Category: Bible Study

“Distressed at this…” –Matthew 26:22 The apostles were deeply distressed that Jesus’ betrayer was seated in their midst at the Last Supper. However, Jesus was not distressed, although hours later in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus “began to experience sorrow and distress” (see Mt 26:37). Yet, in the presence of His betrayer, Jesus was calmly in control of the situation. Jesus does things to instruct His disciples, and also us. He’s trying to teach them, and Judas, how we should respond in the presence of our enemies, and that the appropriate response is mercy. Jesus reaches out to Judas with...

“Lord, who is he?” –John 13:25 Jesus had just announced to His disciples at the Last Supper that one of His twelve apostles would betray Him (Jn 13:21). “The disciples looked at one another, puzzled as to whom He could mean” (Jn 13:22). This is remarkable. These men had been together for three years. Although these men knew each other’s strengths and weaknesses thoroughly, they were puzzled as to which of them might be a betrayer. James and John had asked Jesus earlier to elevate them above the others. The rest became indignant. Jesus often had to remind them to...

“Here is my Servant Whom I uphold, My Chosen One with Whom I am pleased, upon Whom I have put My Spirit.” –Isaiah 42:1 Jesus comes to us this Holy Week “not crying out, not shouting, not making His voice heard in the street. A bruised reed He shall not break, and a smoldering wick He shall not quench” (Is 42:2-3). Jesus comes quietly and gently. Jesus calls us to respond to Him this Holy Week as did Mary of Bethany. He wants us to passionately, boldly, and extravagantly throw ourselves at His feet and anoint Him with the perfume...

“This is My body to be given for you.” –Luke 22:19 For love of you, Jesus gave His “back to those who beat” Him (Is 50:6). For love of you, Jesus did not shield His face “from buffets and spitting” (Is 50:6). For love of you, Jesus obediently accepted “even death, death on a cross!” (Phil 2:8) Jesus suffered and died for love of you! Almost everyone believes Jesus died on a cross. This is a matter of historical record. Well over a billion people have said they believe Jesus died on a cross for love of humanity. Yet how...

“Yes, he is our father in the sight of God in Whom he believed.” –Romans 4:17 God has a wonderful plan of salvation (see Eph 1:9-10). Abraham was an important part of that plan. “He is father of us all” (Rm 4:16). David also had an important part in God’s plan, for from his family came Jesus, the Messiah (2 Sm 7:12ff). We all have special parts in God’s plan, and it’s important to know our parts (Col 1:9) and those of others. For example, St. Joseph’s part in God’s plan was to be the foster-father of Jesus and husband...