Category: Verse for the day

HIS BURDEN IS LIGHT (MT 11:30)

“All of us, gazing on the Lord’s glory with unveiled faces, are being transformed from glory to glory into His very image by the Lord Who is the Spirit.” —2 Corinthians 3:18 The biblical word “glory” can be translated as “weight,” a covering heavy enough to be felt. The Israelites sang of the Lord: “He has covered Himself in glory” (Ex 15:1, JB). As we bask in the Lord’s glory and worship Him “with unveiled faces,” for example, in Eucharistic adoration, we are clothed in God’s light (2 Cor 3:18; 4:6). We are covered with the weight of God’s glory,...

TEACH THE OLD TESTAMENT

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law and the Prophets.” –Matthew 5:17 When the Bible speaks of “the Law and the Prophets,” it refers to the Old Testament. Peter preached from the Old Testament on the day of Pentecost, and three thousand people received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:17, 25, 34). “The ministry of the Spirit” (2 Cor 3:8) began by the preaching of the ministry of the Law and the Prophets. Jesus’ Transfiguration featured the Law, represented by Moses, and the Prophets, represented by Elijah (Lk 9:30). When Jesus was transfigured into a greater glory...

WATCHING THE HIGH LIGHTS

“A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” –Matthew 5:14 Once we commit our lives to Jesus and let our light shine publicly, there’s no turning back. Our lives can no longer be hidden (Mt 5:14) once we step out in faith as witnesses for Jesus on the job, in the neighborhood, in the public arena, etc. When we come into the light to let the world know that we live in Jesus, the Truth (Jn 3:21; 14:6), people are now watching us to see whether we will falter or stay faithful to Jesus. If we let our light...

SHOCK WAVES

“How blest are…” –Matthew 5:3 When Jesus gathered His disciples around Him and began to teach them the Beatitudes, what were His disciples expecting? Jesus had called these men to join His kingdom (see Mt 4:22ff). He took them on tour with Him where they saw His amazing power to heal the masses and bring deliverance from the evil one (see Mt 4:23-24). The disciples saw Jesus’ popularity and ability to draw great crowds (see Mt 4:25). When Jesus took them up the mountainside, they possibly anticipated becoming VIPs in His kingdom. They may have expected power, prestige, and money....

DOCTOR’S ORDERS

“I am certain that his eyes will be opened. Smear the fish gall on them. This medicine will make the cataracts shrink and peel off from his eyes.” –Tobit 11:7-8 Tobiah healed his father of blindness by applying fish gall to his eyes and peeling off the cataracts (Tb 11:12-13). Hezekiah was healed of a terminal illness when Isaiah applied a poultice of figs (Is 38:21). Paul gave Timothy medical advice to take some wine for a stomach ailment (1 Tm 5:23). The Bible approves of medicine (Wis 1:14) and commands us to hold the physician in honor (Sir 38:1)....