Daniel, given the gift of wise discernment, lived among fellow exiles in Babylonian captivity after the destruction of Jerusalem. He told the people to trust that God would not abandon them—even though they deserved as much for their disobedience. Jesus taught that God considers the way we treat people in determining how to treat us. Showing mercy, forgiving, and helping to alleviate the burdens of others all matter—especially in a spirit of humility. In a parable, our Lord described the heavenly reward of Lazarus, destitute and ignored at

Moses relayed instructions from the Lord, including going beyond the Ten Commandments in treating people justly and lending a hand instead of just standing there. In the Old Testament Book of Esther, a fictional story (like the parables), she prays for God’s help in blocking a plan to destroy the Jewish people. We need God’s help to avoid our own destruction. Jesus established a new covenant, heeded by interacting with others the way we would interact with Him. Challenged by the Lord to be perfect, like the heavenly Father, do the ways we l

James (probably not one of the Twelve but still a leader in the early Church) advised that trials test faith and lead to perseverance in resisting temptation. He reminded people that God does not tempt us; our desires do. Recalling leftovers gathered up after the two miracles of loaves and fish, Jesus provided a reminder that nobody needed the hypocritical ideas fed to people by self-serving Pharisees and Herod. Saint Paul said plainly that we should serve as ambassadors for Christ. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, and Scripture challenges us to m

Ceremoniously placed in the Temple during Solomon’s reign, a chest known as the Ark of the Covenant contained two stone tablets chiseled with words cementing the relationship between God and His people. Jesus called Pharisees hypocrites. For example, they demanded ritual washing but allowed people to wash their hands of responsibility for elderly parents. (Donors had use of Gorban Temple donations for themselves—but not for parents in need.) When a Gentile asked Jesus to cure her daughter, the Lord mimicked what God’s “chosen people”

In the Old Testament, young King Solomon pleased God by asking for wisdom. When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the synagogue in accordance with Mosaic Law, a man named Simeon recognized the Child as the awaited Christ. Later, the Lord’s wisdom and works astonished people who knew Him only as the son of the carpenter and Mary. Jesus met a synagogue official who did not give up hope upon receiving word that his daughter had died. Meanwhile, a woman in the crowd touched the Lord’s cloak and had her hope of healing fulfilled. Jesus sent the

If we refuse to accept the forgiveness offered to us, we blaspheme against the Holy Spirit—the only unforgivable sin. Many failed to understand Jesus’ parables, and the Lord even had to explain to His inner circle the one about seed scattered on different types of ground. It means that the Word only takes root in people receptive to it. Given the light of faith, Jesus taught the Disciples not to hide it! Afraid of perishing at sea and—worse yet—afraid that the Lord didn’t care, the panicked Disciples woke Him as a gale threatened to s

Like a bridegroom who wanted wedding guests to celebrate with him, Jesus made exceptions to the rules on when to fast. Pharisees saw Jesus bursting with ideas fermenting in people’s minds. Desperate to challenge Him, some scribes and Pharisees asked why the Lord allowed His Disciples to pick and eat heads of grain while walking along on a Sabbath day. In a synagogue, Jesus saw a man with a withered hand and asked the Pharisees if they had any objection to doing something good on the Sabbath. They declined to answer, and Jesus healed the man.