St. John's Day 2016

Third day of the Octave of Christmas the Feast of st. John the Evangelist.

Jesus king of Apostles, come let us adore him who is Christ the King. Amen.

The color of the day is white or gold.

Happy nameday to anyone who was given the name of John.

The Foundation of our Faith is an Eyewitness Account

"What we have seen and heard
we proclaim now to you so that you too may have fellowship with us."  (1 John 1: 3 NABRE)

John the Evangelist whose feast is today saw Jesus, heard Him speak and touched Him several times.  He leaves us a compelling eyewitness account of the solid basis of our faith.  We can better appreciate what St Paul says to the Ephesians:

"[Our Household is] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone."  (Ephesians 2: 20)

Brothers and sisters,  won't you rejoice in the truth that our faith is sound, safe and secure?

Peace and all good, Merry Christmas. and happy feast day of st. John.

Brother Ed, OFM

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day!

God is good!

I hope each of you are having a good week! I am in Joliet, IL with the friars at St. John the Baptist!

Gospel Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

Refection questions:

How do I help the poor?

How do I reflect God's love and kindness in my personal outreach to others?

Peace and all good,

Brother Ed, OFM