Jesus told the Apostles that even family members would experience division over whether to have faith in Him or not. Believers had to put Him first, but even small acts of kindness to support disciples of the Lord would get rewarded. Miracles did not always lead to repentance, and educated leaders did not always realize the ranking of priorities that Jesus set. For example, He put mercy above manmade rules when allowing the Disciples to pick and eat heads of grain while walking on a Sabbath day. Jesus also taught love of neighbors. Why do we pu

In Old Testament readings this week, Joseph encounters and forgives his brothers, who had sold him like chattel and told their father that he had died. With God’s help, Joseph went from slave to prisoner to Pharaoh’s right-hand man. In His expanding ministry, Jesus sent the Twelve to proclaim the Kingdom of God at hand and heal in His name. Taking no provisions with them, the Disciples had to believe that they would find welcome. If persecuted, Jesus said they should rely on the Holy Spirit to tell them what to say and then head out of town

God had promised Abraham not to destroy Sodom if He found at least ten righteous people there. Angels came, leading only a few of Abraham’s family members out of the city before its destruction. God revealed to Isaac’s wife that the firstborn of their twins (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob)—not the usual way of things, and she got actively involved. Jesus could seem harsh at times as He said what people needed to hear. When we feel swamped by fears or worries, does our desire for God’s intervention ignore His desire to help us do o

God promised Abram (Abraham) land to establish a new nation and descendants as numerous as the stars. His wife, Sarah, laughed at the notion of an elderly woman like her having a son to begin the grand lineage. Later, an angel proclaimed that Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, would have a child in their old age, too. Because of his skepticism, Zechariah lost the power of speech until after naming the newborn in accordance with the angel’s message. Their son became John the Baptist. Jesus taught people to believe His words and act on them. Fo

As Jesus continued the “Sermon on the Mount,” He challenged people to go the extra mile. Love family, friends—and enemies. Pray and do good deeds—without drawing attention. Puzzling advice to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” means treating everyone as lovingly and mercifully as possible (although God does it better!). In Saint Paul’s second Letter to the Corinthians, he realized that he sounded insane as he listed the imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, sleepless nights, and deprivations he had endured. When

After the Ascension, the Disciples had much to prayerfully contemplate—and much to do! Jesus had called them “light of the world” and “salt of the earth.” Others should see their shining faith and get a taste of what believing in the Lord meant. Scribes and Pharisees demanded obedience to rules, right down to the last letter. Jesus had come to fulfill the Old Testament, teaching His followers to obey the spirit of the law. Haughtily calling others stupid (raqa) or foolish leaves people answerable to God. When we feel trampled, why wou

Jesus’ Disciples realized that He knew everything, and it must have stung when He said they would abandon Him. Nevertheless, the Lord wanted His friends to have peace and courage. Through the Disciples, more people would come to believe. Saint Paul once asked about a dozen Ephesians if they received the Holy Spirit when they became believers. They had never heard of the Holy Spirit until the day Paul Baptized them. To fulfill our Baptismal mission by using our blessings well, do we follow Jesus’ example of prayer to the Father and attentive