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In his First Letter to the Corinthians Saint Paul warned of the danger of factions and conflict in the church.
We make a big deal about how Saint John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord—saw him coming, witnessed the big epiphany moment when he baptized Jesus, told the crowd
The readings this week offer both a very particular and a universal message. On the one hand God chose a certain individual who belonged to a certain people. Yet the good news God delivered goes out to all nations.
God clearly wants something big for the world—nothing less than overcoming injustice—and to show the all-importance of this task God sent God’s Son to get it going. The help of God’s creatures, however, is also needed. How can you respond to this work for which God created you to be a light to the world?
One thing we hear in this week’s readings—and last week as well—is a quiet reminder of Jesus’ “Great Commandment”: Love your neighbor as yourself, as well as another one of his most important messages: Forgive others; judge not.
Saint Joseph awoke from his dream. “He did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him.” Those words could very well describe much of his life.
"Are you the one who is to come?” That’s the question John the Baptist’s disciples had for Jesus, but is it one you can ask yourself today?
It’s Advent: What kind of Messiah are you expecting? A harsh one? That’s the one it looks as if scripture was anticipating: A savior who slays the wicked and sweeps up the unrepentant like dust on the floor and burns them in the incinerator. Severe even in metaphorical terms. Or perhaps you think you know already—the same Jesus who’s been arriving every Christmas for centuries?
There’s a saying going back to ancient times: “If you want peace, prepare for war.” In other words, be so strong so as to make it foolhardy for anyone to attack you and risk destruction. You might call it the deterrence argument.