Frank Friar Fridays

Frank Friar Fridays

By Fr Patrick Baikauskas OP

Weekly reflections from a Dominican friar.
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What does Easter mean for us?

Frank Friar FridaysApr 15, 2022
00:00
10:41
A gospel reflection for Independence Day

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.

Jul 04, 202509:58
We are all called to a constant conversion. What does that look like??

We are all called to a constant conversion. What does that look like??

Peter and Paul show us the way.

Jun 27, 202511:27
How does what we experience at Mass change us?

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.

Jun 20, 202512:35
This weekend we remember our fathers, and the connection to Our Father's love

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.”

Jun 13, 202510:40
What is it that we celebrate on the Feast of Pentecost?

What is it that we celebrate on the Feast of Pentecost?

It is about the receiving of a great gift.

Jun 06, 202510:04
Do we recognize that Jesus is always with us?

Do we recognize that Jesus is always with us?

And if we recognize that, what does it mean for us? How are we changed?

May 30, 202512:20
How do we remember those who have gone before us in the faith?

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?

May 23, 202514:24
I give you a new commandment, love one another

I give you a new commandment, love one another

That's what we hear this weekend, but what does it mean for us specifically?

May 16, 202509:38
On Good Shepherd Sunday we celebrate a new shepherd

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!

May 09, 202509:48
Peter, do you love me?

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.

May 02, 202509:31
Is Jesus here yet?

Is Jesus here yet?

That's what we hear the apostle, Thomas, ask, but we might ask ourselves.

Apr 25, 202512:33
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?

Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?

Here's a great response next time someone asks that question.

Apr 18, 202509:48
Why do bad things happen to good people?

Why do bad things happen to good people?

The readings on Palm Sunday give us the reason.

Apr 11, 202509:49
Another broadcast from Rome: What is a Missionary of Mercy?

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.

Apr 04, 202524:50
A broadcast from Rome

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.

Mar 29, 202510:16
How are we the face of Christ to the people in our lives?

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?

Mar 21, 202510:05
God will lead us where we need to go....

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

....if we let God.

Mar 14, 202507:29
How will we find our happiness?

How will we find our happiness?

It comes down to choices, and the choices are always are to make.

Mar 07, 202509:44
Special edition for Ash Wednesday

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.

Mar 05, 202507:27
We are each called to see the beam in our own eye first...

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.

Feb 28, 202508:26
Love those who hate you, don't judge, don't resent, etc. etc. etc.

Love those who hate you, don't judge, don't resent, etc. etc. etc.

Are these teachings of Jesus realistic? Well, you tell me!!

Feb 21, 202508:46
How our vice-president gets Thomas Aquinas wrong

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.

Feb 14, 202509:26
Is Jesus calling you to be a fisher of men and women?

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

You betcha!!!

Feb 07, 202508:30
Who are the wisdom figures in our lives? Who is always there to extend a helping hand?

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.

Jan 31, 202510:47
What did Jesus say in his inaugural address?

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.

Jan 24, 202510:45
Broadcast from Italy on the wedding at Cana

Broadcast from Italy on the wedding at Cana

Hope you enjoy it.

Jan 17, 202508:13
What does our love look like? A podcast from Italy

What does our love look like? A podcast from Italy

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

Jan 10, 202510:20
Filling in some of the gaps in my life's story

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.

Jan 10, 202524:39
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?

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?

Jan 03, 202510:49
My reading recommendations for 2024

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

Dec 27, 202416:41
Who are the prophets in your life?

Who are the prophets in your life?

And when and how are you called to be a prophet to others?

Dec 20, 202409:20
Gaudete Sunday - Rejoice - But what if we don’t feel like rejoicing?

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?

Dec 13, 202408:36
How are you preparing yourself this Advent season?

How are you preparing yourself this Advent season?

There are specific things we can do. Here are some suggestions.

Dec 06, 202410:31
Wow, it doesn't get any better than this?

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.

Nov 29, 202412:44
Make Christ Great Again - MCGA

Make Christ Great Again - MCGA

Maybe I should say Keep Christ Great!!

Nov 22, 202410:04
As Christians, the current times call us to be brave in living out our faith...

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.

Nov 15, 202410:40
Do you trust God?

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.

Nov 08, 202411:56
What is the great commandmment of Jesus?

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.

Nov 01, 202409:13
How can we open our eyes to the needs of others?

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.

Oct 25, 202409:41
How are you called to serve?

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.

Oct 18, 202410:45
Why do we make the choices that we do?

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.

Oct 11, 202412:03
All are welcome, all are welcome

All are welcome, all are welcome

all are welcome, in this space.

Oct 04, 202409:37
Whatever happened to sin?

Whatever happened to sin?

Yes! So you can skip this episode if you don't have a problem with sinning!!

Sep 27, 202408:46
Are we ready to humble ourselves – to be the servant God calls each of us to be?

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.

Sep 20, 202414:19
Faith without works is dead

Faith without works is dead

That's what we hear in the Bible, so how does that look in our daily lives?

Sep 06, 202411:41
What do we do with our gift of faith?

What do we do with our gift of faith?

Yes! That's right. We are supposed to do something with it.

Aug 30, 202410:37
There's a lot of decisions to make in our lives.

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?

Aug 23, 202410:04
What will satisfy our longings?

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?

Aug 16, 202408:53
We are what we eat.

We are what we eat.

Are we?

Aug 09, 202409:25
What satisfies our deepest hungers?

What satisfies our deepest hungers?

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

Aug 02, 202409:16