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Which commandment is the greatest?
The whole of God’s revelation in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) that also expresses the divine will is often referred to as “the Law and the Prophets.” Actually, Scriptures also include the...
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Philip found Nathanael
The Gospel of John emphasizes the idea of “witnessing.” John the Baptist, sent to testify to the light, points to Jesus as the Lamb of God and the bridegroom. Andrew, the first to follow Jesus, finds...
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You hypocrites!
Jesus accuses the Pharisees of being hypocrites. They are self-righteous and ostentatious, they teach people false religious beliefs, and they try to trap Jesus. They are hypocrites who would correct...
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He spoke with authority
Jesus’ ministry of preaching and teaching is accompanied with power and authority. God’s power resides in him, that is why his words possess an authority mightier than the power of the evil one....
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They interceded with him about her
Teaching and healing are powerful statements that the good news of God’s Kingdom is at work in Jesus. Most often, we believe in God’s entrance into our lives when we experience the Lord’s healing touch...
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No one pours new wine into old wineskins
The conflict of fasting reflects the situation in Luke’s community where the Jews adhere to strict compliance to the rule on fasting, whereas the new Christian members who include non-Jews are flexible...
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The son of man is Lord of the Sabbath
In the Old Testament, Sabbath is a day set aside for rest and worship, since it is linked to God’s rest after creation, and it is made holy by God (cf Gn 2:2-3). It is a day of remembering God’s gift...
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Sayings on Discipleship
LUKE 14:25-33 Great crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and addressed them, “If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even...
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His hand was restored
The scenario presents two faces of rigidity: the man with the withered hand and the scribes and Pharisees rigid in their strict observance of the Law. Jesus can easily cure the man’s physical...
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He chose twelve
The following of Jesus comes in two phases: the period of discipleship and the commissioning as Apostles. When Jesus calls the disciples, he tells them to “come and see,” and they stay with him....
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Blessed are you… woe to you
Like Moses who came down the mountain with the tablets of the Law, Jesus descends from the mountain to the plain with his new teaching often dubbed as “The Beatitudes.” Blessedness will be granted to...
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The measure with which you measure
It is natural for parents to be protective, generous, and kind to their children; so it is among tribes, kin, friends, and comrades. But Jesus’ standard surpasses that of ordinary folks when he...
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So must the son of man be lifted up
To be “lifted up” points to Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross as an offering for the expiation of man’s sins and reconciliation with God. It alludes to the incident in the desert where Moses lifted the...
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The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son
LUKE 15:1-32 [or 15:1-10] The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with...
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But say the word
The blessings of God’s Kingdom are given to all who have faith and not only to the Jews. The centurion recognizes that even though he possesses authority as a military commander, there is someone...
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Young man, I tell you, arise!
Jesus’ power goes beyond healing the sick; He has power over death. This miracle is reminiscent of the raising of the widow’s son by the prophet Elijah (cf 1 Kgs 17:18-24). In fact, the people’s...
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The people of this generation
Jesus chastises the leaders of the Jews as flippant and capricious children—hard to please, wanting other people to change according to their estimation. They want Jesus to abide by their standards and...
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The one to whom little is forgiven, loves little
The parallel is equally true: “The one to whom much is forgiven, loves much.” Grace abounds in the humble person, as in the case of the sinful woman, who accepts her countless faults and her need of...
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Accompanying him were the twelve and some women
In Jesus’ time, women are not allowed to go public. They are not entrusted with civic and religious responsibilities; they do not testify in courts. They are not allowed to study the scriptures or to...
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I did not come to call the righteous but sinners
As a tax collector, Matthew may be an epitome of the sinner. Tax collectors are most hated by the Jews since they collaborate with the foreign Roman power and make money at the expense of their...
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