The Gospels are written to lead people to faith. St. Luke’s particular report of the Transfiguration of Jesus teaches something important about Christian belief. While the basic details are the same in all reports of the Transfiguration, St. Luke has three subtle differences. First, Moses and Elijah talk with Jesus about his “exodus.” The heavenly… Read More »

Tale of two meals. The Book of Numbers talks about the Hebrew children grumbling because Moses only provided them with manna — how boring. Moses felt put upon. “I cannot carry all this people by myself, for they are too heavy for me.” Moses had to learn that he was not carrying the people, God… Read More »

Isn’t it fascinating that Jesus knew his limitations? When asked to solve a dispute he answered, “Friend, who appointed me as your judge and arbitrator?” If Jesus is not in a position to resolve every issue how much less are we able to! Often in life questioned are posed which are beyond our ken. Why… Read More »

The Book of Leviticus describes the implementation of a Year of Jubilee every fifty years. “This fiftieth year you shall make sacred by proclaiming liberty in the land for all its inhabitants.” In a year of Jubilee, forgiveness is extended; debts are forgiven; everyone returns to their family estates; no work is to be done… Read More »

During this summer the readings for the day are taken from the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. The third book, Leviticus, deals with matters of Jewish practice. There is a description of the three great pilgrimage feasts, Passover, Pentecost (Weeks), and Sukkot (Booths), when the faithful were expected to come to Jerusalem… Read More »

“Every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom both the new and the old.” While Jesus was giving a fresh understanding of our relationship with God (we do call it the New Testament, after all) his way must always be… Read More »

“The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried, … a merchant searching.” The images that Jesus used to help us understand the spiritual life tell us that God is hiding in plain sight. There a rather obscure play by Anthony Newley which begins with a song. “There is a beautiful land where all your… Read More »

“The LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, as one man speaks to another.” It is no wonder that Moses is so revered in Judaism — that kind of intimacy with God is what we all strive for. To reach that point in our own prayer life Moses gives us a few hints.… Read More »

The meeting of Martha and Jesus at the tomb of her brother, Lazarus, was filled with human emotion. Jesus himself wept. When Jesus talked with her about having faith in the resurrection of the dead she basically said, “I know that but that knowledge is not helping me at this moment of loss.” Then Jesus… Read More »

Have you ever watched hummingbirds? My recent retreat was in silence so during meals I would look out the window at the hummingbird feeder: small birds but beautiful to look at with the ruby collar and the iridescent feathers and acrobatic flying who would make any stunt pilot envious with their ability to start, stop,… Read More »