Friar Daily Reflection
Be Not Afraid
In today’s first reading the Lord tells Paul, “Do not be afraid.” The Lord does not promise Paul a carefree life. Indeed, Paul is hauled before the proconsul Gallio by the Jews in Corinth and accused of “inducing people to worship God contrary to the law.” ...
Joy
Today’s Gospel comes from Jesus’ prayer and discourse during the Last Supper. He is trying to prepare the apostles for his imminent passion, death, and resurrection. He says: A little while and you will no longer see me, and again a little while later and you will see...
Paul and the Athenians
The Apostles have been commissioned to preach the Gospel to the whole world: “But you will receive power when the holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). In...
Blessing and Praising God
Today we see an amazing attitude in Paul and Silas – an attitude that has been largely forgotten by modern day Christians. After preaching they are arrested. At the public trial the whole crowd of people present there spoke against them. As a result, they were beaten...
Spirit and Persecutions
The readings for today continue the account of the early Church as told in the Acts of the Apostles and continues the Farewell Discourse from the Gospel of John in which Jesus, on Holy Thursday, after the Last Supper, is still working to encourage and prepare his...
Listening to the Word of God – Service and Praise
The month of May in North America brings new life and joy through the warm spring weather and the blossoming of the plants and trees. The whole world seems to wake up suddenly from a long cold winter sleep. So, it is proper to honor Mary as our queen during the month...
Much Debate
Controversy and debate are not something new in the church. As we hear in today’s first reading even in the earliest church there was “much debate.” Luke begins this chapter by presenting the reason for this debate: “Some who had come down from Judea were...
Pruning the Branches
The gospel today is talking about vineyards. Vineyards are like a garden - sort of. Unlike a garden where you can grow all kinds of flowers and vegetables, vineyards grow one thing: grapes - and usually for making wine. I don’t have a “green thumb” but I can...
Peace
In John’s Gospel just before his passion, death, and resurrection, Jesus prepares his apostles for his imminent physical separation from them with prayer, peace, and a sign of sacrificing service. Today we hear his words about peace. “Peace I leave with you; my peace...
St. Catherine of Siena
Today is the Feast Day of St. Catherine of Siena, along with St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy! As a feast day, there are readings specific to the occasion, taken from the First Letter of St. John and the Gospel of Matthew - and these are well chosen...