In the parable, the workers who are hired first are hurt: they are not only paid last, but are treated the same way as the latecomers. Obviously, Jesus uses exaggerations in this parable. Therefore, it is not to be taken literally, much less to draw an image of God from the landowner. The heart of...
Jesus’ invitation for the rich man to sell what he has goes beyond letting go of his possessions in terms of money and “bank accounts.” The man is invited to give up his family. In the ancient Mediterranean world, the person’s greatest possessions were his family, home, and land. Jesus is...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In truth, Jesus does not require all his disciples to sell their property or leave home to follow him as an itinerant preacher. The sisters Martha and Mary, and their brother Lazarus, stay home where they offer Jesus hospitality whenever he is around. Zacchaeus, the tax collector,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY LUKE 1:39-56 Mary set out and traveled to the hill country in haste to a town of Judah, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out in a...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In response to Jesus’ prohibition of divorce, his disciples remark, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” Instead of discussing further the pros and cons of marriage, Jesus directs their attention to another level: to renounce marriage for...
REFLECTIONS TODAY In response to Jesus’ prohibition of divorce, his disciples remark, “If that is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” Instead of discussing further the pros and cons of marriage, Jesus directs their attention to another level: to renounce marriage for...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The parable of the Unforgiving Servant illustrates why we are asked by Jesus to forgive “seventy-seven times” those who have wronged us. The number is limitless, probably a contrast to the limitless vengeance of Lamech (Gn 4:24). The reason is that God, as symbolized by the...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Chapter 18 of Matthew is often called “Community Discourse” or “Church Book.” Here, the evangelist gathers Jesus’ teachings on how his disciples are to live and deal with each other as a community. They should have the humility of a child, and care for each other,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY Jesus takes his parables from the workings of nature and the ordinary activities of men and women. In view of the mystery of his coming death, he sketches out the paradox of life through death using the image of the grain of wheat. When the farmer sows, the grain is “buried”...
REFLECTIONS TODAY The “kings of the earth” levy taxes to support the government and their royal lifestyle. Taxes are levied against land, homes, and other real estate, slaves, animals, personal items, and monetary wealth. Rome exacted taxes from its citizens, but most especially from...
JOHN 6:41-51 The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven,” and they said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered and said to them,...
REFLECTIONS TODAY When a man approaches Jesus to cure his son possessed by a demon because Jesus’ disciples could not drive the demon out, Jesus reproaches the “faithless and perverse generation.” To whom is the reproach addressed? It can be addressed to the unbelievers among the Jewish...
