In today’s Gospel text the nine apostles are perplexed in not being able to exorcize the devil who took possession of the young man. Today we would probably recognize the boy’s malady as epilepsy. In Jesus’ time it was thought to be caused by phases of the moon, thus the use of the word, lunatic. […]

First, let me remind you of a little geography. The Sea of Galilee is the largest freshwater lake in Israel. It has an average depth of 84 feet. The part, about 3 miles out, where the apostles were is about 30 feet deep. By comparison, Lake Erie is the tenth largest lake in the world. […]

The language of this event in Jesus’ life connects the multiplication of the loaves and fishes with the Last Supper. St. Matthew, at both events, writes that Jesus “took the bread, blessed it, broke it and gave it to his disciples.” While these actions were not unusual for any Jewish meal, just as we say […]

St. Paul urges us in today’s Epistle reading, “We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.” He extends this to our neighbors, “Let each of us please our neighbor…” Then he prays,“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to think in harmony […]

In today’s account of the healing of the paralytic, Jesus responds to the faith of the people by forgiving the man’s sins and then healing him of his paralysis. It is both their faith and action that bring Jesus’ response. In our own lives we must accompany our faith by actions. In the letter of […]