Why does Jesus object to being called good? “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” Our Lord wanted the Rich Young Man (and hence, us) to understand that goodness is not an accomplishment or an achievement. No one is good because of their ability to keep the commandments or… Read More »
MARCH32019
Some wag called it “wooden beam in the eye disease” — the tendency we have as humans to see clearly the faults of others but be blind to our own. If we want to see ourselves or others clearly, Jesus says, look to the “fruits.” Who is the one bringing peace and joy to others?… Read More »
MARCH22019
Children were obviously very important to Jesus. He invokes them frequently in helping us understand what it means to be disciples. We must “become like children to enter the kingdom of God.” We must be as humble as a child to be great in the kingdom. The kingdom of God belongs to children and “whoever… Read More »
MARCH12019
In the Latin Bible the book of Sirach was known as the Liber Ecclesiasticus, the church’s book, because it was used by the early church as a source of catechetical and ethical training. One bit of that training is about the importance of friends. “A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter; he who finds one… Read More »
FEBRUARY282019
St. Mark’s gospel reminds us that causing harm to “the little ones” has been there from the beginning. It was horrible then and it is horrible now. Jesus admonition to “cut off” the offending limb or “pluck out” the offending eye made me think of what we used to call “the near occasions of sin.”… Read More »
FEBRUARY272019
From now until Lent begins the readings will be taken from the Book of Sirach. This is a late book, written about the year 200BC in Hebrew but translated into Greek about the year 135BC. Portions of the original Hebrew were re-discovered in the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is not considered part of the Hebrew… Read More »
FEBRUARY262019
In St. Mark’s portrayal, the twelve apostles are remarkably thick. In one scene they are portrayed as unable to do anything to bring about healing without Jesus. In the next scene they are described as “discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.” You can almost hear Jesus’ exasperation with them. To cure… Read More »
FEBRUARY252019
“I do believe, help my unbelief!” This heart-felt cry from a father seeking Jesus to cure his son is one that we can relate to. How often we turn to God but are unsure of the divine response. Recall that the opposite of faith is not doubt but certainty. Faith always implies a risk as… Read More »
FEBRUARY242019
Are things getting better or are things getting worse? On the one hand the rich keep getting richer and the poor poorer. On the other hand, the number of people living in what economists call absolute poverty has dropped from 44% in 1980 to 10% today. On the one hand the potential death and destruction… Read More »
FEBRUARY232019
The Letter to the Hebrews provides a definition of faith: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” Contrast that understanding of faith with the story of the Transfiguration in St. Mark’s Gospel. There instead of faith the chosen apostles are given sight, are given the fulfillment of… Read More »
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 187
- 188
- 189
- 190
- 191
- …
- 299
- Next Page »