Friar Daily Reflection
Emmanuel
In today’s Gospel the great promise or vision of Isaiah the prophet is fulfilled: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel…” (Matthew 2:23; Isaiah 7:14). Matthew gives us the meaning of this Hebrew phrase (emmanu-El),...
Just Passing Through or Real Conversion
During most of the pandemic I lived in the Bronx and worked in Harlem in a support program for homeless and street people. Three times a week, I had to take the Metro North train or the subway into Harlem. Many of the larger subway stations have musicians on the...
God of Mercy
“The Lord is gracious and merciful.” This is the proclamation in today’s Responsorial Psalm. In this Psalm we give praise and thanks to God. This psalm proclaims: “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in mercy. The Lord is good to all,...
Who is like our God?
Our first reading is taken from the 40th Chapter of the Prophet Isaiah - a chapter we have been reading for more than a week now. Taken a moment to quickly read over Isaiah 40 and you will note how many key verses there are which the Church uses during the Christmas...
The Many Faces of Our Mother
From our first reading: “Many nations shall join themselves to the LORD on that day, and they shall be his people, and he will dwell among you” (Zech 2:15) When I was in Kenya, I remember the first time I saw local artwork portraying Jesus, Mary, and the Holy Family....
Forgiveness
“Who but God alone can forgive sins?” In today’s Gospel some scribes and some Pharisees accuse Jesus of blasphemy because he said to the paralytic, “As for you, your sins are forgiven.” Jesus discerns their concern. He does not condemn them but tries to enter into...
The Banquet
The first reading today again comes from the Prophet Isaiah. In yesterday’s post what has been, in times past, promised and announced, comes to fruition as the Promise One is depicted as ruling. In place of the kings from the line of David which proved to be faithless...
Responsible not Privileged
The first reading today again comes from the Prophet Isaiah. At the end of this reflection, there is some background on the prophet and his writings which might prove insightful in this first week of Advent readings. But in today’s reading the messianic hope which...
Lord, I Am Not Worthy!
The words of the Centurion in today’s Gospel are words that are very familiar to us. While he desires Jesus to heal his servant, the Centurion objects: “Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed.” We...
The Kingdom of God is Among You
Where is the kingdom of God? Where is God’s reign? Where is heaven? When will God’s kingdom start? What will be the signs? Most people respond to those questions with answers that refer to something outside of themselves, something spectacular, a long time in the...