The Friar Podcasts - preaching prayer and spiritual reflections

Eleazar and Zacchaeus. Two experiences of believers. Eleazar the faithful man who refuses to pretend in his faith. Zacchaeus, the man who seeks the forgiveness of Jesus and takes action to show the sincerity of his desire. Both are great examples. Who are you?

Readings for Today

At the risk of causing diehard Thomists to pelt me with rotten tomatoes, let me suggest that there is a good reason it is Saint Albert the Great and it is not Saint Thomas Aquinas the Great. Now I am not putting down such a brilliant mind as Thomas. Would that I had a tiny microscopic part of his intelligence! But Saint Albert the Great was great I would argue because he studied absolutely everything he could, from theology to natural science to philosophy and psychology, but he worked hard to take very abstract concepts and to make them accessible to all. But in a world where more and more people are like Pilate in asking "What is truth?", the Church needs a Saint Albert the Great more than ever before.

It does not take much of a look around our world to see evil. There is the evil of those who go without, not having their basic needs of food, clothing, shelter or health care met. There are those who experience the evil of sickness, violence, poverty and oppression. We live in a world where the battle between good and evil is all around us. As people of faith, we know that Christ has won the victory. We know Jesus is the Truth and he will set us free. But we know too it is easy to get ensnared in pornography, drugs, materialism, greed and selfishness. And these make us less free. As we approach the season of Advent in just two weeks, perhaps this is the time to remember that Jesus can renew our spiritual lives anytime we ask.

Readings for Today

Choices. Our life is a series of choices. Sometimes they are minor choices, like will I have this or that for lunch, or will I wear this shirt or that. Other times the choices are more significant. Should I marry this person? Should I enter religious life? Should I leave this job for that one? The most important choice? Will you take up your cross and follow Jesus?

Readings for Today

Given at Christian Brothers College High School, Town and Country, Missouri.

I have opinions. Lots of them. And I am prone to think that I am always right. But often I forget that true wisdom, the discovery of the truth comes only through discerning. I have to discipline myself to being silent in God's presence, waiting to see what God reveals. That is hard. That makes it harder, for I cannot always quickly know what is right. But being in God's presence, patiently awaiting his action in our own life and in the world, helps us to be faithful to the psalm: "Be still and know that I am God."

Readings for Today

Today we celebrate the dedication of the pope's cathedral in Rome. As we celebrate this dedication, which actually occurred centuries ago, it becomes a time where we are remind of very many things. At the heart of the pope is a bishop's care for the people of God. Among other titles, the pope is the Bishop of Rome. We are also reminded of the fact we are all temples of the Holy Spirit, which should guide us to recognize that all humans are made in God's image and likeness. This realization should have the effect of shaping our beliefs and our actions.

Readings for Today

I have been so fortunate to have so many wonderful women in my life. My mother is a saintly woman who taught me much about being generous. There was always room for one more at the table. Those women who taught me in school benefitted my education more than any of them will ever know. In graduate studies I had strong powerful women who helped provide a well-rounded education. And in today's readings there are two widows who teach us what trusting in God really means.

Readings for today

I love the image in today's gospel. Do you ever stop to think that every time you go to confession and leave, there is tremendous joy in heaven on the part of the angels and the saints? Sometimes I know I forget that the gospel is not some abstract concept, but is real and is meant to penetrate the heart.

Readings for Today

Given at Christian Brothers College High School, Town and Country, Missouri. You can pray the rosary with us today by going to our audio recording. Non-Catholics (and even some Catholics) are not exactly accurate when they speak about prayer and the saints. You may often hear a Catholic say, "I prayed to Saint Anthony," for example, and not really that we are actually asking St. Anthony to pray for us. That said, as they are in the presence of God, saints are powerful intercessors for us. And no saint is a more powerful pray-er on our behalf, than the Blessed Mother, Mary, the Mother of Jesus. Readings for Today

Given at Christian Brothers College High School, Town and Country, Missouri. What does God want? So much hinges on the answer to this question. The answer can send our lives into different directions. Fortunately, in today's gospel Jesus tells us. God wants us to be saved. Readings for Today. (While there are many options for readings today, today the readings suggested by the USCCB were used.)