Carrie Fisher of Star Wars fame once said, “The problem with instant gratification is that it takes too long.” That is a modern sentiment because what we want we want right now. But the most important things in life take time: a child growing in the womb, a seed planted in the ground, a broken… Read More »

If you go to the business section or the self-help section of a book store you will find books on how to get ahead, about the habits of the successful, how to come out on top, how to be highly effective, about achieving recognition, about becoming your best self. By contrast the Bible thinks not… Read More »

In a recent book the clueless hero was examining a house. She entered the bathroom and there was a note on the mirror “You are looking at the problem.” She turned around and started examining the shelves around her. It is hard for us to own up to our failings. The prophet Nathan told a… Read More »

Jesus said to the crowds: “This is how it is with the Kingdom of God; it is as if a man were to scatter seed on the land and would sleep and rise night and day and the seed would sprout and grow, he knows not how. Of its own accord the land yields fruit.… Read More »

King David decided he wanted to “build a house for the Lord.” He would centralize worship for the Israelites in his new capital, Jerusalem by constructing a temple. The prophet told him “no.” He should never think that he was doing something for God. God did for him. God would confirm his “house” as the… Read More »

The Parable of the Sower is one of the best remembered stories which Jesus told. It is unusual because it includes an explanation. However, the explanation reflects the fact that there has been a forty year gap between Jesus pronouncing the parable and it being written down. The explanation says something about the early church.… Read More »

In the book, The Chosen, by Chaim Potok a son has been trained by his father in the techniques of modern Biblical exegesis. His best friend is a member of a ultraorthodox Hasidic community who read the Bible literally. The son opines to his father that ignoring modernity has limited the Hasidim. Yes, the father… Read More »

Second Timothy is traditionally thought of as St. Paul’s last epistle since it refers to his death in 67AD.  In the Acts of the Apostles Timothy is one of the companions of Paul who remained as a local bishop after Paul was arrested and brought to Rome. Some scholars speculate that Paul might not have… Read More »

Jesus begins his ministry by preaching that the kingdom is at hand so you had better repent. This was not the first time the crowds had heard that message. John the Baptist had preached in a similar manner and his arrest had prompted Jesus to take up the mantle. Where he differs from John is… Read More »

As St. Mark tells the story of Jesus he provoked strong reactions. He inspired disciples to leave everything and follow him. He drew crowds to him because he “taught with authority.” He developed a reputation as a healer which attracted people from far and wide. On the other hand, he created hostility on the part… Read More »