The Friar Podcasts - preaching prayer and spiritual reflections

Given at the LaSalle Retreat Center, Glencoe, MO. Ezra was a prophet who arose at a bad, but the right, time. The people had gone astray and their entire lives had fallen apart. If they lived today, I doubt they would have been posting their suffering on social media. Finally coming to their senses, they are ready to make a change. They recognize that the important time is now -- they need to follow God. Sometimes we can be fooled into thinking that what we see on social media tells the whole story, that every one else is very happy, and we are not. But God gives a much better invitation. Follow him. Readings for Today

Given at Christian Brothers College High School, Town and Country, Missouri. God has a tendency to call people who at first glance do not seem to be likely choices. There is Moses, the poor speaker, or David, whose passions get him into trouble. Today we encounter Matthew the tax collector, who reminds us that God's grace is more powerful than any sin we can commit. Today's Reading

Given at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, University City, Missouri. There is an internal tension in most of us, an angst. We want things we cannot have. Or what we have is never enough, we want more. Many world religions have recognized this angst. For example, Buddhism refers to tanha, or roughly translated "desire" as something that explains why life is suffering. We think if we just get this job, or that house, or this new gadget, we would be happy. Or, if we could just overcome this disease, or not have that coworker, or not have this annoying neighbor, we could be happy. But without humility, that radical honesty about who we are and what we need, we are left suffering. It is only when we recognize that only Jesus fulfills all we want or need that we are truly happy and fulfilled. Readings for Today

There are a not insignificant number of people who believe, I think, in what is sometimes called the "prosperity gospel." That is, the belief that our faith in God will be rewarded by material goods. Yet that runs opposed to most, if not all, of the Scriptures. In his letter to Saint Timothy, Saint Paul warns against seeing faith in Jesus as a means to material wealth. What does this mean for our faith? Readings for Today

There are a not insignificant number of people who believe, I think, in what is sometimes called the "prosperity gospel." That is, the belief that our faith in God will be rewarded by material goods. Yet that runs opposed to most, if not all, of the Scriptures. In his letter to Saint Timothy, Saint Paul warns against seeing faith in Jesus as a means to material wealth. What does this mean for our faith? Readings for Today

Given at Saint Dominic Priory, Saint Louis, Missouri. There are a not insignificant number of people who believe, I think, in what is sometimes called the "prosperity gospel." That is, the belief that our faith in God will be rewarded by material goods. Yet that runs opposed to most, if not all, of the Scriptures. In his letter to Saint Timothy, Saint Paul warns against seeing faith in Jesus as a means to material wealth. What does this mean for our faith? Readings for Today

I judge others. I do it a lot. Yet, I am a sinner. I have no right to judge others, because Jesus has given to me something I do not deserve. Salvation. Mercy. Forgiveness. I hope that I may be able to love much, fully forgiven by Jesus. Readings for Today

Given at Christian Brothers College High School, Town and Country, Missouri. I judge others. I do it a lot. Yet, I am a sinner. I have no right to judge others, because Jesus has given to me something I do not deserve. Salvation. Mercy. Forgiveness. I hope that I may be able to love much, fully forgiven by Jesus. Readings for Today

Homily given at Christian Brothers College High School, Town and Country, Missouri. What image do we desire to present to the public? If social media is any clue, we wish to present the perfect image of ourselves. We are always having a good time, we are never lonely, we are surrounded by lots of happy faces. The reality, of course, for all of us, is that we are not perfect, we are sometimes lonely, and sometimes there are people with brokenness who surround us. What image would God the Father post on social media? The crucifixion. That moment where it appeared Jesus had failed. But it was the moment of his greatest success. His loving sacrifice of taking on our sins is our salvation. Bring your brokenness to the Lord Jesus. Readings for Today

We know the answer to the question. But do we really answer the question by how we live. There is the rub. Peter gets the right answer, but does not live the answer. We can be like that too. We wish the poor well, but we do nothing to help them.

Readings for Today