Gospel

In the Hebrew Scriptures high mountains were traditionally seen as holy places where one could encounter God. It was on the summit of Mt Sinai that Moses received the Law from God (Ex 19) and it was on Mt Horeb that Elijah encountered God in the gentle breeze (1Kings 19:9ff).Read More →

We read that this Lenten fast was formerly observed by Moses and Elijah, and by it is shown that the Gospel does not differ from the Law and the Prophets. Moreover, by this fast we are instructed that after Baptism we ought throughout the whole time of this present worldRead More →

Jesus’ fulfilling was to be seen in contrast to annulling. Jesus would bring a new mindset to the Torah. He was not the first to do this. The prophets had consistently interpreted and studied the Torah in depth, teasing out its consequences, purifying it and applying it to the ever-changing social conditions. InRead More →

In our 21st c. Christian ears, what Jesus says is charming. But something is lost. We translate two different words from Matthew’s Greek manuscript. One word, “Kosmos,” we hear as “world,” as in “the light of the world.” The other we translate as “earth,” as in “the salt of theRead More →

Christ the Lord When Jesus teaches, he takes an authoritative posture: he is not just giving advice, he is unveiling Truth. St. Matthew illustrates this with two details prefacing Chapters 5-7 of his Gospel, the chapters that present in summary form Christ’s idea of how we ought to live, commonlyRead More →

There are still too many people in our world dwelling in darkness. Too many still without hope. Too many consumed by the bad news constantly being proclaimed. And it is up to us to show them the light. To be the light of the world. To let our good worksRead More →

This is day 2 of Jesus’ ministry.  John sees Jesus coming towards him and uses the phrase “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” for the first time.  This concept would have been earth shattering to a Jew.  The concept of an animal absorbing sin inRead More →

One of the most dramatic moments in this passage is the opening of heaven. In Jewish thought, the heavens represented the realm of God, often perceived as distant from the earthly realm. The image of heaven opening signifies a moment of divine intervention and revelation. It signals that what isRead More →

As he was describing the gift of the Word of God made man out of love for us, St. John the Evangelist also mentioned that “the world did not know him” and “his own people did not accept him” (John 1:11). We know that God created us free, and weRead More →

Joseph dreams of a life yet to be revealed. Herod is searching to keep the life he already knows. Joseph dreams about what might be. Herod searches for what was. Joseph is willing to get up and go, leave behind what he has, and change his life. Herod is afraid,Read More →