Friarly

Br. Dominick Jean, OP, preaches on the Second Reading from 1st John for the 6th Sunday of Easter. What and who do you love? St. Augustine famously said that we become that which we love. The natural movement of love draws us out of ourselves and towards and into another. Do we love our own power or opinions? Do we love wealth and what wealth brings us? Or do we love God and what God loves? If we love God we shall be united with God, but if we love earthly things we will be united with earthly things and die like them. Only love rightly ordered to God and what God loves can save us. Only love.

Br. Andrew Martin del Valle, OP, preaches on the First Reading from Acts for the 6th Sunday of Easter. One of the great themes we see in Acts of the Apostles is that of conversion. And not merely the conversion of those like Cornelius in Acts, but Peter himself. We are all challenged to ongoing conversion each day of our lives. Can we accept the challenge, the risk, that comes with conforming more and more to Christ?

Br. Hoang preaches on the Second Reading for the 4th Sunday of Easter. In the Second Reading for this Sunday we hear about what it means to be in union and relationship with God. God calls us to become not merely servants but his very own children. Dare we enter into that relationship?

Br. Peter Lewitzke, OP, preaches on the First Reading for the 4th Sunday of Easter When we stand up and preach about our Faith who is it we are speaking about? Whom do we preach? Often we preach ourselves and an image of God in our own image. Peter in the Acts of the Apostles shows us the way though. Peter knows the one whom he preaches and whom all the Apostles preach and his name is and must always be Jesus.

We're called to witness to Christ in the public square; why are we so often like Peter in the upper room? Dcn. James Pierce invites us to look at Peter's journey from the Upper Room to the public square, so that we might imitate Peter's journey and invite others to share in the Risen Lord.

The Apostles were imperfect men, men who ran away and denied Jesus, and yet Jesus called them back, he chose them, and in their encounter with Christ and their acceptance of the Holy Spirit they were changed forever. And when they embraced this gift, Christ changed the world through them.

Br. Dominick Jean, OP, preaches on Philippians 2:6-11 for Palm Sunday. Through the Incarnation Christ has written himself into the story of our world, transforming our lives from a tragedy into a fairy tale but with one important difference from all other fairy tales: this one is true.

Br. Andrew Martin preaches on Isaiah 50:4-7 for Palm Sunday. Why do we preach? The world and the culture around us are, at best, apathetic to the Faith, and at worst openly hostile. It is an exhausting and wearisome enterprise. And yet we preach the Word which Is Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh. Jesus who took upon himself our own weariness, our own exhaustion and our own humiliations. Why would we not want to preach this Word?

Christ has written His image on our hearts, and He’s invited us to share His image. Dcn. James Pierce invites us to see ourselves as sharing in Christ’s mission; not being afraid to let Jesus lead us to the cross, and to trust that we are welcome to share in His resurrection.

Br. Hoang Nguyen, OP, preaches on the Jeremiah 11:18-20 for the 5th Sunday of Lent. Br. Hoang reminds us all that God no longer writes on stone tablets but upon our hearts and that we are called to embrace the law that God writes there by forming our consciences in accordance with that new and far more grace-filled covenant.

Br. Peter Lewitzke, OP, preaches on Ephesians 2:4-10 for the 4th Sunday of Lent. Whil we often say that we are saved through Christ it is so easy for us to slip into ways of thinking where we beleive that we can somehow give life to ourselves. But always we must remember: we were truly dead without Christ and we live only through Him. We are His handiwork.

Br. Gregory Dunn, O.P. preaches on 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23 for the Fourth Sunday of Lent. During the season of Lent, we are reminded of God's dwelling with us, foreshadowed by His presence in the temple of ancient Israel.

Br. Jordan DeGuire, OP, preaches on 1 Cor 1:22-25 for the 3rd Sunday of Lent. The Cross that is often placed before us in our churches and our homes is a sanitized cross, a cleaned up cross. It is easy for us to forget how terrible a scandal and a death it was for Jesus Christ to die on the Cross. And yet the Cross is not darkness but light and in the light of the Cross we see all things in its light. Christ Crucified is the standard by which all things must be judged.

Br. Joseph Van Havermaet, OP, preaches on Romans 8 for the 2nd Sunday of Lent. Lent is a time for us to slow down and to really see ourselves, our sinfulness, and to work for change in our lives. But so very often our attempts to change falter and fail. We become lost in spiritual quicksand. And it is only in grabbing onto God's hand that we are able to pull ourselves out. Only by letting God take us by the hand and trusting in him can we make our way out into that land of freedom. After all, if God is for us who can be against us?

Br. Dominick Jean, OP, preaches on Genesis 22 for the Second Sunday of Lent. Baptism makes us sons and daughters of God. The experience of Abraham and Isaac reminds us that being a son or daughter demands that we lay down our own desires and plans as we follow Christ to the heart of the Father.

Br. Andrew Martin del Valle, OP, preaches on the First reading from Gn 9:8-15 for the 1st Sunday of Lent. Br. Andrew Martin reminds us that Lent is not simply or even primarily about reminding us about how bad we are. It's about rediscovering with Jesus Christ in the desert the beauty that God has bestowed upon us.

Do we hear the call to 'Repent' as more of a threat, or as more of an invitation? Dcn. James Pierce Cavanaugh invites us to hear the story of Noah and the Flood in a new way, that we might be drawn more fully into God's loving mercy.

The patron and founder of the Dominican Order, St. Dominic, offers us some key insights into how we can fully embrace this Lenten Season. Homily for Ash Wednesday

Is our Faith big enough? Do we trust and believe in God enough? But it's not about us, it's about God and how he bridges the gap. Daily homily for February 16, 2021

Sin never has the final word in our lives, not even in the life of Cain. Always God has the final word and it is a Word of Love and Protection.. Daily homily for February 15, 2021.

Adam and Eve's hiding from God serves as an icon of humanity's withdrawing from the relationship enjoyed with God and each other in the Garden. In the Gospel, Jesus reaches out to a person in need of healing, and re-introduces him to community. Fr. Ed Ruane draws these two readings together, and encourages us not to hide when we encounter God's overwhelming powerful goodness

Today in the Dominican Order we celebrate the Anniversary of all Deceased Parents of the Order. Deacon James Pierce preaches on the nature of God's own Fatherhood and how parents have been called to participate in that creative labor.

Br. Peter Lewitzke, OP, preaches on 1 Cor 9:16-19, 22-23 for the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time. Paul gave up his own life, taking up the will of God as his own, and became all things to all people, saving many. We too are called to give our lives away. Are we able and willing to do so?

Br. Greg preaches on Job 7:1-4, 6-7 for the Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The world is full of suffering. When is crying out to God ungrateful, and when is it a genuine prayer?

Homily for Feb 4, 2021. Today is the Dominican Feast of St. Catherine de Ricci.

A preaching for the 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time on 1 Cor 7:32-35. There are many goods in life, but there is one ultimate Good to which we are called and it is the Person of Jesus Christ and the divine life he calls us to enter into. All our goods must be ordered in light of Christ and his saving work among us. Do we order our goods with this in mind or do we grasp at these other, lesser goods at the expense of God?

Preaching on the 1st reading for the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Dt 18:15-20. The Israelites are confronted by the presence and voice of God and it sends them fleeing away because of the fierce and divine fire that God's Presence is. But that Divine Fire is what we are meant for, can we step towards it and allow God to transform us through the fire of His Love?

The soil which Jesus speaks about in the Gospel today can tell us a lot about the spiritual life and how we cultivate the kind of life which bears much fruit. For the daily readings, see the USCCB.

In the Gospel today Christ gives us a striking image: that we are called not merely to be brothers and sisters of Christ, amazing thought that is, but also to be mothers to Christ, giving birth to Christ in the world and in the hearts of all men and women. How can we become "mothers of Christ"? Fr. Vincent Davila, OP, gives us a few hints. For the daily readings, see the USCCB. Today is the Memorial of Sts. Timothy and Titus, bishops.

When God speaks, are we ready to listen? No matter where we are in life, or our past experience, God is always ready to welcome us with open arms. Dcn. James Pierce invites us to consider our own openness to God, and examine places in our lives where we may not be so open. “Speak, for your servant is listening.”

Christmas is a time to celebrate the coming of Christ, the Prince of Peace. But do we act as though we need a Prince of Peace? Dcn. James Pierce calls for reflection on the burdens experienced even before the pandemic, and encourages the wait for the Light of Christ. "...peace to those on whom His favor rests."

God promises to David, king of Israel, a throne firm forever. Yet, it seems that with the failure of the Israelite kingly line, that God broke this promise. Dcn. James Pierce calls us to re-examine God's promise of a throne firm forever. He encourages us to see that God keeps this promise, and makes the promise anew, even now. "...your throne shall stand firm forever."

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. For the daily readings, see the USCCB.

Today is the Memorial Feast of St. Francis Xavier, SJ. For the daily readings, see the USCCB.

For the daily readings, see the USCCB.

Christ's voice broke through the noise and distraction which surrounded by Simon Peter and Andrew. What about us? Do we respond with swiftness to Christ's voice? Today is the Feast of the Apostle and Martyr, St. Andrew. For the daily readings, see the USCCB.

Br. Greg Dunn, O.P., preaches on 1 Cor 1:3-9 fr the First Sunday of Advent. Br. Greg places the Word of God at the core of our Advent experience. It is in the Word of God, in the liturgy, the hymns, and the prayers of Advent that we see the Word of God made fresh in our own lives yet again. Is the Word which is Christ truly the center of our lives?

Br. Hoang Nguyen, OP preaches on Isaiah 63:16B-17, 19B; 64:2-7 for the First Sunday of Advent. Why does God allow our hearts to remain closed to his love? God is giving us time to turn back to him in preparation for when he comes again.

Br. Peter Lewitzke, O.P. preaches on 1 Corinthians 15: 20-26, 28 for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Br. Peter preaches on the importance of having Jesus be the king of our heart before we can try and bring Jesus' kingdom into the world. "in Christ shall all be brought to life, but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; then, at his coming, those who belong to Christ; then comes the end."

Br. Jordan DeGuire, O.P. preaches on Ezekiel 34:11-12,15-17 for the Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe. Each of us faces a choice. When we sin, we attempt to make ourselves kings and queens of our own lives. However, Jesus the Good Shepherd offers us a way out.

Each of us has been given a number of golden coins in our own life. The coin of our humanity, our Imago Dei. The coin of our Catholic Faith, and for us religious, the coin of our profession. How do we spend that coin given to us? Today is the Memorial of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne. For the daily readings, see the USCCB.

For the daily readings, see the USCCB.

Br. Thomas Mary Wagaman, O.P. preaches during Evening Prayer on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6 for the thirty-third Sunday in Ordinary Time. "But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness, for that day to overtake you like a thief. For all of you are children of the light and children of the day."

God gives amazing gifts to each and every person, and those gifts bear fruit. But what does it look like when a person lives the fullness of God's gifts? And what does it look like when someone is afraid to live those gifts fully? Dcn. James Pierce shows us what it looks like when one lives God's gifts, and encourages us: Don't be afraid to be too good to be true. "Well done, my good and faithful servant... come, share your master's joy."

Br. Joseph van Havermaet O.P. preaches on Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 for the Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time. The passage from Proverbs reminds us of our great need for relationships and communion. Relationships which bestow life upon us, like those of a married couple, enrich our lives and enable us to live holy lives. What are the life-giving relationships in your life? And how are you called to be such a source of life for others? Readings are from Cycle A

Today is the Memorial of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini. For the daily readings, see the USCCB.

For the daily readings see the USCCB.

We are invited during these present times to extend the hand of grace to others just as it has been handed to us. St. Martin of Tours is our example today, showing us by his example, what it means to see Christ in all people, especially the poor. Today is the Memorial Feast of St. Martin of Tours. For the daily readings, see the USCCB.

Today on the Feast of the Dedication of St. John Lateran we celebrate not simply a church, but the Church and Cathedral of Rome which serves as that visible sign of our unity. John Lateran is truly the cathedral of the entire Church.

Br. Andrew Martin Del Valle, O.P., preaches on 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 for the Thirty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time. There have been many who have gone before us in the Faith and many will come after us, but we are alive now, today. We are the ones who are left here on this earth to be witnesses to Christ. This Present Moment and these current times are meant for us. This moment has been entrusted to us. Let us be witnesses of hope and true preachers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "Indeed, we tell you this, on the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not precede those who have fallen asleep."

Br. Dominick Jean preaches on the first reading for the 32nd Sunday of Ordinary Time. What does it mean to be wise? Is it the possession of facts about the world? Only Jesus can show us.