When was the last time you had goosebumps listening to music? John 5:17-30. Jesus describes God as the Father “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgement is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.” Reading this […]
Should we work on a Sunday? John 5:1-16. Doing things on a sabbath day Jesus healed a sick man during the sabbath, and He was persecuted by the Jews because He did this on a holy day (“Keep holy the Lord’s day.”) Jesus justified His healing works in Mark 2:27, “The Sabbath was made for […]
Because we’re fallible, we need evidence John 4:43-54. “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” When Jesus mentioned “You of little faith!” or “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe!”, is this necessarily a negative judgement of us? It fascinates me that after Jesus expresses how we […]
Are we like the other son? Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. The parable of the prodigal son Why did the father accept back the lost son? Because he knew that the son has humbled himself and has fully repented. The other son who felt slighted by the father’s welcoming of the lost son seems very relatable – […]
To be truly righteous is to acknowledge our wrongs, not others’ wrongs Luke 18:9-14. How the Pharisee and the tax collector prayed It feels good to boost our own ego by finding delight in the shortcomings of others. But this is a trap – doesn’t this breed a sense of pride, entitlement, and false sense […]
Be it done according to the word Luke 1:26-38. The Angelus The Angelus prayer commemorates the response of Mama Mary to Gabriel the archangel: “Be it done to me according to Your Word!” In the Catholic mass, before the Holy Communion, we pray: “…only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” Upon reflecting […]
A spectacle is more of an appeal to the senses and emotions Luke 11:14-23. By the power of demons, he drives out demons Jesus is accused that the reason He is able to drive out demons is because He calls on the power of other demons. I find myself pondering – suppose that a false […]
Relying on technicalities and fine prints is another form of BS Matthew 5:17-19. Not to abolish but to fulfill Clearly, Jesus advocates against hypocrisy; a projection or appearance of holiness but is not authentic nor integral to the person. In other words, bullshit. In this sense, the message is not necessarily to rebel against what […]
Is repentance a condition of forgiveness? Matthew 18:21-35. Not seven times but seventy-seven times If forgiveness is a form of love, and love should be unconditional, should we forgive unconditionally, as in give forgiveness without the offender repenting first? Perhaps the practical answer is to at least dignify the person of the offender and not […]
Thirst for the fountain of insights, not some junk food half-truth delights Luke 4:24-30. No prophet is accepted in his own native place When have facts become a matter of opinion? When has truth become a matter of preference? Perhaps it is when we as a society placed more premium on sense-experiences, equating pain and […]