REFLECTIONS TODAY In 1986, marine archaeologists discovered an ancient boat a little north of Magdala and calculated that the boat was built only a few years after the ministry of Jesus, very likely the kind of boat used by the disciples who were Galilean fishermen. The Sea of Galilee yielded a...
REFLECTIONS TODAY When Jesus started his ministry in the towns of Galilee, he would preach in the open: on the mountain, the plains, and the seashores. He would also preach in the synagogues where the Jews would gather on the Sabbath. Especially after the destruction of Solomon’s Temple (587 BC),...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The people of Capernaum are astonished because Jesus teaches them with authority (Greek exousia). “Authority” here refers to Jesus’ power to proclaim the Word of God that not only reveals, but commands and effects its message. Jesus’ word has the power (dunamis) to command...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The passion of John the Baptist prefigures Jesus’ own. Just as John is arrested and bound, so will Jesus be arrested, bound, presented before the court of Pontius Pilate, and sentenced to death (Mk 14:46—15:1). John’s sentence is pronounced amid revelry and debauchery....
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 14:1, 7-14 On a Sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Matthew 25:14-30 The eschatological discourse of Jesus is again illustrated by the parable of the talents. A talent (Greek talenton) was an ancient unit for measuring the value of precious metals, usually gold and silver. In the New Testament, a talent was a value of...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Gospel • Matthew 25:1-13 The parable of the Ten Virgins points to the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time. Matthew alludes to Jesus as the “bridegroom,” to the community of God’s faithful (the Church) as the “bride,” and to the joy of God’s Kingdom as the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Using the Jewish apocalyptic imagery, Jesus speaks of the final judgment often referred to as the Day of the Lord. As the glorious Son of Man, Jesus will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night, and will ask for an accounting from the “servants” — people to whom...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In John, Philip is instrumental in bringing Nathanael to Jesus (1:45). In Jesus’ choice of the Twelve (Apostles), the name Bartholomew follows that of Philip (Mt 10:3), so it is construed that Nathanael and Bartholomew could be the same person. In Jewish culture, it is customary...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In the fourth woe addressed to the scribes and the Pharisees, Jesus relativizes the duty of tithing in comparison to justice, mercy, and faith. While the scribes and Pharisees take pride in their giving of tithes on grain, wine, oil, and even on the tiniest herbs used for...
REFLECTIONS TODAY A s offshoot of her assumption into heaven, Mary was crowned as Queen of heaven and earth. This parallels the dignity of her Son, Jesus Christ, the King of the universe. Mary’s title is derived from her founda tional privilege as the Mother of God, as the Theotokos or...
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 13:22-30 Jesus passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, “Lord, will only a few people be saved?” He answered them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but...
