Jesus began his ministry north of his hometown of Nazareth along the shores of the Sea of Galilee. There were many small towns and commercial centers on the northern end of the lake. Capernaum was a larger city at the time. It grew into a large commercial center as it...
This week we will be reading from the prophet Isaiah. Today’s first reading is from the 1st chapter of Isaiah. This chapter provides an overview to the whole book of Isaiah, sounding some of its key themes and words. Like the prophet Hosea before him and Jesus...
Jesus words today are very hard. He is speaking of Christians so dedicated to their faith that their family and social relationships will be broken. Their neighbors and their synagogues will turn against them. Not only that, but family members will denounce them and...
In today’s Gospel Jesus commissions the Apostles to preach his message: “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 10:6). This is the same message that both Jesus (4:17) and John the Baptist preached (3:2). The Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God is at hand...
Jesus chooses his apostles from a diverse range of ages, trades, personalities and faith experiences. Peter was outspoken and insightful. But he was often off track. John was apparently very young. There are two sets of brothers. Many were common fishermen. Matthew...
