A Psychologist looks at Scripture

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In this podcast today I will be focusing on the dreams that Joseph had.  We don’t have much else on St. Joseph.  We don’t hear much about him after the birth of Jesus.  He is mentioned in the story of the finding in the temple when Jesus was 12 years old but that is it.  We learn that Joseph was a dreamer. There are four dreams recorded, outlining what   Joseph experienced.   In Matthew 1:16, 18-20, an angel appears in the dream instructing Joseph to take Mary as his wife, in Matthew 2:13-14 Joseph dreams tha...

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John was the Hearld of the Messiah.  His role was simple, increase the awareness of the people of the coming Messiah.  In the Gospel of John 3:30, John the Baptist says, "He must increase, but I must decrease," referring to Jesus Christ. This expresses John's understanding that his own role and influence were meant to diminish as Jesus' ministry and prominence grew. John’s statement reflects humility and the acknowledgment that Jesus must be exalted above all else.  I am curious why Jesus had a herald, someone to prepare for him.  Did Jesus need someon...

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I focus on information from the Scriptures and try to figure out what likely was the back story.  I will attempt to explain more in detail as we unpack the life of John the Baptist.  I am very careful in using tradition and historical context to gain insight into biblical times.  Often tradition may have a political agenda and may not always be factual.  For example, Christian tradition holds that Herodias, fearing John might come back to life if body and head were together, had John’s head buried in Herod’s palace in Jerus...

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I recognize that staying alert can be exhausting at times and there may be times when taking a break would be appropriate.  I highly recommend developing skills to reflect on our lives when we might not have been as alert as we needed to be.  Retreats, Devotions such as the Daily Examination of conscience, a prayerful reflection developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola may be helpful.   Other examples are spiritual direction, contemplative prayer, Lectio Divina which is a meditative reading and contemplation of Scripture that draws attention to God's word through slow, reflective rea...

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This Gospel describes some of the last moments of the life of Jesus on Earth.  The Gospel seems more appropriate for Lent and Easter.  Jesus says very little.  He is dying on the cross, he is dismissed by the leaders who are responsible for his death.  The most interesting conversation is between the two condemned men who are being crucified with Jesus.  We do not know what their crimes were.  In those days it did not take much to be condemned to death.  We know nothing about the criminals. The two criminals take very di...

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Jesus warns us that we will be betrayed not just by anyone but by people who are close to us, family members.  Experiencing betrayal is unfortunately more common than we would like.  Being betrayed by those who are close to us is especially hurtful.  Betrayal undermines our ability to trust.  Have you ever experienced betrayal?

Betrayal is a prevalent theme in the Gospels.  From the moment Jesus was born there was betrayal.  I direct you to Matthew 2: 1-12 where the wisemen who have tracked the star to Bethlehem ask King Herod where...

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Todays Gospel  is quite different from most others.  In this Gospel we have Jesus aggressively driving the money changes and sellers out of the temple.  At first glance it is quite different from Jesus’ usual way.  There are no immediate teachings, healings or witty dialogue.  It is clear that Jesus is passionate about his faith, and he is not willing to compromise.  Professor David Landry of the University of St. Thomas and many other biblical scholars suggest that "the importance of the episode is signalled by the fact that within a week of this inc...

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There are three stories in the Gospels where Jesus raises someone from the dead.  We have the story of Lazarus being raised (John 11:38-44), Jarius’ 12-year-old daughter being raised as recorded in (Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40 and Matthew 9:18-26) and now in today’s Gospel we hear about Jesus raising the son of a widow in a town called Nain.  What is interesting in this Gospel is how few facts we have about the story.  In the two previous resurrection stories we have names, and we are made aware of some background information, and we are...

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So, we overhear the prayers of two very different men.  One man, the Pharisees has done a lot and includes what he has done in a list expecting I guess to impress God.  He was doing okay until he compared himself to the tax collector.  The second man, the Tax collector has said little but admits to his wrongdoing and is truly sorry.  It must have come as a shock to the first listeners to this parable.  There are several points to this story.  Appearances can be deceiving.   It’s important not to rush to j...

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In the Gospel of Luke 18:6-8 Jesus is teaching his disciples to pray always.  He uses a short parable of a woman seeking justice from a corrupt judge.  The woman successfully hassles the judge, wearing him down to finally getting the justice she was seeking.  Jesus makes the interesting point that how much more will God grant what we ask if only we remain steadfast in our prayers.  This raises many questions.  Why does God often delay in answering our prayers?   I seriously doubt that God enjoys watching us wait.  I wonder then if ther...

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In today’s Gospel we read about a healing, specifically the healing of ten people with leprosy.  Although this account is about people getting healed of a dreaded disease it is  what happens after the healing that is most significant.  Let’s take a step back to help put this Gospel in perspective.  Leprosy or now known as Hansen’s Disease was a dreaded disease back in biblical times.  There was no cure, and the method of transmission was not well understood.  Individuals suspected of having leprosy were shunned from their family and community. ...

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In today’s Gospel Jesus is asked by his disciples on how to increase their faith.  It looks like the disciples are finally understanding the ministry of Jesus.  Remember the story of the rich young man found in Matthew 19:16 who asks Jesus what does he need to do to inherit eternal life?  It was a fair question but where is the focus?   The rich young man was focussed on getting what he wants.  The question on how to increase one’s faith is focussed on deepening the relationship between Jesus and the disciples.  That quest...

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In today’s Gospel, Jesus shares a profoundly interesting parable. I would like to examine it further and in detail.  In the parable, Jesus introduces the rich man, we do not know his name, but he wears purple, the color of royalty and feasts, not just on special holidays but every day.  We then learn about Lazarus, a poor man.  Unlike the rich man, Lazarus has a name.  We would expect people to describe the rich man as the one having the name, but we know Jesus frequently reversed social order to make a poin...

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Today's Gospel highlights the importance of consistency and faithfulness, even in the small things. I find Jesus’ teaching about serving two masters particularly thought-provoking. Often, it feels like we have more than two masters competing for our time and energy. From my perspective, many people drift away from their faith not out of rejection of God, but because other responsibilities and distractions take priority. Family, career, and community are just a few of the demands that require our attention. While dedicating ourselves to these is certainly valuable, there are additional aspects of our li...

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Today’s Gospel from John focusses on a conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus.  To give you some important background information, Nicodemus was a Pharisee.  Scripture scholars remind us that despite the negative portrayal of Pharisees in the Gospels not all the Pharisees were against Jesus.  Yes, there was a small group that were against Jesus and looked for every opportunity to discredit him.  But, there were a few like Nicodemus who were drawn to Jesus’s message and wanted to understand his ministry.  Of course, there was likely a larger group who were quite ind...

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For someone not familiar with Jesus’ style of teaching this Gospel would be shocking.  I suspect the Gospel would be shocking for the first listeners. It completely contradicts the 5th commandment about honouring one’s parents Exodus 20:12.  While there are no actual scriptural references from Jesus there are Gospel references of Jesus showing love to his parents. In Luke 2:48-51, Jesus as a boy shows respect and honour to Mary and Joseph, his earthly parents by returning to them after being found in the temple and submitting to their authority. In John 19:26-27, from t...

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Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus accepting an invitation to dine with one of the leading Pharisees. During this gathering, Jesus shares a teaching inspired by His observations that challenges the conventional understanding of social status. He emphasizes a reversal of worldly status through humility. But what exactly did Jesus mean by humility?

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Luke’s Gospel is very typical of Jesus style.  We have read events where Jesus takes an accepted view, custom, or perception and reinterprets into something different.  Often when Jesus is asked a question, he invites the questioner into a deeper meaning.  What exactly did Jesus mean when he talks about the narrow gate.  Let’s look further.  Jesus asks if many will be saved.  Likely behind that question is the more personal question, Will I be saved?  The question is a result of the individual’s uncertainty and maybe a bit of fear.  Unfort...

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This passage might seem surprising—even unsettling. Here, we don’t see the serene, peaceful Jesus, but instead a passionate figure intensely devoted to his mission and faith. I believe Jesus is speaking metaphorically when he refers to fire—using it to symbolize the fervor and intensity he expects in our faith lives. He was not passionate about a lukewarm faith. In Revelation 3:14-16, Jesus rebukes the church in Laodicea precisely for their half-hearted devotion.

Jesus knew faith wasn’t always going to bring peace. History is full of conflicts between religiou...

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In this Gospel we learn that the Father is pleased to give you the kingdom, this is incredible!  The kingdom is given, not earned but a free gift.   This is not the only such reference,  in Luke 13:29 we read that "people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God,".  Jesus says this before his death and resurrection.  God knows that love cannot be forced nor develop in fear.  This is the Good News!  

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We have someone asking Jesus to help settle his case, to judge the merits of an inheritance dispute.  Jesus does not take the bait and makes it clear to the individual that he is not here to judge.  This is a valuable reminder to people who so often see God as one who judges and punishes.  Jesus is very clear about his role.  

Jesus tells a parable of a man with a bountiful harvest who decides to store his grain and live well for a few years.  No one can blame him f...

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The disciples of Jesus note that John the Baptist has taught his disciples to pray.  They had likely seen Jesus pray or go off to a lonely place to pray so they are curious.  Jesus gives them direction and insight into prayer.  These “instructions” have become a prayer, the well know  Lord’s Prayer or the Our Father. 

Prayer is very important for growth in our spiritual life.  Before I talk about prayer, I invite you to reflect on why you want to pray.  My second question is related; how do you know that...

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Mary, Martha and their brother Lazarus were friends of Jesus and they are frequently mentioned in the Gospels.  We don’t have any record of anythng that Lazarus said but he is one of the three people in the Gospels that Jesus raised from the dead. The biblical record identifies these three explicit resurrection miracles performed by Jesus before his own resurrection. 

The story of Mary and Martha has often been used to justify the position that contemplation is more important than service.  I am not sure that is the most accur...

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In today’s Gospel Jesus is asked by a lawyer what must he do to inherit eternal life.  The question is direct and honest, unlike many of the questions of the Pharisees and Sadducees that are often multi layered and are intended to trap Jesus rather learn from him.  Jesus answers directly by asking him about the Law.  This was understandable as the man was a lawyer.  The man goes further and asks Jesus who is his neighbour.  Jesus answers him with a parable that has become one of the most well-known of all his...

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This story is unusual because we have two distinct parts.  The first part focusses on the advice Jesus gives his disciples and the second part focusses upon their return.    When the 72 return,, they are rejoicing after what appears to be a most successful mission..  They are excited about what they saw.   It is noteworthy that the first thing the 72 disciples share is about their power.  The evil spirits were subservient to them.  Jesus redirects them and points out that they should be more excited as their names are listed in heaven.  Yes, its power ov...

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Who is Jesus for you?

Jesus asked this question to his disciples.  We all know by now that when Jesus asks a question, he already knows the answer and a teaching follows.  Today’s reading is no  exception.  Jesus asks his disciples “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”   Jesus gets a variety of answers, most people think he is a prophet who has resurrected from the dead.  Jesus responds with a new question and takes the questioning to a deeper level as He askes, “Who do YOU say that I am...

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Today, our podcast focusses on one of the multiplication of loaves miracles.  Luke begins describing the story with Jesus  healing those who needed to be cured.  It appears it’s the end of the day, so the disciples want to send the people into the villages to get something to eat and possibly seek lodging. 

Rather than sending the people away Jesus suggests that the disciples feed them.  This is a beautiful example of when the divine meets our earthly understanding.  

Everything for Jesus is a teachable moment.  The disciples...

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The opening section of this Gospel brings to mind 1 Corinthians 13:11, where Paul uses the metaphor of childhood to describe spiritual immaturity: “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put away childish things.” Spiritual immaturity refers to a stage in which a believer has not yet developed a mature understanding or practice of faith. It is characterized by a lack of discernment between sound doctrine and false teachings, as well as difficulty applying biblical truths in d...

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To help us understand the Holy Spirit, the reading begins by emphasizing God’s love for us—a recurring and familiar theme in John’s Gospel.

Love inherently involves vulnerability. The more deeply we love, the more at risk we are to being hurt. This vulnerability makes trust essential in any relationship. Trust can be given or earned, and violations of trust can sometimes be irreparable. Conversely, trust built through consistent caring and faithfulness strengthens relationships, though some may find it harder to build trust due to past wounds. 

The Gos...

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Jesus makes some incredible claims, and provides  signs of God’s presence amongst his followers, driving out demons, speaking new languages, picking up serpents, drinking poison and miraculous healings, only to name a few.  This passage reminds me of the dramatic style of teaching Jesus used to introject passion into his teachings.  Remember the scripture passage that speaks of "the dead burying  the dead" found in Luke 9:60. Do you remember the scripture passage that speaks of cutting off your hand if it causes you to sin that is found in Matthew 5:29-30 and Mark 9...

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Love is a central and recurring theme in John’s Gospel, and it has been a focus in previous episodes. Love lies at the core of Christian faith. However, I invite you to reflect on whether your image of God is one that is easy to love. Many identify as Christians out of a desire for salvation yet seeking salvation and loving God are not synonymous.

Concerns about salvation often reflect one’s understanding of God. The traditional concept of God demanding the death of His Son as a sacrificial atonement can...

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Jesus’ call to love is not easy, people are so afraid of being taken advantage of or they do not feel love for the person.  Is Jesus calling his followers to something they cannot achieve?  Are people who are loving more vulnerable to being taken advantage of?  Some people act as if they have a finite amount of love to give and so don’t love easily.  Rather than focussing on the challenge of loving, I want to focus on your attitudes and skills that may help you respond to Jesus’ call.  I can appreci...

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Jesus portrays shepherds as protectors and guides for the sheep.  Likely they served as metaphors of God’s protective and guiding nature.  I wonder if there is more here.  Perhaps the shepherd has a role to play in our faith.  We don’t see many shepherds in most western towns and cities.   When I think of shepherds, I think of individuals who knew and protected their sheep.  They were very interested in their welfare and wanted to see them grow into adults.  It seems that the modern-day shepherds are  what we call mentors today.  

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This teaching on leadership must have been revolutionary to the first listeners to this teaching.  Jesus addresses this in Mark 10:42-45, as Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”  The people were used to the brutality of the Roman occupiers and the contempt of m...

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Peace is not just an absence of conflict.  Lasting peace needs justice.  There are also several levels of peace.  There is peace between countries, communities, families and ultimately our own internal peace.  Most of us are not in a position to directly impact peace between countries but we can work for peace within our communities, our families and ultimately ourselves.  Are we at peace within ourselves?   What negatively impacts our personal peace.  Guilt,  fear, and trauma will undermine our peace.  Notice what I left out.  Anger.  Anger itself does not destroy peace.  What is anger?  H...

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This Gospel is one of the early resurrection stories.  We read about Mary of Magdala going to the tomb, knowing that she would not likely be able to go into the tomb because it would be blocked by a huge stone; but she went anyway.  She gets to the empty tomb and understandably believes the body has been taken away.  Later she would recognize Jesus.  Getting back to this story Peter, the leader and another disciple hurry to the tomb.  John the youngest does not go in and he respectfully waits until Peter goes...

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This Gospel is an account of the last meal Jesus had with his disciples.  The meal is better known as the last supper.  Soon Jesus' earthly mission will be over.  The disciples do not realize yet that this evening is going to take a very different turn.  

I wonder what Jesus was feeling.  We read that he was in agony in the garden but what was he feeling when he is having this last meal with his disciples?  Did he try to tell them, to leave hints as to what were his pl...

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Today’s Gospel is a teaching, Gospel.  Its also unusual.  In most instances the person seeks out Jesus or recognizes him before asking for something.  I suspect the woman in this story wanted to be anywhere else but there.   She was not only embarrassed but terrified.  Without Jesus’ intervention she faced a painful death.   She has a brief but powerful conversation with Jesus. And that is it!  We don’t know who this woman was.  What’s her story or what happened to her after this experience.  

What about the men who were prepared...

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Jesus describes a young man who wants adventure and asks for his share of his father’s estate.  After he receives his inheritance, he leaves and lives a carefree life.  I want to draw your attention to the fact that he did not earn the money he is spending, it is his father’s hard-earned money.  This would be a good time to pause and reflect on the many opportunities that we enjoyed but did not earn. 

 Coming back to the story we learn that initially the son did okay, but his fun d...

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In this Gospel Jesus talks about two situations where innocent people were killed.  Jesus articulates the thoughts of the people who believed that the people who were killed were not only responsible for their misfortunate but that their bad luck was likely a result of God punishing them.  Jesus challenges this “blaming the victim’ stance.   This theme, namely  that misfortune is a sign of sin is very clear in (John 9:1-23) where Jesus heals a blind man.  Before he does ,the disciples ask Jesus who sinned, was it the man or his parents that lead...

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This Podcast focusses on one of the most unusual Gospel passages of all the Gospels; the Transfiguration.  Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus in front of  Peter, James and John.  The event seems unexpected and following  the event the disciples are silent about the experience.  They don’t tell anyone.  How could they possibly explain to someone what they saw and then expect to be believed?  

Those that have experienced spiritual or even mystical experiences know the difficulty of trying to share and/or describe the experiences to someone.  Words don’t seem to be...

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We don’t know for sure what Jesus actually did while he was in the desert. In biblical times, going to the desert held significant spiritual, symbolic, and practical meanings. Here are some key aspects of its significance. The desert was often a place where individuals were prepared for their destinies. The desert offered solitude, which was conducive to reflection and prayer.  John the Baptist like so many others, used this solitude to prepare for his ministry.  This period allowed for spiritual growth and purification. The desert environment was harsh and so fostered a se...

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Jesus is calling his followers to be wise.  He gives a few tools on how to be wise.  The list is not complete.  What is wisdom?  Wisdom is correlated with intelligence but its not absolute.  I suspect you may know someone who is highly educated but not wise, often making the same mistake over and over again.  On the other hand, you may know someone else who may not have all the academic or educational credentials but nevertheless are considered to be   wise.  Wisdom is often associated with advanced age.  It is true, people wh...

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Christians are called to go beyond the bare minimum.  Let’s unpack this Gospel, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.  Bless those who curse you.  Tough words.  The basic message is Jesus telling the people that your actions should be based on your personal values not a reaction to someone else’s bad behavior.  The teaching is a call to freedom.  Sure, it hurts when someone mistreats you, this is especially true if that someone was someone you trusted.  Yes, they may deserve retribution but its not about them.  Yes, they an...

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The Beatitudes are not merely statements of happiness; they encapsulate profound spiritual truths about God's kingdom and our spiritual development. They highlight qualities such as humility, mercy, and a thirst for righteousness, promising future rewards for those who embody these traits. Consequently, the Beatitudes are foundational teachings outlining the ethical and spiritual framework for Christian spirituality. They can be found in Matthew 5:3-12, with notable differences between Matthew's and Luke's versions—Matthew includes eight Beatitudes while Luke lists only four and includes criticisms of the wealthy.

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The call of Peter and the other disciples illustrates God's invitation for us to follow Him. Despite his initial reluctance and desire to return home after a long night of fishing, Peter allows Jesus into his boat. This kind of openness is crucial for our own spiritual growth.

I want to emphasize the moment when Jesus asks Peter to lower his nets for a catch—this serves as both a literal task and a metaphor for spiritual growth. The saying "80% of success is showing up," attributed to Woody Allen the American fi...

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When Jesus was presented in the temple, it was likely an ordinary event among many similar presentations each week. However, Simeon and Anna's ability to perceive something extraordinary suggests that spirituality often eludes those who do not actively seek it. What insights did they possess that others lacked? This passage prompts us to consider whether God communicates with us through the mundane aspects of our daily lives.

It's noteworthy that neither Anna nor Simeon held any official position within the temple community; they were not leaders or figures of authority. This...

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During Sabbath services, it was customary for males to read from Scripture or the Torah. Jesus reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, which is significant because Isaiah made many prophecies about the Messiah.  The Gospel of Matthew speaks about how these prophecies are fulfilled.   This reading serves as a blueprint for Jesus’ ministry.   Even though Jesus is reading from the prophet Isisia  The reading  seems to be in  Jesus own words.  In fact, it appears that Jesus is reading his own mission statement.

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The Gospel today is about the first miracle that Jesus performed. It is unique. There are no healings, or obvious teachings. The teaching is actually rather subtle. Jesus makes wine for a wedding at the request or expectation of his mother. There are a few points that I want to draw your attention to because they are useful teachings about spirituality. The first is the amount of wine made, the six stone water jars contained 20 to 30 gallons each. That is approximately 120 to 360 gallons of wine in total.  That is a lot of wine!  Duration: 00:11:42

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In Luke’s Gospel we have a brief description of Jesus being baptized by his cousin, John the Baptist. The details are scarce. We don’t know why Jesus chose to participate in this ritual or how it impacted his ministry.  This story is problematic however, as this ritual was designed for sinners, why would Jesus who had not sinned be participating in this ritual? 

This is a good lesson for us in that while we may have the right to do something we ought to also  take into account  the impact t...

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In today’s Gospel the arrival of the Magi is noted.  This Gospel is full of symbolism about who Jesus would be.  Some biblical traditions list the Magi as kings and some traditions have even named them, Caspar (or Gaspar), Melchior, and Balthazar.  Likely, this naming is primarily derived from Western Christian tradition.  Its highly unlikely that three kings would have gone  into the desert alone without an entourage for protection.  Likely if three kings showed up in a small town everyone would soon know and King Herod would not have had  to rely on t...

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I like to do something special for Lent and Advent. Last Easter I set up an internet retreat. This Christmas season I want to talk about the spirituality of New Years Resolutions. I feel very strongly about this. I am surprised the Church doesn’t say more about New Years Resolutions.  I believe there is something spiritual happening when people at the end of the year look at their lives and make decisions about where they can do better or acknowledging where they are being held back.  In many cases they attempt to make...

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The Gospel today is quite different from our usual readings. It is a story from when Jesus was a twelve-year-old boy.  This Gospel story is likely every parent’s nightmare; having one of their children lost. I can hardly imagine what Mary and Joseph were going through during those 3 days of searching for their son, Jesus. It seems that Jesus knew early in his life or  might have had some insight into his true identity. The problem is that he did not share his plans with his parents when he decided to remain in J...

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In today’s podcast we have Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth.  There are several points in this Gospel I want to point out.  We have Mary who is pregnant herself going to help her cousin Elizabeth  .  Mary’s sense of service is obvious. 

We know that Elizabeth  was likely past childbearing years.  She was not able to have a child in a culture that expected women to have children, Many people  looked down on women who were childless.  Elizabeth   is not the only one from the Bible who struggled with infertility.  

Elizab...

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In this podcast from Luke, we hear more about John the Baptist.  John is giving advice to individuals who want to change their life to reflect their beliefs.  These individuals realize that their faith is not just practiced on holy days but will also impact their behavior at work and at home. 

There are a couple of key points that I want to draw your attention to.  When asked what to do John doesn’t say, pray more or sin less or give more money to the Temple.  Do you notice that al...

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In today’s podcast we are introduced to John also known as John the Baptist not to be confused with the apostle John, the beloved disciple.  John the Baptist was related to Jesus, his mother Elizabeth and Mary, the mother of Jesus were first cousins.  Likely John and Jesus knew each other growing up.  John is seen as the one prophesized by the great prophet Isaiah to prepare the people to receive the Messiah.  Matthew 3:1-3, Mark 1:2-3 and Luke 3:4-6.  The original prophecy is in Isaiah 40:3. 
I wonder if Jesus would have bee...

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We are encouraged to stand firm Lk 21:19 and be careful (Lk 21:34). These are valuable lessons for life, not just for coping with the end times but also applicable in the present moment.  I wonder if Jesus was talking about the end of the world or teaching us something about our spiritual lives.  

I wonder if Jesus is telling us to be resilient and be determined.  We are called to be intentional in our actions.  To be intentional requires us to chose to be so.  Much of our lives are on automatic pilot...

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Jesus is asked by Pontius Pilate if he is the king of the Jews.  Pilate is not talking about a heavenly kingdom but an earthly kingdom.  Pilate was not making an act of faith.  He wanted to know if Jesus was a political threat or not.  Jesus responds knowing that Pilate would not likely understand but encourages Pilate and the listeners to learn about God’s kingdom.  Pilate’s perspective is very simple and does not see the point Jesus is trying to make.  Its worth noting that Jesus is not intimidated by Pilate.  L...

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This Gospel was written over 2,000 years ago and the world is still here so I am less convinced the readings were written to prepare us for the end times.  However, many of the early Christians understood these readings as a sign pointing to  the end of the world.  One of the reasons why the Gospels were written so late, was because many people believed Jesus literally, and that the end of the world would take place in their lifetime.

I suspect these readings could be interpreted differently.  I propose that Jesus is t...

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The lesson in today’s Gospel is clear, do not get seduced by appearances! There is also a sub-theme of humility. Jesus is critical of the Scribes for their hypocritical behaviour. As Luke 12:48,  states, "To whom much is given, much will be required." Jesus emphasized the idea of responsibility that comes with blessings and resources. The verse suggests that those who have been entrusted with more—whether it be talents, wealth, or knowledge—are held to a higher standard of accountability. 
Jesus continues his teaching on looking beyond appearances when he is watching...

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In today’s Gospel Jesus is asked by a scribe, “Which commandment is the first of all?”  Jesus answers his question directly. Jesus talked about loving God exclusively, with all your heart, mind and all your strength. Jesus did not leave anything out. Jesus does not stop there but teaches that we are to love our neighbor as our selves. Jesus would later go on to define his understanding of who is a neighbor in the parable of the Good Samaritan.  It is not impossible to love people we admire or who love us or ar...

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Bartimaeus was blind and so had to resort to begging to feed himself.  As a beggar he had to compete with other beggars in order to survive.  His life was undoubtedly harsh.  We do not know if he had any support from his family.  

Probably, he learned to be pushy to get what he needed.  We can see his assertiveness in the Gospel reading.  He is not going to be stopped by a bunch of people who didn’t like him, yelling and creating a scene.  

Today’s healing addresses p...

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Jesus points out that following him is not going to be easy and there are no special concessions.  Jesus is teaching his disciples and ultimately his followers about what following him is all about. This was an issue for the early Christians who were experiencing the persecutions who wondered why God allowed these terrible things to happen to His people.  The Scriptural passage from Mark 4:35-41, Matthew 8:23-27, and Luke 8:22-25    which describes the disciple in a boat during the storm.  The disciples in desperation, wake Jesus up and say to him “Do you not...

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Today’s Gospel from Mark describe a man asking what must I do to inherit eternal life?  I want to draw your attention to the question.  I am struck by the fact that the man is focused solely on his own needs.  While there is nothing wrong with that the question it does say much about his level of faith development.  It is very self-focused.  Jesus asks the expected questions, around how he has lived his faith in the past.  Jesus realizes that his possessions have impacted the man’s ability to spiritually grow.   Duration: 00:09:01

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Many Christian denominations have interpreted this Scripture passage differently, but I want to draw your attention to the comment Jesus made, and I quote: “What  God has joined together, no human being must separate.”   This is a very important line.  We assume that when someone has a wedding in a Church witnessed before a priest or minister that they are married.  

I’ve made it clear to couples that they could be married in a Basilica, their officiant could be a bishop but if their consent is not there they are not marrie...

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Being passionate about one’s faith is not being fanatical.  Being passionate about one’s faith is being inspired, actively seeking deeper understanding and being committed to living the values in our faith life.  The problem is that anyone’s faith can become complacent, left unchallenged our faith may ultimately becomes stale.   In Matthew 5:13 Jesus states, “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot”.  
Passion in our...

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Jesus was very clear in his understanding of leadership.  For example, His teachings on leadership are found in Matthew 20:26, where he states, "But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant." This reflects the principle that true leadership is about serving others rather than seeking power or authority. 

It is sad when one  sees good people put in positions of authority, only to have the power go  to their head.  They no longer listen but are seduced by power and come to be...

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Jesus, like any good lawyer never asked  a question that he did not already know the answer to. After the disciples answer his question Jesus increases the heat by asking them who they think he is.  

Peter responds with the perfect answer and Jesus points out that his answer is a reflection of God’s presence in his life.  Unfortunately for Peter he continues talking and shows that while he gave  the correct answer, spoke the correct words he really didn’t understand Jesus or His mission.

  In these brief pas...

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In today’s Gospel we have a description of a healing, specifically the healing of a deaf and mute man.  Jesus orders the man not to tell anyone but Jesus orders falls on deaf ears, if you don’t mind the irony and the miracle is proclaimed anyway. Jesus must have known that the miracle would be proclaimed, and the people could not keep this a secret.  Jesus probably couldn’t help himself.  He is a healer. Not only would this man regain his hearing and ability to speak he could become an active me...

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Today’s Gospel reading is from a group of teachings where Mark describes Jesus challenging the Scribes and Pharisees about the practice of their faith. The Scribes and Pharisees were not doing anything wrong. They were literally following the law and the traditions of their ancestors. The point that Jesus is making with them is that they are focusing on little details and missing the more important reality. 

I would like to introduce you to Lawrence Kohlberg. Kohlberg's work created a new field within psychology, and his theories became highly influential in...

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This Gospel is likely one of the most difficult to understand. Understandably, his first listeners are struggling to comprehend this teaching especially because they were taking Jesus literally. Jesus develops the lesson inviting his listeners  to think on the level of Spirit.  

We have an account of a significant loss of disciples here.  Many of the disciples found the teaching to be too much to understand and so they not only leave but John describes them as going back and returning  to their former way of life. I guess you cannot blam...

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already figured out this is a very pronounced theme in John. This Gospel is likely one of the most difficult to understand. Without doubt, those who first heard Jesus speaking these words must have struggled to comprehend this teaching especially because they were taking Jesus literally. 

We need to remember that Jesus has taught like this before, dramatic and in a style that portrays the passion that Jesus has. The famous passage from Luke 9:60, “let the dead bury the dead” or Mathew 19:9, “if your eye causes you to sin pluck it out” ar...

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Most loving relationships do  experience  the ebb and flow of relationships.  Relationships go through periods of intensity and periods of distance.   People  sometimes like being close and other times they need their space.  Its clear that God respects our space, but we can clearly see he is the pursuer in this relationship.  Some people may feel God is distant, not involved much in his creation.  I agree that may be how we feel but is it accurate? Just because God does not behave in the way we want or expect does not mean he is no...

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In the Gospel, we are told that the people have found Jesus after having searched for him for awhile.  Jesus challenges them to look at their reasons for following him.  Ideally Jesus probably wished they were following him because they wanted to learn more in order to deepen their faith.   Jesus realizes however, that most people are searching for him because they want to see miracles and/or obtain free food rather than to obtain spiritual wisdom.  This situation does not appear to upset Jesus; and being the teacher that he is, transforms  the s...

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John describes the miracle of Jesus feeding a large group of followers. John indicated 5,000 men. We don’t know how many women or children were present.  I suspect there might be some exaggeration here. 

Although Jesus knew what he was going to do, he still asks Philip to give an opinion of what could be done. It is a great teaching tool where the teacher highlights the student’s understanding before the teaching.

John is making an important point that I want to draw your attention to in this reflec...

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In Today’s Gospel from Mark, we learn that the apostles had returned from some mission activity and are updating Jesus on their experiences.  What is immediately noteworthy is that Jesus’ first response is an invitation to get away and rest. 

It seems to me that Jesus is talking about the value of rest. Jesus is a head of his time. Psychologists and other mental health professionals are increasingly recognizing the need for rest to prevent burnout.  More and more I hear about Compassion fatigue, a component of burnout.  Compassion fatigue is the c...

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Jesus is sending his disciples to gain some missionary experiences.  The first thing is that Jesus sends the disciples out two by two.  I thought Jesus could have doubled his impact by sending them out alone.  It becomes clear that Jesus is not concerned with numbers.   He is making several teaching points about spirituality and faith that are helpful in deepening our faith.  Jesus is making it clear that they are not to have anything to slow them down or get in the way.  

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The Gospel Mark 6:1-6 is unusual, it seems that Jesus is returning to his hometown, likely to visit his family and friends.   We don’t know if this visit occurred early in his mission work or towards the end.  However, his family and friends have heard about his ministry, and they are not impressed.  Jesus is understandably disappointed in their behavior and attitude. 

Jesus did not always get support from his family.  In Mk 3:21 we have the family of Jesus coming to get him because they believed he was “out of his mind”...

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Today’s Gospel is a miracle story within a resurrection story.  The first is the story of a woman who is healed after many years of suffering from   hemorrhages.  This miracle story is unique as the miracle happens without her saying anything to Jesus.  She believes that she simply needs to touch the hem of his garment for the healing.  She is correct, she is indeed healed.  

Jesus was fully a teacher and would not pass by a teachable moment.   By calling this woman out he is making a point that her faith...

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Today’s Gospel describes an experience Jesus had with his disciples on the Sea of Galilee.  This story was well known during the early days of the Church, especially during the persecutions.    The early Church community was often in crisis as it dealt with factions from within and persecutions from the Roman Empire.  The people were often afraid and certainly asked themselves the question “Where is God?” Sound familiar?   Why is Jesus silent in the midst of all their suffering? There were many martyrs who gave up their lives for their faith.  Many early Christ...

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We have two very short parables where Jesus is describing the Kingdom of God.   The first question that comes to mind is what does Jesus mean by “kingdom of God”?  The term is used 126 times in the Gospels alone.  

I am also reminded of the statement where Jesus said: “If you had the faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mountain move from here to there and it will move.” Matthew 17:20. These passages could be a source of strength to those who wish they had more faith or fe...

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This Gospel is perhaps one of the most unusual of all the Gospels.  Jesus’ family, including his mother Mary are coming to take him home believing that he is either possessed or has lost his mind.  Jesus is accused of being possessed by members of his own family.  Due to the lack of understanding of mental illness in those days, strange behavior was often seen as possession.  Jesus turns the events into  a teachable moment.  Jesus seizes this opportunity to let the people know that they are more to God than just people, that the...

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Jesus and the disciples are celebrating the Passover Meal, a major feast day in the Jewish faith and history.  The Passover commemorates the “passing over” of the angel of death who would strike down the first born of the Egyptians.  This was the tenth and final plague that Moses would bestow on the Egyptians to force the Pharaoh to release the Israelites from their slavery.  

Every year the Jews celebrated Passover as they were celebrating their freedom from slavery and the protection from God.  The last meal that Jesus spent with his disc...

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I urge you to spend some time reflecting on who God is for you?  The answer may give you insight about how you see God, your expectations of God and how you allow God to impact your life.  One of the questions I ask people is; “What does God have to do to get your attention?’  This is another way of looking at what God means to you and how you expect God to reach out to you.  Don’t make the same mistake, as that of the Pharisees who missed recognizing the Messiah, f...

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Today’s Gospel is an account of the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples.  This account is very different from the other accounts in the Gospels.  Jesus makes another appearance.  He welcomes his disciples with the call to Peace. I want to point out that Jesus said this to the disciples who were afraid, the doors were locked, they had isolated themselves out of fear. 

Fear can lead us to abandon our values, goals and convictions; leading us to behaviours that normally would not happen. In a way causing us to...

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Jesus makes some serious claims of those who follow Him, who will be able to drive out demons, speak new languages, pick up serpents, and even if they drink poison they will survive.  Jesus promises miraculous cures simply by laying hands on the afflicted.  I recognize that miracles do happen.  I am not questioning that, however in our own times we don’t always see the healings nor the drinking of poison.  I am wondering if there is something more here for us to consider.

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John is writing on his favourite theme of love.  We are given a command to love one another.  I struggle with this because one cannot be commanded to love.   I wonder if the personality of Jesus, described in the Gospels, could shed light on how to respond to the call to love.  We might start by focusing on and developing these personality traits in our own lives. 

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In this Gospel Jesus compares himself to the true vine.  There are many points I want to draw your attention to.  This metaphor of the vine would be well understood by the people.  There were vineyards where people would grow grapes for wine. 

People would understand that vines were frequently pruned to produce much more fruit.  Anyone who grows plants or interested in growing gardens is familiar with the concept of pruning to ultimately make the plant more beautiful or more productive. 

The comparisons are obvious, that many times we are...

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Today’s podcast is from John 10: 11-18.  This Gospel will be read in churches April 21, 2024.  Jesus compares himself to a shepherd, not just any shepherd but a good shepherd.  Fortunately, Jesus goes on to clarify what he means.  Probably most of us have little or no experience with shepherds and likely have never met one.  

Jesus frequently used common experiences that people would recognize... to illustrate key spiritual concepts, in the parables we read about the lost coin, fish, vines and planting crops for example.   People at this time would presumably have bee...

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There are many stories in which Jesus is revealed to people in various communities.  I am proposing that the aspect community in our faith may be more important than we realize.  I want to draw your attention to Matthew 18:20 where Jesus promises, “When two or more are gathered in my name I am there”.  I am beginning to realize that being in a community can help mature our faith.  

I know that living community is not always easy.  It was no different in the early church; as we read in the Acts of t...

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In this Gospel of John, we have another appearance of Jesus.  Although the doors are locked Jesus has no trouble appearing to his disciples.  The first thing Jesus says is “Peace be with you”, and He will soon say it again.  Jesus makes it clear that peace is an important part of his Gospel.  He says it twice here and in several other scriptural passages.  Unfortunately, we Christians have not done a very good job of keeping the peace.  Wars and armed conflicts have almost continuously occurred throughout history.  This command has not been taken...

As we await the Resurrection, we learn that many of the followers of Jesus were not able to speak their truth of their experiences.  Let us focus on the times when we tried to share our Truth or inadvertently prevented someone from sharing their experiences.  There is so much to benefit when people are free to share their experiences even when it is different from our own. 

On Good Friday, we read about the trial and death of Jesus on the Cross.  Do we understand what happened and why?

Jesus is giving us a style of leadership.  It is a servant model of leadership.  Ironically, it’s quite freeing, Jesus is not concerned about how others see him.  He is free of the need to be concerned of self-imposed impression of others.  He knows who he is and is not going to compromise his teachings to appeal to those in power or to be popular or win the esteem of others.  

This is a short podcast with suggestions to further enhance your retreat.

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Today’s podcast is from the Gospel of John 20: 1-9.  This gospel focuses on one of the earliest accounts of the resurrection of Jesus. The story starts with Mary of Magdala going to the tomb and finding it empty.  

I wonder what it was like for the followers of Jesus during and after the crucifixion.  They were devastated!  Likely, some of the disciples could be diagnosed with Acute Stress Disorder. 

We don’t have any indication of what symptoms they were experiencing but likely they were in shock at what they...

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Jesus is welcomed by the people of Jerusalem in a fashion reserved for royalty. 
I have no way knowing for sure how Jesus felt.  On one hand he was likely pleased that the people were happy to welcome him.  He probably recognized many of the people and genuinely felt welcomed.  On the other hand, Jesus, who knew the thoughts of the Pharisees,  knew the depth of their faith and that  most likely he knew they still did not fully understand his Messiahship.   I am reminded of a parable found in Matthew 13:20 where Jesus t...

I would like to invite you to join me for an Easter Retreat starting on Holy Thursday March 28, to Easter Sunday March 31, 2024.

This short podcast outlines the retreat with some suggestions to prepare yourself for the retreat.  I will later publish part 2 with more details.

Hope you can join us!

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One of the unusual themes found in this Gospel is the paradox of death leading to life.  What is unique here, is Jesus’ understanding about life and death, where death comes before life. One would think that you would have to live before you can die, however, Jesus turns that all around. Jesus teaches that one has to die first before one can live life fully.  It is only by experiencing death that one can live life to the fullest. 

Not the easiest concept to grasp.

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Jesus is sent to lead people to eternal life.  God is not condemning his people, but his message is offering them eternal life.  Interesting, Jesus makes it clear we are not meriting eternal life, we simply have to believe.  People have a hard time with this, still under the impression that we have to merit this invitation and the invitation could be taken away at anytime for any infraction of the rules.   I wonder if for so many people, love is experienced as conditional… based on merit. 

Lawrence Kohlberg describes different stages...