John the Baptist was a major figure in the early Christian movement. The image they had of him was drawn from the prophet Isaiah, that of “the voice:”  A voice of one crying out in the desert. Jesus was, by contrast, “the word:”  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the… Read More »

The promise of the Biblical prophets  is that God would care for Israel. The Lord GOD will be gracious to you when you cry out, as soon as he hears he will answer you. What the Bible does not spell out is how that will happen. When we come to Jesus we see that prophetic… Read More »

Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”  But they went out and spread word of him through all that land. It seems that people have had a hard time listening to Jesus right from the beginning! We think we know better — or at least  what will be better for us. … Read More »

The readings suggest that the Advent theme for this day is to have a strong foundation in the faith. Isaiah says, A strong city have we. Jesus says,  “A wise man built his house on rock.” Happily I live in a house with a strong foundation. Even though it is 130+ years old it is safe… Read More »

In ordinary time the readings for the day are done as a “continuous reading,” chapter by chapter. During Advent (and Lent) the reading of the day is more thematic — the first and second readings comment on each other. Today the connecting word is “mountain.” In Isaiah we read: On this mountain the LORD of… Read More »

 Jesus saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and his brother Andrew. He said to them, “Come after me.” St. Matthew portrays Jesus calling two sets of brothers to be his first disciples: Peter  and Andrew, James and John.  However, as the gospels relate Jesus particular companions were Peter, James and John.  Did you ever wonder… Read More »

The Advent season begins with a vision of the ultimate triumph of God in history. According to the vision, the kingdom of God is a universal kingdom, not for an exclusive club for the select few. All nations shall stream toward it, according to Isaiah.  “Many will come from the east and the west, and… Read More »

The good is the enemy of the better. You can see this in athletes. Ball players work hard to develop their skills and if they have enough talent they become pretty good. The temptation at that point is to kick back and rest on your laurels. You’ve worked hard to reach elite status and now… Read More »

Luke 21:34-36 is the gospel reading for today, the last day of the liturgical year, and for tomorrow, the First Sunday of Advent, the first day of the new liturgical year. (This is Year C.) The Church obviously wants us to notice these words of Jesus! Do not become drowsy … Be vigilant at all… Read More »

The Bible has several passages like those in the Book of Daniel which speak in coded language about beasts (“lions and tigers and bears, oh my”) and horns and books and trumpets and other exotic references. A whole cottage industry has developed to decipher what those images refer to. Contrast that with the images Jesus… Read More »