The conversion of St. Paul was a really big deal in the Church’s history, the only such feast in the liturgical year. St. Luke in the Acts of the Apostles tells the story three different times and Paul himself gives his take in the letter to the Galatians. The three accounts in Acts differ in… Read More »

Did you ever wonder if Mr. Zebedee was upset with Jesus? He had worked his whole life to build up his fishing business. He must have been pretty successful at it, able to hire on some help. No doubt part of the reason for that success was the presence of two strapping sons. Those extra… Read More »

St. Mark begins the gospel reporting on the large crowds that followed Jesus. He was not, however, universally admired. Almost from the beginning of his ministry the “Pharisees and Herodians” were conspiring against him. Even his family, those who would seemingly have been closest to him, were not fans.  His relatives said, “He is out… Read More »

After the initial success of Jesus’ preaching mission he establishes a core group as an embodiment of the new Israel that his ministry inaugurates. Jesus  appointed Twelve, whom he also named Apostles, that they might be with him and he might send them forth. Notice that the apostles have two roles: to “be with him”… Read More »

In St. Mark’s gospel Jesus is portrayed as having a large following. The crowds seem to pursue him not because of his message but because they think they will get something out of it — healing, wholeness, health. Even his disciples are somewhat clueless about the identity of Jesus. The demons know who he is:… Read More »

Melchizedek, without father, mother, or ancestry, without beginning of days or end of life, thus made to resemble the Son of God, he remains a priest forever. The emphasis the Letter to the Hebrews puts on Melchizedek seems somewhat puzzling. A priest has the role of lifting the people up into the presence of God.… Read More »

In his book, The Sabbath, Rabbi Abraham Heschel described the Sabbath as a “cathedral of time.” Just as we need sacred spaces to put us in the presence of God, so we must set aside time where our attention and focus is on God. Before the pandemic, the idea of sabbath rest was almost completely… Read More »

The memory of Jesus in Gethsemane must have been strong in the Church. The gospel writers tell the story, each in his own way, and the epistle to the Hebrews recounts it like this: Jesus offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death,… Read More »

“What are you looking for?” Jesus asked the first disciples. Imagine if Steve Harvey was asking that question. What are you looking for? Good health. Survey said, 2%. What are you looking for? Peace of mind. Survey said, 3%. What are you looking for? Meaning or purpose in life. Survey said, 10%. What are you… Read More »

When we think of the sufferings of Christ we usually refer to the events surrounding his death — the torture he was put through at the crucifixion. The letter to the Hebrews asks us to broaden our understanding of what Jesus endured.  We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with… Read More »