ArchivesTag : faith
And the crooked shall be made straight
In the fifteenth year of the reign of emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, “The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’” Luke 3, 1-6; reading for December 6, the second Sunday of Advent.
Full StoryI am the work of his hands
“From that point on, after a short period of intense reflection and prayer I received a consolation from the Lord that I was the work of his hands, and that nothing he had created was damaged or tainted with shame. Like a sign that a teacher during high school had hanging in his classroom proclaimed, “GOD DON’T MAKE NO JUNK!” And ever since then, I’ve decided to officially agree to disagree with the leaders of the church on the issue of homosexuality and the legalization of same-sex marriage….”
Full StoryA coming out story, in the Gospel
They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go: your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10; 46-52. Gospel for Sunday, 25 October.
Full StoryOn atheism, faith and freedom
The only genuine argument against the existence of God is the pervasive reality of suffering. This is a mystery in which, whoever we are, like it or not, we must all participate – but believers have the advantage because they find freedom in prayer.
Full StoryOur Scandalous Messiah
He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. (Gospel for Sunday, 5 July)
Full Story
