
Frank Friar Fridays
By Fr Patrick Baikauskas OP


A gospel reflection for Independence Day
The gospel reading that recounts Matthew's call to follow Jesus is a call for us as we remember the gifts we have received as citizens of the United States.

We are all called to a constant conversion. What does that look like??
Peter and Paul show us the way.

How does what we experience at Mass change us?
Hopefully, we recognize that our consuming the body and blood of Christ can make us like him.

This weekend we remember our fathers, and the connection to Our Father's love
We thank God for the earthly fathers who, in their imperfect but beautiful love, gave us the first language to understand our Heavenly Father, who looks upon each of us today and says, “You are the most important person in the world to me.”

What is it that we celebrate on the Feast of Pentecost?
It is about the receiving of a great gift.

Do we recognize that Jesus is always with us?
And if we recognize that, what does it mean for us? How are we changed?

How do we remember those who have gone before us in the faith?
We have likely all experienced the death of someone close to us. How do we remember them?

I give you a new commandment, love one another
That's what we hear this weekend, but what does it mean for us specifically?

On Good Shepherd Sunday we celebrate a new shepherd
And he is a Southsider!!! AND a White Sox fan. We also give thanks for our mother!

Peter, do you love me?
Jesus asked that of Peter, and he asks it of us - and expects us to do something with that awareness.

Is Jesus here yet?
That's what we hear the apostle, Thomas, ask, but we might ask ourselves.

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?
Here's a great response next time someone asks that question.

Why do bad things happen to good people?
The readings on Palm Sunday give us the reason.

Another broadcast from Rome: What is a Missionary of Mercy?
I interview one of my fellow missionaries, Fr. John Marie Devaney OP of the Eastern Province. John is also a fellow podcaster and has his own show on Sirius XM. You'll have to listen to the podcast to get the details.

A broadcast from Rome
This is recorded at the Basilica of San Clemente in Rome where I am attending the biannual meeting of the Missionaries of Mercy. In this broadcast I offer my reflections on my experiences and the hope that our Church and the world can see people of faith as builders of the kingdom of God in a troubled world.

How are we the face of Christ to the people in our lives?
It's a big responsibility, but something each of us is called to?

God will lead us where we need to go....
....if we let God.

How will we find our happiness?
It comes down to choices, and the choices are always are to make.

Special edition for Ash Wednesday
Fasting during Lent needs to be more than giving up - it is taking up - taking up the practices that can bring us closer to God.

We are each called to see the beam in our own eye first...
....and then to see, speak and act as if we are all disciples of Jesus Christ.

Love those who hate you, don't judge, don't resent, etc. etc. etc.
Are these teachings of Jesus realistic? Well, you tell me!!

How our vice-president gets Thomas Aquinas wrong
I think it is great when we draw on the wisdom of Thomas Aquinas in our public debate, but we need to get it right.

Is Jesus calling you to be a fisher of men and women?
You betcha!!!

Who are the wisdom figures in our lives? Who is always there to extend a helping hand?
The answers sometimes surprise, especially among the young.

What did Jesus say in his inaugural address?
Our faith calls us to something more. To call ourselves Christians means we are to follow the example of Jesus Christ - to serve others - to seek to help the stranger and the forgotten - the sick and the lonely.

Broadcast from Italy on the wedding at Cana
Hope you enjoy it.

What does our love look like? A podcast from Italy
What does our love look like? I am broadcasting from Italy.

Filling in some of the gaps in my life's story
The death of my friend, mentor, and hero, Bishop William Higi, has inspired me to talk about the challenges I faced in seeking ordination and the role Bishop Higi played in my calling to serve our Church.

What has the message of this Christmas been for us? What has been our experience with the Lord this year? Have we gone home by a different route?
What has the message of this Christmas been for us? What has been our experience with the Lord this year? Have we gone home by a different route?

My reading recommendations for 2024
Here's what I read this year that I would recommend to you:
The Betrothed by Alessandro Manzoni
The Terror by Dan Simmons
The Orenda by Joseph Boyden
The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
The One by John Marrs
The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese
The Confessions of Frannie Langton by Sara Collins
Landscape with Traveler: The Pillow Book of Francis Reeves

Who are the prophets in your life?
And when and how are you called to be a prophet to others?

Gaudete Sunday - Rejoice - But what if we don’t feel like rejoicing?
Sometimes the demands of the season and just life can get in the way of feeling joy-filled. Then what?

How are you preparing yourself this Advent season?
There are specific things we can do. Here are some suggestions.

Wow, it doesn't get any better than this?
This reflection on the 1st Sunday of Advent tries to help us focus on what is truly important in our lives - and to prepare ourselves for the greatest gift we will ever receive.

Make Christ Great Again - MCGA
Maybe I should say Keep Christ Great!!

As Christians, the current times call us to be brave in living out our faith...
... and it is not always easy, but if we trust in God, we can do it.

Do you trust God?
I suspect our first answer is—of course! But then, when we stop and think about it, we need to ask ourselves whether we trust God in all things and in all ways.

What is the great commandmment of Jesus?
We are each called to be saints - and we are supposed to begin our task - NOW. No waiting around. Because we need saints if we are going to move forward in our troubled world.

How can we open our eyes to the needs of others?
Christ cures a blind man from physical blindness, but we may be blind in other ways.

How are you called to serve?
It seems that often what we are seeking seems to be all about ourselves. We are called to something more.

Why do we make the choices that we do?
What is our motivation? We make choices daily - some big and some not so big, but even the little ones can add up to big consequences. We need to reflect on what truly brings us joy in our lives.

All are welcome, all are welcome
all are welcome, in this space.

Whatever happened to sin?
Yes! So you can skip this episode if you don't have a problem with sinning!!

Are we ready to humble ourselves – to be the servant God calls each of us to be?
I was in Greece last week, but I posted an interview that was done of me on a local podcast. If you would like to hear that it is in my podcast file.

Faith without works is dead
That's what we hear in the Bible, so how does that look in our daily lives?

What do we do with our gift of faith?
Yes! That's right. We are supposed to do something with it.

There's a lot of decisions to make in our lives.
Some are pretty easy - whether to have gelato today or not - but many are challenging. How do we choose - who do we rely on?

What will satisfy our longings?
I bet you know what I am going to say. But how often do we think that all the things we buy, or can acquire are the things that will ultimately satisfy us?

We are what we eat.
Are we?

What satisfies our deepest hungers?
We might ask, "What is my deepest hunger?" and then go from there.