The word beatitude is synonymous with the word “blessed.” In the Beatitudes in the Gospel According to Luke 6:20–26 (NABRE), we encounter Jesus describing the conditions that need to be met in order for a person to be blessed. The idea of being blessed is common to Christianity, so much …

The Gospel According to Luke 5:1–11 (NABRE) describes Jesus’ call of his disciples and includes the wonderful passage: “from now on you will be catching men,” which sometimes is translated elsewhere as “I will make you fishers of men.” While the English pun fishers of men is clever and catchy, …

This week we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord, which commemorates the occasion in which Jesus was taken to Jerusalem to be dedicated in the Temple according to the Law. This precedent originated with the tenth plague in Egypt in which God doomed all the firstborn and …

The Church annually celebrates Sunday of the Word of God in late January to reflect on the extraordinary gift of God’s word. The Bible or the Scriptures make up a central part of Christian worship because they uniquely reveal God to us through God’s own inspiration. While these writings are …

The Gospel According to John 2:1–11 (NABRE) features the wedding at Cana and an odd exchange between Jesus and his mother. In this exchange, Mary comes to Jesus with a problem, Jesus seems to be dismissive of her concern, and then ultimately he does what she asks with no further …

In recent years, there’s been considerable controversy over the vocabulary we as practicing Christians should use during this season. Should we say “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” or, more confusingly, go with the British Happy Christmas? The concern over our seasonal greeting is well-intended. In the midst of an ever …

In the Letter to the Philippians 4:6 (NABRE), Paul urges his readers to “have no anxiety,” a powerful statement, though this translation may not capture the full spirit of the original intent. Anxiety involves a fear response and bears much relationship to fear. In that context, this statement seems similar …

In the Gospel According to Luke 3:1–4 (NABRE) and the Gospel According to Matthew 3:1–12 (NABRE), Jesus’ cousin John preaches the importance of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. In the system of the Old Covenant, forgiveness occurred when something of value was traded in payment for a debt that …

The Book of Jeremiah 33:16 (NABRE) contains a promise of safety and security in the land. It often can seem to us as Christians that such security is impossible. The model of the early Church of suffering and martyrdom for Christ suggests anything but security, and yet this concept is …

The Letter to the Hebrews 10:14 (NABRE) contains an important description of Jesus’ priesthood: “For by one offering he has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated.” There’s a fascinating view of the difference between perfection and consecration as well as an interesting breakdown of the timing of each. …