I am always struck by the way the Letter to the Hebrews describes the Agony in the Garden: “he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence.” He was heard, the epistle assures us, even… Read More »

Wouldn’t you like to have a time machine? You could go back in time to North Africa and watch them build the pyramids. Or forward in time to ride on the first star ship that blasts off to Alpha Centauri. And the people: wouldn’t it be something to meet Abraham Lincoln? Or even Jesus? That… Read More »

According to the Letter to the Hebrews Jesus is able “to sympathize with our weaknesses” since he “has similarly been tested in every way.” When I think of the ways I have been tested the last presidential election comes to mind. It filled me with fear and with a sense of hopelessness. But most of… Read More »

The four men who toted their paralyzed friend to see Jesus are among the “silent witnesses to the Gospel,” in Allan Wright’s commentary. They remind us that besides the main characters in the drama — Jesus and the paralytic — other individuals play a vital role. If his four friends had not brought their friend… Read More »

During these days of “ordinary time” until the season of Lent the daily readings will feature the Gospel of St. Mark. One of the motifs in the Gospel scholars call “the messianic secret.” St. Mark portrays Jesus as trying to hush up people from talking about his might deeds. For example, in the first chapter… Read More »

Jesus “had to become like his brothers and sisters in every way,” according to the epistle to the Hebrews. One way that he is like us is in his limitations. When Jesus begins his ministry the demands on him are great. He does not overdo but instead takes a break, spends some time at rest.… Read More »

It’s not that big a deal to believe in God. The evil spirits believe in God. When Jesus was driving out an unclean spirit it cried out: “I know who you are–the Holy One of God!” So believing in God does not produce salvation. What is difficult is believing that God lives in our midst,… Read More »

“This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” According to the gospel writers the heavenly voice spoke these words at the baptism of Jesus. With this affirmation, Jesus began his public ministry. What strikes me is that Jesus is beloved, Jesus is pleasing to his heavenly Father before he has done anything.… Read More »

The last words spoken by Mary in the gospels are in St. John: “Do whatever he tells you.” The scene is the wedding at Cana and Jesus has basically told his mother to stop bothering him. She ignores the seeming rebuke and presumes that the son she knew to be full of compassion would help… Read More »