We have not taken to preaching because we are deluded, or immoral, or trying to deceive anyone; it was God who decided that we were fit to be entrusted with the Good News, and when we are speaking we are not trying to please men but God, who can read our inmost thoughts. 1 Thessalonians…[read more]
Nathaniel replied: “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered: “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these?” John 1: 49-50 What is necessary to become and to be a disciple of Jesus? One…[read more]
Naomi said, “See now! Your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and her god. Go back after your sister-in-law!” But Ruth said, “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my…[read more]
When the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man not wearing a wedding garment. And he said to him: “Friend, how did you come in here, not having a wedding garment?” But he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: “Tie him up hand and foot, and…[read more]
When they received their pay they murmured against the householder: “These last ones worked one hour, and you made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the heat.” Matthew 20: 12 When I was a child, there would, at times, descend upon our home a cold, stony, and frightening…[read more]
The Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have and save Israel from the power of Midian. It is I who send you.” But Gideon answered him, “Please, my lord, how can I save Israel? My family is the lowliest in Manasseh, and I am the most insignificant in my father’s…[read more]
The young man said to him: “I have kept all these things. What am I still lacking?” Matthew 19: 20 As occurs many times throughout the public ministry of Jesus, the encounter between Jesus and the young man in today’s gospel exemplifies Jesus’ attentiveness and response to the uniqueness and the inner stirrings of a…[read more]
Peter approached Jesus and asked him, “Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often must I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus answered, “I say to you, not seven times but seventy-seven times. Matthew 18: 21-2 On most readings of today’s familiar passage from Matthew, I have just assumed that Peter is…[read more]
It is the Lord who marches before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed. Deut. 31: 8 One of the the most common injunctions in both Hebrew and Christian scriptures is “Do not fear.” Fearfulness has many causes in us, including…[read more]
Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also. Whoever serves me the Father will honor. John 12: 26 . . . an eternal remembrance the just man shall be. From evil rumor he shall not fear. His heart is firm, he trusts in the LORD. Psalm 112:…[read more]
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