God granted young King Solomon’s request for wisdom beyond his years and sent the prophet Jonah to warn the Ninevites to repent. In Jesus’ generation, people wanted more signs but failed to see where the Lord’s disregard of exaggerated rituals pointed. Ten lepers begged for Jesus’ mercy. All received healing after going on their way, but only one returned to thank the Lord. Sending disciples to minister in His name, Jesus said to travel without provisions. When we pray about what we want God to provide, do we offer a sign of our faith-f

Understandably, Jonah did not see why he should have to tell the people of Nineveh that God planned to destroy the city because of its wickedness. Jonah got angry with God about what he endured, only to have God decide to show mercy toward the Ninevites. When a scholar of Mosaic Law wanted confirmation that he did enough to merit eternal life, the Lord instead told His parable of a good Samaritan. Two sisters welcomed Jesus’ visit, but Martha got exasperated with having to do the serving (a lot, if the Twelve had also come), while Mary sat li

Meeting Jesus for the first time, Nathanael realized that the Lord already knew him. Nathanael, also known as Bartholomew, became one of the Twelve. Unwelcome in a Samaritan village, Jesus told the Disciples not to retaliate. Nevertheless, He could seem harsh at times. When someone wanted to bury his father and then follow Jesus, the Lord said to leave the interment to others. Even a request to say good-bye to family at home met with admonishment to head with Him and not look back. Like children, we need God’s help and tend to ask for it now!

Set free after 70 years of Babylonian captivity, Israelites returned home to rebuild their Temple. Jesus came to free people from slavery to sin. As His ministry grew, He sent the Twelve to preach and heal in His name. However imprudent it seemed, Jesus said to take nothing with them, accept hospitality where they found it, and leave towns where no one welcomed them. Other people speculated about Jesus’ identity, but Peter realized that he had become an Apostle of the Christ of God! Does our faith look more like a temple that gives shining gl

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.