Today’s Gospel is taken from the Gospel that Luke wrote. He not only wrote the Gospel that bears his name but also the Acts of the Apostles. His Gospel is the story of Jesus and Acts describes how the story of Jesus...
Holiness: The Reason for the Custom
The Old Testament is full of rules and regulations. All those rules were meant to maintain Israel as a chosen people with a shining holiness, a special relationship with God. Their holiness was not just for their own personal good, but it was also supposed to attract...
The Obedience of Faith
Today’s first reading is from St. Paul’s Letter to the Romans, one of the most challenging and complex of all the New Testament books. The reading is from the opening of Romans and contains what is the most interesting of phrases: “obedience of faith.” How are we to...
The Heart: Law or Mercy
An expert in religious law asks Jesus a question: how to get into heaven? Jesus does not answer the question but has the expert answer his own question. His answer is: love God and love your neighbor. Jesus says that is a perfect answer. If he had been in school, he...
Nagging Prayer
In today’s Gospel Jesus continues his teaching on prayer. In yesterday’s Gospel Jesus’ disciples ask him to teach them how to pray after Jesus himself had just finished praying. He taught them the words to the “Our Father” although the version in Luke (11:2-4) is...