Friar Daily Reflection
Yom Kippur
In today’s first reading from the Book of Leviticus Moses instructs the Israelites about the various holy days or “festivals of the Lord.” So, we hear about the Jewish feast of Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread that follows right after Passover. The most...
Fishing
In today’s Gospel we come to the end of the Parable Chapter in Matthew’s Gospel. The Evangelist has collected various parables that Jesus told throughout his ministry into Chapter 13. In today’s Gospel Jesus tells the Parable of the Fishnet, a parable that would...
What we treasure
In our gospel for today, Jesus gives two short parables today—simple, vivid, and deeply challenging. They’re about people who find something so valuable that they are willing to give up everything else to possess it. One finds a treasure in a field. Another finds a...
The Heart of God
“So the LORD passed before him [Moses] and proclaimed: ‘The LORD, the LORD, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity, continuing his kindness for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin; yet not...
A Mustard Seed
Jesus teaches through everyday experience, the sights and sounds that people experience each day. In today’s Gospel he uses the experience of seeing a tiny mustard seed or the experience of mixing yeast with wheat flour. Jesus teaches that both experiences tell us...
Earthen Vessels
“But we hold this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing power may be of God and not from us.” 2 Cor 4:7 St. Paul speaks with remarkable honesty about the fragile condition of human life and discipleship. We are, he says, like jars of clay, earthen...
Parables
In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks about the purpose of parables. Jesus often teaches using parables or stories taken from daily life such as the farmer sowing, or the story of the growth of a mustard seed. When his disciples ask him why he speaks in parables he...
Mana – God Provides
The history of the Exodus of Israel from slavery in Egypt and its journey through the desert to the promised land is not just a story of a time long ago. It is our story, our living story of salvation history. We are right in the middle of that story. Above all we see...
Apostolorum Apostola
Today is the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene and the reading is from the Gospel of John. The scene in the garden after the Resurrection is not Mary’s first appearance in Scripture. Did you know that Mary Magdalene is mentioned 12 times in the gospels, more than most of...
Whose Will?
What is the basis of your relationship with God? Are you looking for some personal benefit in life through your relationship with God? Is your relationship with God based on bending reality or even God to your expectations and desires? Are you looking to be impressed...