Today at Quantico

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Friar Musings

As I have written about before, one of the ministries we are privileged to serve is supporting interments at Quantico National Cemetery. We are the Catholic parish located about 1 mile from Quantico National and are called upon quite often. This week alone I served at four gravesides, accompanying families whose loved one served their country and are now laid to rest – perhaps the service member or the spouse who waited for their return. It is always an honor to serve these families. Continue reading →

What is asked of us

Posted on June 23, 2023 by Friar Musings

This coming weekend is the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In previous posts we have been exploring the human reaction of fear in the context of the divine mission. Jesus has given them assurances for their time in the mission, reason to not be afraid. Now He provides eternal assurances: 32 Everyone who acknowledges me before others I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.33 But whoever denies me before others, I will deny before my heavenly Father.” Continue reading →

Whose we are

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Friar Musings

Jesus-wept Today is the Memorial of Saints John Fisher and Thomas More, the latter of the two who is more popularly known as he was the central character of the movie, “A Man for All Seasons.” The film depicts the final years of Sir Thomas More, the 16th-century Lord Chancellor of England who refused both to sign a letter asking Pope Clement VII to annul Henry VIII of England’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon and to take an Oath of Supremacy declaring Henry VIII Supreme Head of the Church of England. But St. John Fisher was in the same situation as Thomas More. Continue reading →

Yet Trust in God

Posted on June 22, 2023 by Friar Musings

This coming weekend is the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In previous posts we have been exploring Jesus’ admonitions to not be afraid during the course of the evangelizing mission. In this post, Jesus begins to offer reasons and assurances to support the admonitions: 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father’s knowledge. Continue reading →

Force multiplier

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Friar Musings

Our parish is located next to Marine Corp Base Quantico, headquarters of the US Marine Corp. And as you’d expect we have lots of military families and members that make up the parish. They are quite familiar with the term “force multiplier.” In military terminology, the expression refers to any factor or capability that enhances the effectiveness and overall combat power of a military force beyond its basic capabilities. It denotes a tool, strategy, or resource that amplifies the impact of a military force, enabling it to achieve greater results or exert more influence on the battlefield. Examples can include advanced technology, air superiority, logistics, specialized units, e.g. recon, and more.

“The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness.” (2 Cor 9:10)

The grace of God: the divine force multiplier.

Martyrdom’s Possibility

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Friar Musings

This coming weekend is the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In the previous post we discussed that there will be all manner of people who will not receive the evangelizing message, but may actively threatened your safety. Jesus tells them not to be afraid (v.26) and now He repeats this message: 28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. Continue reading →

The Grace of Generosity:

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Friar Musings

In today’s reading from the Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians, we have a wonderful message about the transformative power of generosity. Paul shares the example of the Macedonian churches, who, despite their own hardships, overflowed with abundant generosity in support of the Church in Jerusalem. The reading is an opportunity for us to reflect on our perception of generosity and its place in our life of faith. Continue reading →

Fear and Proclamation

Posted on June 20, 2023 by Friar Musings

This coming weekend is the 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Our gospel reading opens with the ominous, “Therefore do not be afraid of them.” Of course that just raises the question about the identity of “them.” There are verses that are not included in the Sunday gospels, notably Matthew 10:9-25, in which the actions of “them” are described. A summary might include:

those who do not receive the Twelve and their message of redemption (v.14)
the ones who “hand you over to courts and scourge you in their synagogues” (v.17)
governors and kinds (v.18)
family members who turn against you (v.21)

“Don’t be afraid” prepares for the sayings about whom the disciples should fear in vv. 28 and 31, a part of our Sunday gospel in which the admonition to not be afraid is repeated. Continue reading →

2nd Corinthians

Posted on June 19, 2023 by Friar Musings

Last evening I was rummaging around a folder labeled “Potential Musings.” It is a place were draft posts are worked on and often languish unfinished for one reason or another. Often I have to open the file to remember the contents as the working title does not ring a bell, e.g., “no single issue saints” or “303 v. Elenis.” But I did come across a file: 2 Corinthians. I was pretty sure I knew what was inside – and given that most of last week and all of this week, the first reading for daily Mass is taken from the Second Letter to the Corinthians – maybe it was time to dust that one off and see if was something to post. It is more of a scripture-study kind of post and it is long, but I think it is interesting. Here’s the teaser: how are Paul’s letters to the Corinthians like a Bob Newhart sketch? Continue reading →

Context for this week