St. Bartholomew – John 1:43-51 “Seeing is believing.” “What you see is what you get.” These commonly-expressed sentiments illustrate how much value we tend to put on the ability to see things, with our eyes, in our determination of what is true and what is real. Today is the feast day of Nathanael Bartholomew, one…
John 16:23-33 Over the past several years, the phenomenon of Harry Potter has captured the imagination of a large number of America’s children. And I suppose not just children. Harry and his friends are likeable, up-and-coming sorcerers. As such, they always try to come up with the proper magical incantation for any situation, by which…
John 10:22-30 On Good Shepherd Sunday, we are reminded that Jesus is indeed our “Good Shepherd,” and that we are his sheep. Since we are his sheep, he watches over us and protects us. He leads us to green pastures and still waters. He guides us to places of peace and safety. These “pastoral” images…
John 19:31-37 The most common cause of death for a victim of a Roman crucifixion was not the effusion of blood, but was a form of suffocation. Because of the way in which the arms of the victim were outstretched, fluid would begin to build up in his lungs. After a while, then, in order…
John 2:1-11 It’s often the case that pretty much the only time you see certain distant relatives or old friends is at funerals and weddings. Usually, when you do have a chance to visit with these people at an event like this, you are glad that you had that chance. You both may also agree…
John 8:31-36 During the middle ages, in the centuries before the Reformation, the institutions of the church slipped more and more into a theology that was largely oriented around the status and presumed power of the ordained clergy. So, for example, the marks of the church were, basically, the clergy. A medieval Christian was expected…
In the 14th chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, Jesus says this to his disciples: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” No normal person enjoys conflict. But…
John 6:22-35 Please listen with me to a reading from the sixth chapter of the Gospel according to St. John, beginning at the 22nd verse. On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His…
John 16:23-33 In today’s Gospel from St. John, Jesus says: “Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you. Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” This is one of many passages in…