Frank Friar Fridays

Frank Friar Fridays

By Fr Patrick Baikauskas OP

Weekly reflections from a Dominican friar.
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Maybe It's Just the Holy Spirit

Frank Friar FridaysMay 22, 2026
00:00
10:51
The harvest is plentiful

The harvest is plentiful

Jesus tells his disciples to pray for laborers — and then sends them out as the answer to their own prayer. Today, I reflect on the baptismal call that belongs to every Christian: priest, prophet, and king. With so many new vocations in the Dominican order to be grateful for, this Sunday's readings are a reminder that the harvest was never meant to be gathered by priests and religious alone. It takes all of us.


Jesus tells his disciples to pray for laborers — andthen sends them out as the answer to their own prayer. Fr. Patrick reflects onthe baptismal call that belongs to every Christian: priest, prophet, and king.With so many new vocations in the Dominican order to be grateful for, thisSunday's readings are a reminder that the harvest was never meant to begathered by priests and religious alone. It takes all of us.

Jun 12, 202611:09
We Are What We Eat

We Are What We Eat

A reflection on the Solemnity of Corpus Christi.

Jun 05, 202609:24
But They Will When I'm Finished

But They Will When I'm Finished

A reflection for Holy Trinity Sunday.

May 29, 202609:18
Maybe It's Just the Holy Spirit

Maybe It's Just the Holy Spirit

Something remarkable is happening in the Church — record numbers of people coming to faith or returning to it, all over the world. We keep looking for complicated explanations.


May 22, 202610:51
The Blessing of Going Away

The Blessing of Going Away

What the ascension looks like in our own lives.

May 15, 202609:37
She Is Not Lost

She Is Not Lost

On Mother's Day, I reflect on a man whose kindness transformed every stranger he met — and on what Jesus means when he promises he will not leave us orphans.


May 08, 202609:14
Ricardo's Smile: A Bolivian Orphanage and the Gospel of Showing Up

Ricardo's Smile: A Bolivian Orphanage and the Gospel of Showing Up

With the love of God, anything is possible.

May 01, 202610:00
Whose voice do we follow?

Whose voice do we follow?

The voice that fears us with fear, anger, and hatred, or the voice that brings us peace.

Apr 24, 202610:55
Our journey of faith can challenge us and move us in directions that can be scary

Our journey of faith can challenge us and move us in directions that can be scary

But we must have trust that the journey of faith will bring us to the place our Lord desires for us

Apr 17, 202607:14
Is Jesus here yet? Celebrating a call to discipleship

Is Jesus here yet? Celebrating a call to discipleship

n this special episode, we celebrate 75 incredible years of St. Tom's serving the Catholic student community at Purdue University. Drawing on decades of transformative mission trips to places like Cuba, Haiti, Bolivia, and Puerto Rico, we explore the often intimidating but beautiful call to discipleship. How do we encounter the living God in our brokenness? Join us as we reflect on the wisdom of Pope Francis and Henri Nouwen, celebrate a legacy of everyday witnessing, and ask the profound, simple question of a child: "Is Jesus here yet?"


Apr 10, 202609:10
Roll away the stone in your life

Roll away the stone in your life

What is blocking you from experiencing Jesus' joy in your life?

Apr 03, 202607:57
We can let fear triumph

We can let fear triumph

That is exactly what some in our culture count on.

Mar 27, 202611:33
Why Jesus Wept

Why Jesus Wept

This podcast is about the heartache of watching loved ones drift from the faith, the fears that bind us, and the hope found in Christ's healing love.

Mar 20, 202608:42
I once was lost, but now am found....

I once was lost, but now am found....

was blind, but now I see.

Mar 15, 202609:24
God in a Box:Hypocrisy of War

God in a Box:Hypocrisy of War

You cannot put God in a box pull him out to bless a war and put him away when his teachings become too difficult to follow. Today we have to talk about the atrocities in Iran, the hypocrisy of our leaders and why the blood is on our hands too.

Mar 06, 202607:51
Illuminating the Corners: The Journey to Holiness

Illuminating the Corners: The Journey to Holiness

In a world that can often feel dark, we are called to a profound transformation that goes far beyond our comfort zones. Join us as we explore how opening every part of our lives to God's grace allows the light of Christ to truly shine through us.


Feb 27, 202609:49
The Steel Mill vs. The Garden: Choosing Sacrificial Love

The Steel Mill vs. The Garden: Choosing Sacrificial Love

My parents weren't the type to take shortcuts. But if I'm being honest, it took me years to appreciate the sacrifices they made in those factories and steel mills. This Lent, we're looking at the temptation to seek out distractions and avoid the tough choices in life.


Feb 20, 202610:25
Jesus was political

Jesus was political

"If the Church stays silent on injustice, are we failing our mission? In this episode, we tackle the discomfort of 'political' homilies and distinguish between endorsing candidates and defending human dignity.


Feb 13, 202607:34
Pass the Salt, Turn on the Light: The Courage to Shine

Pass the Salt, Turn on the Light: The Courage to Shine

What do we do to shine before others so that they may see God alive in us?

Feb 06, 202609:29
The Remnant That Speaks No Lies

The Remnant That Speaks No Lies

This is a reflection on truth, trust, and the hunger for justice.


Jan 30, 202610:53
How well do we see?

How well do we see?

Do we see how Christ calls each of us to live out our lives as a light to others?

Jan 23, 202608:12
The Tale of Two Weddings

The Tale of Two Weddings

Do we live out our faith as a part-time job? We need to let the Holy Spirit in - all the time.

Jan 16, 202609:42
Are we truly seekers of peace?

Are we truly seekers of peace?

Would our Lord be pleased with us, as a nation?

Jan 09, 202607:34
Have you ever had an epiphany, and...

Have you ever had an epiphany, and...

...has it changed the path you took in life?

Jan 02, 202608:38
What does it mean for us to celebrate the Holy Family...

What does it mean for us to celebrate the Holy Family...

...and how do we relate that to our own family?

Dec 26, 202506:24
Let there be peace on Earth....

Let there be peace on Earth....

....and let it begin with each of us - today.

Dec 19, 202508:31
Are you ready for Christmas?

Are you ready for Christmas?

There's more to do than buy and wrap presents and send Christmas cards and bake cookies - much more.

Dec 12, 202508:37
John the Baptist challenges us to prepare the way of the Lord

John the Baptist challenges us to prepare the way of the Lord

and that means in every part of our lives.

Dec 05, 202506:32
As we enter Advent, what kind of person do I want to be?"

As we enter Advent, what kind of person do I want to be?"

"As I enter the season of Christ’s birth, the man [or woman] I want to be is one who...

And, "The state of heart I desire is..."

And finally: "I want my family or my community to see in me..."

Nov 28, 202507:36
SPECIAL EPISODE - MY HOMILY AT ST. TOM'S ON THE 25TH JUBILEE OF DOMINICANS AT PURDUE

SPECIAL EPISODE - MY HOMILY AT ST. TOM'S ON THE 25TH JUBILEE OF DOMINICANS AT PURDUE

THIS IS A BONUS EPISODE FOR THIS WEEK.

Nov 22, 202511:23
No Kings - but who is OUR King?

No Kings - but who is OUR King?

An important question for us.

Nov 21, 202507:46
What do we take with us when we leave this earth?

What do we take with us when we leave this earth?

Remember that when you leave this earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received… but only what you have given: a full heart, enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice and courage."

Nov 14, 202509:15
How do we bring life to those around us?

How do we bring life to those around us?

It's an important question for us.

Nov 07, 202508:43
We remember not only those that have gone before us in the faith....

We remember not only those that have gone before us in the faith....

but what we need to do today, for the people who groan with anxiety and hunger.

Oct 31, 202509:54
Breaking the Mirror - Why Being "Good Enough" Isn't Enough

Breaking the Mirror - Why Being "Good Enough" Isn't Enough

Some think our leadership in the United States might reflect the second coming. We can expect more.

Oct 24, 202507:51
Mercy Over Revolution

Mercy Over Revolution

A reflection on events and discussion of this week - we cannot confuse a revolution with a revival.

Oct 17, 202508:52
Are we grateful for all we have?

Are we grateful for all we have?

If we are - do we show it?

Oct 10, 202509:42
What can we do in these challenging times?

What can we do in these challenging times?

A lot - if we are people of faith.

Oct 03, 202509:42
We need to figure out who we want to be in God's eyes.

We need to figure out who we want to be in God's eyes.

Sorry, I forgot to post it. I recorded it on Friday, but got distracted.

Sep 29, 202510:35
A reflection on the death of Charlie Kirk in the light of The Beatitudes

A reflection on the death of Charlie Kirk in the light of The Beatitudes

I was trying to come up with a different title for this episode - but this one works.

Sep 19, 202510:21
Why we ALL need to be WOKE!

Why we ALL need to be WOKE!

Yes, you heard me.

Sep 12, 202514:40
It sounds like Jesus is telling us to hate people close to us...

It sounds like Jesus is telling us to hate people close to us...

...that can't be right, can it?

Sep 06, 202511:14
Are we friends - real friends - with Jesus?

Are we friends - real friends - with Jesus?

or just passing acquaintances?

Aug 22, 202509:53
Are you ready to set the world on fire???

Are you ready to set the world on fire???

I hope so.

Aug 15, 202508:18
Are we vigilant? Are we preparing ourselves?

Are we vigilant? Are we preparing ourselves?

That is always a good question, and maybe we are especially focusing on this time of year.

Aug 08, 202509:28
Vanity of vanities, all is vanity

Vanity of vanities, all is vanity

Well, what's that mean for you? What is truly important in our lives?

Aug 01, 202509:07
For what, how and why do we pray?

For what, how and why do we pray?

Let us ask, seek, and knock, not just expecting God to provide answers, but ready to be the hands and feet through which God's will is fulfilled on earth as it is in heaven. 

Jul 25, 202510:15
Are you a Martha or a Mary? That's not a question only for the women listeners

Are you a Martha or a Mary? That's not a question only for the women listeners

This is a question we all need to answer.

Jul 18, 202507:42
What does the parable of the good Samaritan say to us?

What does the parable of the good Samaritan say to us?

What concrete things can we do to truly live out the message of this parable?

Jul 11, 202510:48
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