But in anger he looked around at all of them, and was deeply grieved at the hardness of their hearts. Mark 3:5 Within the beginning chapters of Mark’s gospel its central plot and conflict is starkly portrayed. Jesus challenges those surrounding him about the reality of the commandment to keep the Sabbath. They are…[read more]
But the Lord said to Samuel: “Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature, because I have rejected him. Not as man sees does God see, because he sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart.” 1 Samuel 16: 7 Many years ago I met the younger brother of a…[read more]
No one sews a patch of unshrunken cloth on an old cloak; otherwise the piece that covers the hole will rip off, that is, the new from the old, and the tear will be even worse. Nor does anyone put new wine into old leather wineskins; otherwise the wine will split the skins, an both…[read more]
But when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man: “My child, forgiven now are your sins.” Mark 2: 5 In the account of Jesus’ healing of the paralytic man, the gospel makes clear that it is the faith of those who bring him to Jesus that allows for his forgiveness and healing…[read more]
The slaughter was great indeed, and there fell of the Israelites nearly thirty thousand foot soldiers. The ark of God was captured too, and the two sons of Eli died, Hophni and Phinehas. 1 Samuel 4: 10-11 In today’s passage from 1 Samuel we hear of the ignominious and deadly defeat of the Israelites by…[read more]
Jesus went over to her and, taking her by the hand, raised her up, and the fever left her. She then took care of their needs. Mark 1: 31 What is the effect of a true encounter with Jesus? Today’s description of Jesus in the house of Peter and of his healing of Peter’s mother-in-law…[read more]
In the bitterness of her soul Hannah prayed to God with many tears . . . . 1 Samuel 1: 10 Elvin Semrad, a renowned psychotherapist in the last century, used to tell his students that “The client is either sad, mad, or afraid. Everything else is superficial.” Today we hear the story of Hannah…[read more]
One day Elkanah offered sacrifice. He used to give portions to Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters; to Hannah, however, he would give only one portion, although he loved her more, since Yahweh had made her barren. Her rival would taunt her to annoy her, because Yahweh had made her barren. And this…[read more]
It happened that there was a man full of leprosy in one of the towns where Jesus was; and when he saw Jesus, he fell prostrate, pleaded with him, and said, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean.” Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him, and said, “I do will it. Be made…[read more]
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me with the commission to announce good news to the poor, to proclaim release to captives and recovery of sight to the blind; to send off the oppressed with liberty, to proclaim an acceptable year of the Lord. Luke…[read more]
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