Author Archives: Friar Musings

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About Friar Musings

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

In times of tribulation

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As children on a family road trip, who among us has not lamented from the back seat, “Are we there yet? How much longer?” It can be the plaintive cry in the weeks and days before Christmas: “How much longer?” Plaintive in the sense of impatience and joyful anticipation.

How much longer? It is easy to understand how it would be the question for people “In those days after that tribulation [when] 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.”  It is not a stretch to imagine how in the midst of such terrible days, even the faithful will lament, “How much longer?” – a question of fear, dread and anxiety. Continue reading →

Francis and the Leper: the Order changes

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As noted two weeks ago the accounts of Francis and the leper were beginning to “evolve” from the first story that appeared in Thomas of Celano’s first book. Some 20 years later, there are additions being made to the story that seem to be less about Francis per se, and more about Francis’ legacy that should be central to the identity of the Order. Thomas of Celano’s second book was written at the behest of the then Minister General, Crescentius. This leader inherited the results of the leadership of the two previous ministers: Elias of Cortona and Haymo of Haversham. This week we will consider Haymo,  the Minister General of the Franciscan Order who succeeded Elias. He was elected with a “mandate” to fix what Elias was thought to have “broken.” Continue reading →

What should be evident

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In St. Paul’s letter to the Romans he quickly addresses gentile people’s culpability for knowing – or at least having an strong inclination of – the one true God given they did not have the benefit of the covenant relationship with Him. Paul writes: “For what can be known about God is evident to them, because God made it evident to them. Ever since the creation of the world, his invisible attributes of eternal power and divinity have been able to be understood and perceived in what he has made. As a result, they have no excuse; for although they knew God they did not accord him glory as God or give him thanks. Instead, they became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless minds were darkened. While claiming to be wise, they became fools.” (Romans 1:19-22) Continue reading →

Holy and All-Present

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Today is the Memorial of St. Martin of Tours perhaps best described as a reluctant solider, reluctant bishop, but ever a servant of the people of God. The first reading for the Memorial is taken from the Book of Wisdom 7:22 and following. It is not often easy to post about a reading taken from Wisdom. So often the text does not easily stand alone, but still, it is an amazing part of Scripture that should be read and reflected upon more often. But today’s has an interesting feature.

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Veteran’s Day Quiz

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Today is Veterans Day as well as the 100th anniversary of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the solemn landmark at Arlington National Cemetery honoring military personnel killed in action who have never been identified. Since 1999, a vacant crypt on the grounds has honored missing service members from the Vietnam War. The quiz below, from the Ashbrook Center at Ashland University in Ohio, provides an opportunity for you to test your knowledge of Veterans Day and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Continue reading →

Veterans Day 2018

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“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” – John F. Kennedy

A few years ago I received an email from one of my brother friars. I thought would post its content again. The email raised the question – in the light of all the commercial sales and advertisements: Is Veterans Day really a holiday or is it a holy day? Continue reading →

Keeping Watch

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This coming Sunday is the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time in lectionary cycle B. Our Gospel reading is from Mark 13:24-37, the end verses of the larger “Olivet Discourse” in Mark’s gospel. Today let us consider:

 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!’”

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Boundaries

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Today is the feast day of St. Pope Leo the Great. The gospel reading is the familiar Lukan account of the 10 lepers who encounter Jesus on the way and are healed – yet only one returns to give thanks to God. There is a lot that can be said of the reading, but let me mention but one: boundaries. “….As he continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.” (Luke 11:17) In the one simple verse, we are reminded of the divided tribes of Israel. Continue reading →

The Certain Sign

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This coming Sunday is the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time in lectionary cycle B. Our Gospel reading is from Mark 13:24-37, the end verses of the larger “Olivet Discourse” in Mark’s gospel. Today we consider: “Learn a lesson from the fig tree. When its branch becomes tender and sprouts leaves, you know that summer is near.  In the same way, when you see these things happening, know that he is near, at the gates.  Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Mark 13:28-31) Continue reading →