Friar Daily Reflection
Christian Forgiveness
Once again, the disciples come to Jesus with a question of faith and once again Peter is the spokesperson for the group. You and I come from a background of many centuries of Christian culture and listening to the Gospel. I am not saying that the Gospel has really...
What we are called to do
You can reduce today’s gospel to simply be a guide for settling disputes, but it is more than that. It is a guide for living together as His disciples. The goal is to guard the unity of the Church through truth, love, and mercy so that the Church remains an...
The Greatest
The first disciples were human beings just like us full of questions, hopes, and doubts. Looking for a way to follow in life. Today they come to Jesus with a simple question so that they might have an example to follow, a guide for their life. Who is the greatest in...
Love of God
In today’s first reading from Deuteronomy Moses tells us what God wants of us, namely, reverence and love: “And now, Israel, what does the LORD, your God, ask of you but to fear the LORD, your God, and follow his ways exactly, to love and serve the LORD, your God,...
The Feast of St. Clare of Assisi
Peter said to Jesus, “We have given up everything and followed you. What will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, I say to you that you who have followed me, in the new age, when the Son of Man is seated on his throne of glory, will yourselves sit on twelve...
There is only One
Today’s first reading is from the Book of Deuteronomy, the fifth and final book of the Torah, presenting Moses' farewell speeches to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. Structured as a renewal of the Covenant, Deuteronomy restates the Law given...
The Key and The Rock
It seems there was a great deal of confusion and diversity of opinions about who Jesus was even within that first community of faith, the first disciples and apostles. Jesus spent several years with the disciples dedicated to preaching, teaching, healing, miracles,...
Listen to Him
The Feast of the Transfiguration is one of those Gospel scenes that almost overwhelms us with beauty. Jesus, radiant with divine light. Moses and Elijah appeared in glory. The mountain enveloped in a cloud—the biblical sign of God’s presence. And the Father’s voice...
Focusing on Jesus – Courage, Confidence, and Faith
My family has a cottage on a small lake in Upstate NY, in the Adirondacks. There are a lot of watercrafts at the camp: ski jets, kayaks, sailboats, and motorboats. It would be very rare for one of us to take a boat out onto the lake during the night. It is just too...
Hungry People
In both readings today we have stories of hungry people. In the first reading from Numbers the Israelites lament and complain because they have no food but this “disgusting” manna. They would even been willing to return to the “good old days” in Egypt! “Would that...