Tagged: Bible Study

“You have drawn near…to Jesus, the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood which speaks more eloquently than that of Abel.” –Hebrews 12:22, 24 Pope John Paul II has taught: “This blood, which flows from the pierced side of Christ on the Cross (cf Jn 19:34), ‘speaks more graciously’ than the blood of Abel; indeed, it expresses and requires a more radical ‘justice,’ and above all it implores mercy, it makes intercession for the brethren before the Father (cf Heb 7:25), and it is the source of perfect redemption and the gift of new life” (The Gospel...

“Do not disdain the discipline of the Lord.” –Hebrews 12:5 When many of today’s Christians hear about the discipline of the Lord, they think of getting up early for Mass, being faithful to daily prayer and Bible reading, fasting, and persevering in a commitment. When the writer of Hebrews thought of discipline, he thought of Christians having their blood shed (Heb 12:4) and being martyred. The people to whom the book of Hebrews was addressed also knew discipline to be public insult and trial, imprisonment, and the confiscation of their possessions by the government (Heb 10:33-34). Our disciplines seem to...

” ‘If I just touch His clothing,’ she thought, ‘I shall get well.’ ” —Mark 5:28   A woman who was hemorrhaging touched Jesus. According to Jewish law, this made Jesus unclean (cf Lv 15:25, 27). Instead, His touch made the woman healed and whole (Mk 5:29ff). Touching Jesus is unlike touching anyone else in the world. Jesus reached out to touch and take the hand of a dead, twelve-year-old girl (Mk 5:41). According to Jewish law, this made Jesus unclean (see Nm 19:11). Instead, Jesus’ touch raised the girl from the dead (Mk 5:42). No one else’s touch can...

“For my eyes have witnessed Your saving Deed displayed for all the peoples to see: a revealing Light to the Gentiles.” —Luke 2:30-32 Today, throughout the world, the Church proclaims that Jesus is the Light to the nations and the Glory of Israel (Lk 2:32). However, “the Light came into the world, but men loved darkness rather than Light because their deeds were wicked” (Jn 3:19). Thus, Jesus was and is a “Sign of contradiction” for “the downfall and the rise of many in Israel” (see Lk 2:34). The message of today’s feast day, the Presentation of Jesus, is highly...

“I have no desire to place restrictions on you, but I do want to promote what is good, what will help you to devote yourselves entirely to the Lord.” —1 Corinthians 7:35 We must accept certain restrictions if we wish to totally commit our lives to the Lord. Gospel poverty, celibacy, a large family, a faithful marriage, a demanding ministry — all restrict us significantly. However, any decision or commitment restricts us. Any successful athlete, business person, or celebrity has placed severe restrictions on themselves. How much more willing should we be to restrict ourselves out of love for the...