Jesus “asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Christ, the Son…
A Canaanite woman cries out to Jesus, “’My daughter is tormented by a demon’. But Jesus did not say a word. His disciples said, ‘Send her away, for she keeps calling out.’ Jesus then said to her, ‘I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’ But the woman said,…
The disciples were on a boat “being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.” Jesus spoke to them, “Take courage, it is I;…
“Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother, John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them… and his clothes became white as light” The heroes of ancient days made themselves gods; Sumer’s god-king Gilgamesh, Iran’s god-king Mazda, Egypt’s god-king Pharaoh. Ancient Israel’s deity says to their god-king…
Jesus speaks of great purpose and focus in the parables he tells this Sunday, “The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field which a person finds… and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant…
“Jesus spoke to the crowds in parables.” He told one of “a man who sowed good seeds in his field.” But “while everyone was asleep his enemy came and sowed weeds through the wheat.” Listeners are like the characters in the parable, uncertain of what to do with people who cause problems, “’Do you…
Jesus is a poor itinerant preacher traveling among poor people “to preach in their towns.” He is in touch with nature for his teaching – “seeds” and “sheep,” “serpents and doves,” “reeds in the wind.” He learns his friend, John the Baptist, a poor settled preacher, also in touch with nature, has been put…
Jesus said to his apostles: “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” “And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink… will surely be received.” Are we wise enough to receive people – their goodness, their humor and…
Jeremiah is afraid as he is being terrorized and prays for vengeance from his Lord Yahweh of Armies, “I hear the whisperings of many: ‘Terror on every side!” “O Lord of Hosts… let me witness the vengeance you take on them.” Jesus is not afraid though he too is being terrorized. He prays for…