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Frank Friar Fridays

Frank Friar Fridays

By Fr Patrick Baikauskas OP

Weekly reflections from a Dominican friar.
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Episode 31

Frank Friar FridaysApr 23, 2021

00:00
22:03
Why does God let evil happen?

Why does God let evil happen?

Here's the answer (maybe) to a question that people have asked for centuries.

Mar 22, 202410:53
This promise is written on your heart!!

This promise is written on your heart!!

What would that mean if someone said that to you? What would you think? I'd think it was pretty important. And it is!!!

Mar 15, 202413:36
What does John 3:16 mean for you?

What does John 3:16 mean for you?

This is maybe the best-known verse of the Bible - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Mar 08, 202408:09
How do we separate our needs from our wants?

How do we separate our needs from our wants?

Do we even think about those sorts of decisions? Or do we feel that we are battered by circumstances and things out of our control? Well, there is another way.

Mar 01, 202408:41
What does it mean to be transfigured?

What does it mean to be transfigured?

Well, it means we are changed, but changed in a very special way. We don't often want to change, because it can make us uncomfortable or maybe it even hurts a little, but if we trust in God, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, then that change can be something life-changing - and in a good way.

Feb 23, 202412:38
A little trivia contest. What were Jesus' first words to his disciples?

A little trivia contest. What were Jesus' first words to his disciples?

And if they are the first words, they must be important....right? It's "Repent and believe in the Gospel." And that is what we hear again on this First Sunday of Lent.

Feb 16, 202410:22
The life of Saint Francis continues to witness for us a way to live our life

The life of Saint Francis continues to witness for us a way to live our life

Even 800 years after his death, Francis of Assisi has something to say to us.

Feb 09, 202410:46
I hate to ask this question - do you find your faith boring?

I hate to ask this question - do you find your faith boring?

I hate to ask because I think I know the answer - but our faith certainly isn't meant to bore us - hopefully, it will excite us AND the people in our lives.

Feb 02, 202410:23
Who are the authority figures in our lives?

Who are the authority figures in our lives?

If we accept an authority figure, does that mean we have to change? What if we don't want to change? What if we think we are doing pretty well just as we are? Maybe we need to look in the mirror and answer some tough questions about ourselves.

Jan 26, 202411:25
My trip to Sicily

My trip to Sicily

I just returned from nine nights in Sicily - Palermo, Agrigento, Siracusa, and Taormina - with brief stops along the way. It was spectacular! Hear about the people we met, places we visited, and the food we ate.

Jan 20, 202423:02
Part III of the interview with Colleen Dulle on the Vatican Synod

Part III of the interview with Colleen Dulle on the Vatican Synod

You don't want to miss this final episode. In this last of a three-part episode, I talk to Colleen Dulle about some of the things that didn't happen at the Synod - the lack of any statements about LGBTQ Catholics or what will be the response of the Church for divorced and remarried Catholics.

Jan 12, 202415:25
Part II of the interview with Colleen Dulle on the Synod on Synodality

Part II of the interview with Colleen Dulle on the Synod on Synodality

In this second part of the interview with Colleen Dulle, Vatican journalist with America magazine, we hear about some of the major themes to emerge from the synod - the role of women in the Church, and the importance of changes to lay and priestly formation, and what to expect this year as the process continues.

Jan 05, 202410:60
What is going on with this Synod on Synodailty?

What is going on with this Synod on Synodailty?

Pope Francis began a process three years ago that has engaged the worldwide Church. That three-year process culminated in a synod this past October at the Vatican. It will continue throughout 2024.

Colleen Dullee is a journalist for the Jesuit magazine, America. Being a St. Louis native, I was able to interview Colleen while she was visiting family over the Christmas holidays. Colleen covered the synod for America magazine in Rome. Colleen provides an insider's account of what was happening and what we can expect in the months ahead.

Don't miss this three-part interview, beginning this week and continuing for the next two weeks.

Dec 29, 202316:04
If you haven't heard this radio play previously, or if you have, you don't want to miss the Christmas radio play performed by Dominican friars.

If you haven't heard this radio play previously, or if you have, you don't want to miss the Christmas radio play performed by Dominican friars.

Back by popular demand: Dorothy Sayer's play, "The Man Born to be King"


The Dominican brothers perform a radio play written by the acclaimed British mystery writer Dorothy Sayers, author of the Lord Peter Wimsey novels.  Fourteen Dominican brothers participated in this effort.  We perform the first two scenes in her radio play, in the court of King Herod when the kings tell of their journey to find the messiah, and in the shepherd's home when the three kings visit Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.

Dec 22, 202336:33
This is Gaudete Sunday - We are called to rejoice!!

This is Gaudete Sunday - We are called to rejoice!!

What if we don't feel like rejoicing? What do we do then?

Dec 15, 202308:28
Are you ready for Christmas?

Are you ready for Christmas?

Has anyone asked you that yet? They will. There might be a lot of things on our today list, but what is the most important thing we can do on it? To prepare ourselves for the greatest gift we've ever received - Jesus Christ in our lives.

Dec 08, 202311:13
Reflections on the readings for the First Sunday of Advent

Reflections on the readings for the First Sunday of Advent

Advent is a season for waiting and expectations. How does our loving God help us?

Dec 01, 202311:33
Some thoughts about dads and Thanksgiving

Some thoughts about dads and Thanksgiving

I have been reading and listening to some things the past week that got me thinking about my dad and Thanksgiving.

Nov 24, 202313:53
How do we use our talents?

How do we use our talents?

How do we use our talents?Fr Patrick Baikauskas OPDescription

God has given us all sorts of gifts. Valuable gifts. Sometimes we may think we don't have much in the way of talent, but God thinks otherwise, and he wants us to be generous in how we share them.

Nov 17, 202308:11
If God were to call you home today, would you be ready?

If God were to call you home today, would you be ready?

This is a tough question, but the readings for this coming Sunday, give us a difficult lesson. We might want to avoid the issue, but we can't.

Nov 10, 202311:02
Loving like a mother - a father - can we do that?

Loving like a mother - a father - can we do that?

For many of us, but sadly not all, our mothers and fathers are the very first - and maybe the most powerful example we receive of unconditional love. Can we imitate that?

Nov 03, 202312:30
Why is it so difficult to love as we ought?

Why is it so difficult to love as we ought?

God expects us to love God with everything we've got - AND - to love others. Simple, but it is difficult - because it means we are to love even the people who hate us and hurt us.

Oct 30, 202313:37
Why do we worry about the end times?

Why do we worry about the end times?

I am delighted to introduce my old friend and fraternity brother, Pastor Ken Behr to our FFF audience. Ken is a retired Protestant pastor and has his own podcast - Prophecy Countdown. On that podcast, the end times come up frequently, and especially so when we have harbingers of war in the Holy Land. Listen to our engaging conversation on that topic and others.

Oct 20, 202329:39
What will heaven be like?

What will heaven be like?

The readings for this Sunday compare heaven to the experience of sharing in a great banquet. But there is a question - an invitation - before we get into the feast. How do we respond?

Oct 13, 202308:51
Change can be difficult - but it's not impossible

Change can be difficult - but it's not impossible

There are lots of ways that are culture influences us - good and bad - maybe more bad - and so we are all called to conversion - to change - and that can hurt - but it is what will bring us our greatest joy and peace.

Oct 06, 202310:02
How good are we at keeping commitments?

How good are we at keeping commitments?

God has made a lot of promises to us. And he keeps them. It's important for us to do the same with the people who know us - our families, friends, neighbors, co-workers - even the stranger. Being truthful and keeping promises is something we can rightfully expect - and then people will expect the same from us.

Sep 29, 202310:33
Are you generous or stingy?

Are you generous or stingy?

The parable this week is about the generous landowner who pays the workers who worked only an hour the same as those who worked all day. He was generous in ways that can be difficult for us to understand, but it is supposed to be a parable that gets us thinking - how am I called to act?

Sep 21, 202311:08
Why is it so hard to forgive another?

Why is it so hard to forgive another?

In this Sunday's reading, we hear Jesus being asked by Peter, "How many times do I have to forgive, as many as seven?" Well, actually we're called to do much more, but why is it so difficult for us?

Sep 18, 202310:43
Do you build up - or tear down?

Do you build up - or tear down?

How do we confront the people we love - and the people we live with? Jesus shows us the way.

Sep 08, 202308:56
I talk to Br. Alonso Salas, OP about his work on the streets of Memphis this summer

I talk to Br. Alonso Salas, OP about his work on the streets of Memphis this summer

Listen to this interview with Br. Alonso Salas, OP, a second year student brother and his inspiring story of meeting and accompanying those living on the margins on the streets of Memphis.

Sep 01, 202324:46
What's it like to be a chaplain in a big city hospital trauma center

What's it like to be a chaplain in a big city hospital trauma center

This week we interview Br. Joseph Hilliker OP who we interviewed last year detailing his summer experience in Kenya. This summer he served as a chaplain in a Houston ER. Hear his inspiring story.

Aug 25, 202327:15
Highlights of our pilgrimage to Poland and Prague

Highlights of our pilgrimage to Poland and Prague

After four attempts over three years - we finally made it - thanks be to God. Hear some highlights of our pilgrimage.

Aug 18, 202326:07
God is her co-counsel

God is her co-counsel

Missy Sims was recently featured in a New York Times article that details her legal suit against big oil companies on behalf of several cities in Puerto Rico. She blames them for climate change and that their indifference has been the cause of the devastating storms that have plagued that island. What comes through very clearly is that she her Catholic faith has guided her in this David vs. Goliath undertaking.

Aug 11, 202322:43
The Transfiguration and Oppenheimer

The Transfiguration and Oppenheimer

Transfiguration is about an openness to being changed. I think there is some interesting theological connections to the film Oppenheimer.

Aug 04, 202313:18
What is the most precious thing you own?

What is the most precious thing you own?

This is a question we may need to ask ourselves everyday - but let's really reflect on this question this week. every day

Jul 28, 202309:52
Costa Rica - Pura Vida

Costa Rica - Pura Vida

Having just returned from a vacation in Costa Rica, I thought I would offer some of my reflections on this extraordinary place. Pura Vida is the official slogan of Costa Rica, and people say it as often as people say Ciao! in Italy. Literally it. means "pure life" but it means more in the way the Ticos use it. It mean's "Everything is great, how about you?" or "Isn't this day beautiful?" or "Gosh, it is so nice to meet you. I failed to mention that on our first night in Costa Rica we got to visit Boiler Catholic Beatriz Cisneros - what a special occasion that was!!

Jul 21, 202319:15
Let's unburden ourselves

Let's unburden ourselves

We can let ourselves get weighed down. That's a choice. There's another one too.

Jul 07, 202308:23
What's the key to our happiness?

What's the key to our happiness?

Does the answer surprise you?

Jun 30, 202312:27
We are all worth a lot - a lot - in the eyes of God - and me

We are all worth a lot - a lot - in the eyes of God - and me

and so what are we called to do about it?

Jun 23, 202309:59
Let our hearts be on fire!!!

Let our hearts be on fire!!!

Yes, we are supposed to love one another as Jesus loves us - but let's kick it up a bit.

Jun 16, 202309:44
We extend a special welcome

We extend a special welcome

This is a welcome statement a made a couple of times at St. Tom's, but I believe we lived it out every day. Feel free to share it - and live it.

Jun 09, 202304:36
What does it mean for YOU when we celebrate the Holy Trinity?

What does it mean for YOU when we celebrate the Holy Trinity?

We - meaning priests - tend to make it complicated. It isn't. Celebrating the Trinity means celebrating hospitality.

Jun 02, 202317:33
What do you with all the gifts you have received?

What do you with all the gifts you have received?

God has given us a lot - maybe we don't notice. Do we keep them to ourselves - or share them? Easy question.

May 26, 202310:41
Go out and share the good news!!

Go out and share the good news!!

Jesus asks all of us - commissions all of us - to share what he has given each of us.

May 19, 202309:35
Jesus commands us to pray - why does he have to command us?

Jesus commands us to pray - why does he have to command us?

And a special Mother's Day column from Erma Bombeck (my absolute favorite!)

May 12, 202311:13
What great things will you do today?

What great things will you do today?

We are all called to do amazing things, and with the help of God, we can do them. Are you ready?

May 05, 202309:45
Are YOU a good shepherd?

Are YOU a good shepherd?

On Sunday we hear the familiar story of the good shepherd - a beautiful story that images Christ as our good shepherd. But there's more to the story. The story asks for something from each of us.

Apr 28, 202312:39
Stay with us, Lord. Stay with us.

Stay with us, Lord. Stay with us.

Where are you on your journey of faith?

Apr 21, 202309:03
Where do we find Jesus in our lives?

Where do we find Jesus in our lives?

This week we hear the story of the doubting Thomas. Do we let Jesus into our lives - or do we try to keep him out or contained to Sunday?

Apr 14, 202308:60
What does Easter joy mean for you - for each of us?

What does Easter joy mean for you - for each of us?

Yes, two episodes in one weekend - but it's Easter and I can't let that pass without a special reflection for this Easter Sunday.

Apr 08, 202309:15