Author Archives: Friar Musings

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About Friar Musings

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

Baseball and climate change

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A team from Dartmouth University, in conjunction with Major League Baseball (MLB) has reported that the increase in average temperatures has led to an increase in home runs per year (50) since 2010  and 1% increase in the likelihood of home runs for every degree increase in temperature. Global warming is juicing the baseball. The increase in temperature decreases air density which in turn reduces aerodynamic drag on the baseball, allowing the ball to travel farther. Last year’s catch on the warning track is now more likely to clear the wall. This bit of scientific sports trivia was provided in this Friday’s bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.

The Appearance of Jesus

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It is when the women respond to the angel’s command to go quickly and tell (v. 7) — and they leave quickly, running to tell the disciples (v. 8) — that the risen Jesus appears to them. Part of Matthew’s purpose in this account is to show the reality of the physical resurrection as the women grab his feet; and the proper response of worshiping the risen Lord (v. 9).  The women are already en route on their mission when they are joined by the risen Christ, a paradigm of Matthew’s understanding of the reassuring presence of the risen Christ in the missionary activity of the church (cf. 1:23; 10:40; 13:37; 14:22-33; 16:18; 17:17; 18:5, 20; 28:20). Continue reading →

Gallicantu

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There have been many a Good Friday in the course of my life. I have heard the Passion narrative. I led the Passion narrative during Good Friday liturgies. Over the many years of Bible study I have covered the Passion narrative more than a few times. And now thru the gift of my friends Jerry and Maureen, I experienced Good Friday in a way not to ever be forgotten. Continue reading →

Breaking the status quo

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In both the crucifixion and resurrection, Matthew has a greater eschatological emphasis: the earthquakes, the splitting of rocks, the opening of tombs. These signs are meant to point to our redemption and salvation. Boring (504-5) writes:

The resurrection is an eschatological event, the ultimately decisive event for human history, not merely something spectacular that happened to Jesus. Thus resurrection faith is not merely believing that a dead body came back to life, or that the tomb was empty on Easter morning. Those who believed that Jesus was John the Baptist risen from the dead did not have resurrection faith (14:1; 16:14). The soldiers and chief priests who knew the fact that Jesus had “come back to life” did not have Christian faith in the resurrection (28:11-15).

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What is the month that follows January? Feburary, right? Actually, February, but to my ear I never hear the “r” pronounced. Same with the day that follows Tuesday. Wenesday, right? (At this point the spell checker is not happy with me). I never hear the “d.” Such things even impact the modern political landscape Continue reading →

Gerrymander

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The Merriam-Webster “Word of the Day” is “gerrymander.” To gerrymander is to divide a state, school district, etc. into political units or election districts that give one group or political party an unfair advantage. We often hear about litigation in state and federal courts when one party asserts that the most recent redistricting efforts are unfair and a blatant case of gerrymandering. There are current cases concerning North Caroline, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Maryland and more. Do you know the origin of the word “gerrymander?” Continue reading →

Sent into the naked city

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There is a lot going on in the readings of Holy Week. Today is “Spy Wednesday” with Judas busy about the his treachery and betrayal. As we move farther into the week, the story line seems to narrow from Jesus in the public square of Jerusalem to his gathering with his disciples for a last supper, a Passover meal.  And the story continues it narrows, leaving accounts of individuals all moving into isolation. Peter falls into the slumber of a long night while Jesus prays. Jesus is arrested and Peter waits, far removed, in a courtyard. When asked if he is with Jesus, he withdraws through his denial, and then he is alone. The sum of all these individual stories leaves Jesus alone. It is a brand of social distancing to another end, but social distancing nonetheless. Jesus is the contagion people wish to avoid. And so they separate themselves from being in contact with Him and, in the end, each other. The community of disciples is no longer together. Continue reading →

The Other Procession

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Sunday as part of our Palm Sunday celebration we remembered and proclaimed Jesus’ entry into the city of Jerusalem, from the East. He came riding upon a donkey and was greeted by ordinary people of the city who shouted “Hosanna” – “save us” to the wandering prophet from Galilee, the one of whom was whispered that he might be the promised anointed one. Continue reading →