Friar Daily Reflection
The Way We Walk
From time to time, my dad would remind me that “every person you meet is your better in that you can learn something from them.” Good and sage advice. I wonder if he knew he was echoing Ralph Waldo Emerson who wrote: “In my walks, every man I meet is my superior in...
The Communion of the Saints
Today we celebrate a basic point in our mission and vocation as Christians: we are all called to live as saints. One of the wonderful things about being Catholic is that there is a patron saint for every imaginable human activity, profession, or trade. Today’s mass is...
Mystery of the Gospel
In today’s first reading from Ephesians Paul warns us about the cosmic struggle that we face in our daily Christian life: “For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers…with the evil spirits in the heavens.” Paul instructs...
Slaves
In today’s first reading we have two sayings or exhortation. The first saying exhorts children: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother.” The second saying is more difficult: “Slaves, be obedient to your masters...
The Little Mustard Seed That Grows
Today’s first reading from Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is often viewed negatively. Yet to understand it let us look at the background. Paul is giving specific recommendations to the members of a new Christian community, recently converted from paganism. The...
Out of Place
Have you ever been in a place where you feel as though you are out of place? Not unwelcomed in a broad sense, but a bit of an intruder. The realization can come upon you unexpectedly and you enter into a liminal space where time freezes and you quickly process what is...
Signs of the Times
In today’s Gospel Jesus challenges the people to recognize the “signs of the times” just as they can recognize the signs of the weather: “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain…and when you notice that the wind is blowing...
Conversion and Change in the Spirit
Today’s reading from Luke is taken from the 12th chapter that begins by saying there were thousands gathered to listen to his preaching. So many people that they were stepping on each other. What a disturbing image Jesus uses to describe what he is about: a blazing...
Mystery
In today’s first reading Paul talks about mystery: “You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.” A mystery is not a problem to be solved but the plan and will of...
Be Ready; Active Waiting
The Gospel is full of images to symbolize a Christian’s attitude of conversion and active waiting: the prudent and foolish young women waiting for the return of the bride and groom, the sudden appearance of the kingdom, the separation of the sheep and goats, and...