Author Archives: Friar Musings

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About Friar Musings

Franciscan friar and Catholic priest at St. Francis of Assisi in Triangle, VA

Trials Inside and Out

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This coming Sunday is the Solemnity of Christ the King. The gospel reading for this year is the scene of Jesus on trial before Pontius Pilate during which the nature of Jesus’ kingship and kingdom is revealed. Throughout the trial before Pilate, there are numerous scenes in two different locations: outside and inside the praetorium (“Pilate’s headquarters”). Outside the praetorium Pilate speaks to the “Jews,” because they won’t enter the praetorium, “so as to avoid ritual defilement and to be able to eat the Passover” (18:28b). What does this indicate about Jesus who is inside the praetorium? Continue reading →

Kings on Trial

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This coming Sunday is the Solemnity of Christ the King. The gospel reading for this year is the scene of Jesus on trial before Pontius Pilate during which the nature of Jesus’ kingship and kingdom is revealed. It is worth noting that as a rule, kings usually do not stand trial. They rule until their deaths. They are in charge of everything that happens in their kingdom. There are times when a king may die an early death — when another king with a more powerful army conquers the king or when the king’s subjects rebel. When such things happen, the defeated king is seldom given a trial. He was just killed. Continue reading →

The Kingdom

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This coming Sunday is The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. The gospel reading for this year is the scene of Jesus on trial before Pontius Pilate during which the nature of Jesus’ kingship and kingdom is revealed. It is important to understand that as we consider the nature of  Jesus as King of the Universe, we must also consider the “Kingdom of God” and Jesus’ role in establishing it. The idea of the “Kingdom of God” or “Kingdom of Heaven” or “Reign of God” – all have a foundation in history. Continue reading →

Lost along the way

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Today’s first reading is from the always mysterious, often misunderstood and frequently misinterpreted Book of Revelation. Perhaps the centerpiece of the book is the letter to the seven churches of Asia Minor from which we hear the letter to the community as Ephesus.

The letter opens by praising this community for its endurance and its resistance to false teachers who claim to be apostles – most likely traveling missionaries carrying an apocryphal message. Though not in danger from false teachers, the Ephesian community has to be recalled to its former enthusiasm. The Sacred Writers accomplishes this by first reminding the listener of the source of the message: “The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks in the midst of the seven gold lampstands.” Continue reading →

Kings and Kingdoms

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The coming Sunday is the final Sunday in the liturgical year, the 34th such Sunday of Ordinary Time, celebrated as the Solemnity of Christ the King Sunday. While the title of Christ as “King” is scriptural and has always been in the tradition, the solemnity itself was established in the aftermath of the “Great War” that raged in Europe 1914-1918. Established  by Pope Pius XI in 1925, the point of the celebration was that despite all the machinations of man, Christ was the only true king; a king timeless and universal. As such, it is placed on the final Sunday of each liturgical year, a symbol of the kingdom that will come at the end of time. Continue reading →

In the time we are given

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“Jesus said to his disciples: “In those days after that tribulation the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.” (Mark 13:24-25)

Maybe it is as simple as the ever shortened days we live in. Days of diminished light intensity and warmth; days of growing shadows.  The same news seems a little worse. Maybe it is that the news is in fact becoming worse.  That there is a persistent of wintry shadows whose tendrils reach into the recesses of life and imagination.  Shadows that make reading the signs of the times more difficult; that make us wonder if there is a reason for Hope.  Wonder if these are the end of days. Continue reading →

Keeping Watch

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This coming Sunday is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the previous post we considered Jesus’ meaning of the parable of the fig tree and what it portends about the “things to come.”

32 “But of that day or hour, no one knows, neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man traveling abroad. He leaves home and places his servants in charge, each with his work, and orders the gatekeeper to be on the watch. 35 Watch, therefore; you do not know when the lord of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning. 36 May he not come suddenly and find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to all: ‘Watch!’” Continue reading →

The Certain Sign

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This coming Sunday is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the previous post we began to explore the meaning of the apocalyptic signs and symbols in this Olivet Discourse. Now, Jesus resumes his instruction and preparation of the disciples.

28 “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates. 30 Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Continue reading →