Category: Bible Study

BASIC NEEDS?

“For when he dies, he shall take none of it; his wealth shall not follow him down.” —Psalm 49:18 According to Sirach in the Old Testament, “life’s prime needs are water, bread, and clothing, a house, too, for decent privacy” (Sir 29:21). The New Testament may indicate that the basic needs of human beings have been reduced by Jesus’ coming (see Lk 9:58), for “if we have food and clothing we have all that we need” (1 Tm 6:8). Basic needs, according to the Bible, are very different from what most people today call basic needs. Today, in industrialized countries,...

TRUTH OR THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNBRIDLED SELFISHNESS

“God’s wisdom is vindicated by all who accept it.” —Luke 7:35 In our secular humanistic society, some people promote tolerance to the point of permissiveness. To do this, they must contradict themselves and be intolerant of those believing in objective, absolute truth, who in charity must oppose permissiveness. So secular humanists have problems with our statement that Jesus is the only Savior (see Acts 4:12) and the only Way to the Father (see Jn 14:6). Secular humanists get nervous when we say that not all religions are the same and that the Church is “the pillar and bulwark of truth”...

THE VISITATION OF JESUS

“God has visited His people.” —Luke 7:16 In yesterday’s Gospel reading, Jesus healed by responding to the centurion’s request made in faith. In today’s Gospel, Jesus takes the initiative to heal. No one requested healing from Him; no one seemed aware of His presence until He stepped forward to raise the dead man (Lk 7:12ff). It is Jesus’ nature to heal, to take initiative, to visit His people. The people of Naim spoke rightly when they said that “God has visited His people” (Lk 7:16). The Son of God came down from heaven to earth to bless, heal, deliver, and...

HANDS UP!

“In every place the men shall offer prayers with blameless hands held aloft.” —1 Timothy 2:8 “Hear the sound of my pleading, when I cry to You, lifting up my hands toward Your holy shrine.” —Psalm 28:2 When a police officer arrests someone, he or she often commands the suspect to put their hands up. Uplifted hands are a sign of surrender. In our relationship with God, uplifted hands likewise are a sign of surrender. Humble surrender is the perfect posture before God for prayer and petition (Ps 141:2; 2 Mc 3:20). At Mass, the priest often raises his hands...

THE CANCER HARDEST TO GET

“While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was deeply moved. He ran out to meet him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.” —Luke 15:20 Unforgiveness is like cancer. If we don’t “get it all,” it will eventually kill us. Therefore, we should focus on the person we are least willing to forgive. Sometimes the “worst offenders” are our worst problem (see 1 Tm 1:15). We need to be willing to accept God’s grace to forgive the cruelest murderers, rapists, and terrorists. Only by the grace of Jesus can we...