Friar Daily Reflection
What Kind of Eyes?
The gospels from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 and 6) continue and in many ways the underlying question remains for whom and with whom are we choosing to be formed; who and what are we becoming. “The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is sound, your whole...
Our Father
In today’s Gospel Jesus teaches us how to pray. He teaches us not only the words to use but also our attitude in approaching God. We should approach God with simplicity and trust. We do not need to use a lot of honorific titles to “butter” God up to make him listen...
Righteous Deeds
In today’s Gospel Jesus continues his teaching on “greater righteousness” that he called for at the beginning of the section with these words: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter into the kingdom of...
Love and Hate
Last week our daily gospels were taken from the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). A major theme was a series of three gospels was a description of progression in Christian discipleship in asking three foundational questions. Who is God shaping me to become? What effect...
Turn the Other Cheek
In today’s Gospel Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:1-7:28). In this section Jesus continues his authoritative interpretation of the Torah, the Scripture. He first quotes a Scripture text: “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a...
Sacred Heart of Jesus
Today is the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus. As we hear in today readings this feast is a celebration of God’s love for us.: “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is of God; everyone who loves is begotten by God and knows God.” This 2nd...
Greater Righteousness
In today’s Gospel Jesus continues his Sermon on the Mount by calling his disciples to a “greater righteousness.” In his programmatic statement Jesus warns his disciples: “I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not...
The Foundation
Today is the third of three days reflecting on the daily gospels all taken from Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount. They are not merely three disconnected sections of the Sermon on the Mount; they describe a progression in Christian discipleship: Monday, the question...
When the Beatitudes become visible
Today is the second of three consecutive days when I am presiding at the parish daily Mass. The three gospels are all taken from Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount. What follows is really one longer reflection delivered over three days because these three Gospel...
Who are we becoming?
Today is the first of three consecutive days when I am presiding at the parish daily Mass. The three gospels are all taken from Matthew 5, the Sermon on the Mount. What follows is really one longer reflection delivered over three days because these three Gospel...