Category: Bible Reading & Meditation

“This Child is destined to be the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, a sign that will be opposed — and you yourself shall be pierced with a sword.” —Luke 2:34-35 This feast of Our Lady of Sorrows will be one of the greatest days in our lives if we simply obey the Lord. However, obedience is very difficult for us humans because of the world, our fallen human nature, and the devil. Nevertheless, we can, like Jesus, learn obedience from what we suffer (Heb 5:8), if we suffer in the pattern of Jesus’ death (Phil 3:10). With...

“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” —John 3:14 When the Israelites looked at the bronze serpent mounted on a pole, they were healed and saved from death (Nm 21:9). Zechariah prophesied and John quoted in reference to Jesus’ death: “They shall look on Him Whom they have pierced” (Jn 19:37; Zec 12:10). When people looked at Jesus on the cross, many of them believed in Him as Savior, Lord, and God (see Jn 3:15; Mk 15:39). When we look at a crucifix, a representation of Jesus crucified,...

“Furthermore, God has set up in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, healers, assistants, administrators, and those who speak in tongues.” —1 Corinthians 12:28 Does your church have what it takes? Are you working according to your spiritual gifts as listed in 1 Cor 12:28? First, we need apostles to establish the Church and to give it the world vision of God’s kingdom. Second come the prophets, those gifted to speak God’s personal “now” word to us. Third, teachers must be raised up to teach us how to live in Christ. This is no academic...

“I am not worthy to have You come under my roof.” —Luke 7:6, RSV-CE Before receiving Jesus in Holy Communion, the Church leads us to pray: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof.” This is not putting ourselves down but expressing the greatness of our awesome, all-holy God. When we realize God’s majestic glory, we conclude that He doesn’t owe us anything. Thus, we see life as a gift and a privilege. We are not worthy to pray even for a moment, and to have God’s permission to pray always is shocking (see Lk 18:1)....

“The son grew angry at this and would not go in.” —Luke 15:28 The parable of the prodigal son is not meant primarily for the younger, sinful son but rather for the older, righteous son. Jesus specifically addresses the parable to “the Pharisees and scribes” (Lk 15:2-3). Jesus is trying to teach people who go to Church, who pray, who read this publication, who have never left the loving house of the Father (see Lk 15:31). It’s easy to forget that most of us resemble the audience Jesus addressed more than we resemble the sinful son. The eldest son is...