Nicodemus holds Jesus in high esteem and wants to understand more, but not too much to compromise his position as chief Pharisee, so he goes to him at night. First surprise: the Jesus who commands “let your yes mean yes” respects Nicodemus’ dread, does not get lost in the confines of his little consistency, but…
In the center of the Gospel of Mark, we reach a mountain of light; as in a diptych, the first part of his booklet before the mountain recounts marvelous miracles with the scent of Godly love, and the second part, starting here, draws the other face of the Nazarene, He is the Son of the…
The Spirit pressed Jesus into the desert, and he remained there for forty days, tempted by Satan. The temptation? A choice between two loves. Temptation asks you to select the compass, the north star for your heart. If you don’t desire, you don’t live, at least not with a whole heart. God speaks to you…
In comes a leper, a desperate man who has lost everything: home, employment, friends, hugs, dignity, and it seems even God. This man is decaying while alive; for society, he is a sinner, rejected by God and chastised with leprosy. He approaches Jesus but knows that he mustn’t; he can’t; the law imposes absolute isolation…
Jesus had a way with heaven. People were amazed at his teaching because he was “a voice that blossoms;” while listening, we became disarmed. And the reason: because he taught with authority. Jesus is authoritative because he is credible; in him, message and messenger coincide—he says what he is, and he is what he says.…
The Gospel contrasts silence and proclamation: John the Baptist’s voice has been shushed in prison, but Jesus shakes Capernaum’s streets and seashore with a phrase reminiscing our Ash Wednesday: the Kingdom of God is here. Repent and believe in the Gospel. Jesus will never theorize the Kingdom; he makes it palpable and blossoming from his…
At noon on a hot day, the mood is calm and serene among three characters: a sharp-eyed John the Baptist and two inquisitive disciples who long for the next step after John, the greatest prophet of the age, indicated God was not far but among us. Suddenly, the prophet’s shout pierced nature’s murmurs: Behold the…
Epiphany highlights wise men who sought God, leaving comfort to follow a resounding prophet’s voice, revealing words like Isaiah’s “Rise, your light has come,” so they go after the source of real life. Rise, lift your eyes, and take a moment to gaze upwards and around you. Look for a narrow opening, a corner of…
A young couple embarks on a sacred journey to the Holy City of Jerusalem; they have prepared a small offering from their scarce resources: Two turtle doves will be presented in honor of their firstborn, the most precious treasure in the world. Upon arrival at the Lord’s house and crossing the threshold, the Lord meets…
The opening statement of our Sunday Gospel introduces a list of seven names: Gabriel, God, Galilee, Nazareth, Joseph, David, and Mary. Seven, the number precisely of totality, because what is about to happen will involve all of history, the depths of heaven, and all the perennial swarming of life. A countercultural Gospel: for the first…