Reflection for the Week

Suffering has a wide range, from poverty and hunger to sadness and exclusion. Seeing a man with a withered hand in the synagogue on a Sabbath, Jesus asked scribes and Pharisees on hand if He could lawfully do something good that day. Scripture doesn’t record a reply, but Jesus performed the miracle anyway. Athletes train, setting the bar high for a winning jump or other crowns of victory. Seeking eternal life entails giving more than asked, showing kindness to ungrateful people, and forgiving instead of judging. Humbly obedient to the will of

Jesus went beyond literal fulfillment of words from the prophet Isaiah as He brought Good News to the poor in spirit, freed captives to sin, and granted eyesight or insight to people who wanted to see. In Nazareth, people tried to run Jesus off a cliff for pointing out favors from God to Gentiles. On the other hand, after the Lord cured Peter’s mother-in-law and others who came to the house, people begged Him to stay there. Pharisees, sure of themselves, placed some unsalvageable demands on people. Jesus used the analogies of trying to patch

Jesus openly challenged hypocritical scribes and Pharisees. Their example got in the way of people seeking to enter the Kingdom of heaven. They acted as if tithing excused their lack of mercy. They engaged in ritual while ignoring righteousness. Using another teaching method, the Lord told parables to get whole crowds thinking. In one story, ten bridesmaids went outside to await the arrival of the groom and his attendants. Half of the bridal party eventually ran short of lamp oil, missed the torchlight procession, and got locked out of the wedd

When a rich young man asked Jesus how to gain eternal life, Jesus said to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. All of that seemed like too much to ask! On the other hand, Saint Peter pointed out how much the Disciples had already given up, and Jesus said the rewards far exceed such sacrifices. Of course, the motivation—love of God and neighbor—mattered. In a parable, workers who had put in a full day in a landowner’s vineyard griped because late hires who worked for only an hour received the same pay. Another tale descr

Adults often commend self-reliance. Jesus liked the humility of children, who readily accept help with the many things they cannot do for themselves. Some Pharisees used Mosaic law regarding marriage in an attempt to trip up Jesus. Even people who try to abide by the Lord’s teachings sometimes get misled. With sensitivity, people of faith can help to bring them back. If talking one-to-one fails, the Lord suggested involvement of another person or two. When Jesus said that God grants anything for which two people have prayed, it goes without s

In the Old Testament, the hero of the Book of Daniel received God’s promise of freedom from Babylonian captivity and experienced spectacular visions of the Father, heaven, and the Son of Man (Jesus). Later, the Disciples Peter, James, and John witnessed the Transfiguration of the Lord, giving them a glimpse of Jesus in His heavenly glory. Scripture also depicts Jesus’ humanity. When a Canaanite woman begged Jesus to cure her daughter, the Lord mimicked others’ wronghearted belief that helping her would seem like throwing food meant for ch

Martha confirmed her belief in Jesus as the Son of God before the Lord raised Lazarus, her brother, from the dead. Goodness and evil in the world will get sorted out, like wheat and weeds growing together until harvesttime, or like saleable and scrawny fish caught in the same net. Desiring heaven entails giving our all. Jesus compared the mindset to a merchant who sells everything to buy one rare pearl. In Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth, people knew Him as the son of Mary and the local carpenter. They remained skeptical, despite miraculous works