Jesus saw great need and took the step of bringing a distraught widow’s son back to life. Adults sometimes act like children who play their flutes and expect others to dance to the tunes. At the home of a Pharisee named Simon, a sinful woman who came uninvited seemed out of line. With her tears falling on Jesus’ feet, she dried them with her hair, kissed them, and soothed them with ointment. In contrast, the host did not even offer Jesus the customary basin of water to wash His feet upon arrival. Jesus said that love and forgiveness go toge

Mary agreed to God’s plan, which put Joseph in a bind. He risked ignoring manmade laws and did the right thing by accepting his role in the Holy Family. Jesus chose the Twelve Apostles after spending a night in prayer. Then He preached the Beatitudes to assure a waiting crowd that consolations in heaven surpass afflictions on Earth. Making a decision based on the bedrock of faith enables a person to stand firm. In a world of worldly philosophies, Saint Paul listed what Christians should do. How often do we compare our actions to those of othe

People in Jesus’ hometown synagogue marveled at His words—until He infuriated them with examples of God helping outsiders. At the Lake of Gennesaret (the Sea of Galilee), Jesus preached from Peter’s boat to a crowd onshore. Afterward, when the Lord suggested going fishing, the expert fisherman Peter pointed out that the best time had come and gone. Fish filled two boats, and the miracle filled Peter with humility. Like wine connoisseurs interested only in old vintages, scribes and Pharisees refused the goodness of what Jesus had to offer.

Jesus bashed hypocritical scribes and Pharisees. They paid tithes but indulged themselves. They did much for show but failed to show mercy. In a parable, Jesus described a man who assigned stewardship of significant wealth to three servants in accordance with their capabilities. Two doubled the amounts entrusted to them, but the third only kept the master’s money safe, instead of doing something productive with it. John the Baptist stood up to Herod, who found John both fascinating and fearsome. Paul, Apostle to the Gentiles, gave thanks in p

Jesus advised a young man to do more than follow the Commandments, but giving all of his wealth to the poor seemed like too much for the Lord to ask. Peter wanted to know what perks lay in store for the Twelve, who had given up a lot. Jesus answered that they could anticipate rewards one hundred times greater—and eternal life besides. In a parable, Jesus compared the Kingdom of heaven to a vineyard owner who hired laborers throughout the day but gave them all the same pay. If a pat on the back would mean the world to us, have we become a bit

In the Old Testament, Moses dealt with “stiff-necked” conduct. God’s “Chosen People,” proud of that heritage, wanted God to bend to their desires. When the Twelve objected that Jesus bothered to bless little children brought to them, the Lord set things straight. If they hoped for heaven, the Disciples had to become like little ones, who reach up to big people who love and help them. While correcting somebody in matters of morality can prove productive, Jesus taught that forgiveness remains paramount. Hoping to meet the Lord, how coul

Manna provided food, but people groused to Moses that they still felt famished. Moses, in turn, complained to God for expecting what really seemed like too much from him! Saint Peter miraculously walked on water until fear got in the way of faith, but Jesus saved him. Our Lord understands our fears and our need for His help! Having received the authority to forgive sins—one of the keys to heaven, Peter did not want to hear about Jesus’ impending Passion and death—the master key to our salvation. Peter, James, and John saw the Transfigurat