Friar Daily Reflection
Suffering and Glory
The first reading for today begins as St. Paul tells us: “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are as nothing compared with the glory to be revealed for us.” (Rom 8:18) I suspect that when we hear that, we are able to solemnly nod, hoping that once we...
Into the Presence of God
In tomorrow’s first reading from The Letter to the Romans, St. Paul tells us that you, me and all creation is suffering in this world that is as imperfect and incomplete as we are. God created the world and proclaimed it to be good. Then God created humanity and...
Amazing Grace
The well-known hymn, “Amazing Grace” is based on today’s first reading from Paul’s letter to the Romans. The King James Version of today’s reading is: “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our...
Being Fire
Jesus uses an uncomfortable image today: burning fire. Jesus Christ is the fire that changes all of creation. He burns out division and death, the fruits of sin. He is the beginning of the recreation of the whole world. Jesus can see that new creation and he says very...
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...