Jesus… came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples… When the Sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this…” And they took offense at him. (Mk 6:1-2;3) The ancient Jews were always demanding signs from their prophets …
“God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living”… “For God formed man to be imperishable; the image of his own nature he made him.” (Wis 1:13; 2:23) Modern man views death as something natural. There are three reasons for this. First, common sense indicates that no one lives …
When they came on the eighth day to circumcise the child, they were going to call him Zechariah after his father, but his mother said in reply, “No. He will be called John.” But they answered her, “There is no one among your relatives who has this name.” (Lk 1:57-61) The naming of a newborn …
Therefore, we aspire to please [God]… For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil. (2 Cor 5:9-10) At least since the Protestant Reformation, there has been much debate over what response to God is …
Summoning them, he began to speak to them in parables, “How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. (Mk 3:23-25) Discord and division, if not remedied, will be the diminution or …
“Christ… entered once for all into the sanctuary, not with the blood of goats and calves but with his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. For if the blood of goats and bulls… can sanctify those who are defiled how much more will the blood of Christ…” (Heb 9:11-14) While every Sunday Mass is a …
The Word of God came forth to nest, Within the womb of Virgin Blessed, And there secured the very form, With which He dwelt upon the earth To scrutinize the world forlorn. In Sion’s midst, He did survey. His parents feared He went astray, They sought his frame for all the day, Once lost, …
The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if only we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him. (Rom 8:16-17) The most famous paintings of the Holy Trinity theme depict Jesus …
Jesus came and stood in their midst… he showed them his hands and his side. Jesus said to them… As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. (Jn 20:19-22) For our reflection on sacred scripture …
I gave them your word, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world any more than I belong to the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world any …