The Pharisees do not so much care about people as they care about people obeying their laws. Jesus demonstrates care and cares that the Pharisees do not care. Jesus speaks about their lack of care to their face, “the hardness of your hearts.” Jesus then notices a hardness of hearts in his disciples, “People…
Mary “traveled to the hill country… and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit, cried out” “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” Mary’s response shows the radical nature of such joyful union, “God has…
“A large crowd followed Jesus, because they saw the healings he was performing on the sick.” When he “saw the large crowd coming to him, he said to Philip, ‘Where can we get enough food for them to eat?’” “Philip answered him, Two hundred days wages worth of food would not be enough for…
Jesus directs disciples onto a boat to “cross to the other side.” But “a violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat.” While “Jesus was in the stern, asleep” the disciples were afraid, “Do you not care that we are perishing.” Jesus woke up and said to the wind and sea,…
“When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together.” “Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Spirit.” There gathered a large crowd of “Parthians, Medes and Elamites, inhabitants of…
Jesus tells a story of people entrusted with a man’s livelihood. The man is going on a journey and entrusts to three people money of varying amounts. Two put it to good use. When the man returns, they give back what they had been entrusted with and so much more. But the third man,…
Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount is referred to as The Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are read every All Saints Day. They exemplify the active witness of disciples. Given that active witness, it is odd that the Beatitudes are inaccurately translated into the passive voice. For example, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,…
Jesus tells a parable to “the chief priests” about the “Kingdom of God,” symbolized as a vineyard. Two sons are asked to “work in the vineyard.” One says “Yes,” but does not work. Jesus likens that son to the priests. The other says “No,” but does work. Jesus likens that son who has a…