In today’s first reading we have two sayings or exhortation. The first saying exhorts children: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother.” The second saying is more difficult: “Slaves, be obedient to your masters...
In today’s Gospel Jesus challenges the people to recognize the “signs of the times” just as they can recognize the signs of the weather: “When you see a cloud rising in the west you say immediately that it is going to rain…and when you notice that the wind is blowing...
In today’s first reading Paul talks about mystery: “You have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for your benefit, namely, that the mystery was made known to me by revelation.” A mystery is not a problem to be solved but the plan and will of...
In today’s first reading Paul opens with a prayer of blessing: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.” This prayer of blessing gives us our identity as Christians. This...
It is natural and human to seek signs. We always want assurances or proofs that God is indeed with us. In the book of Isaiah King Ahaz is instructed to seek a sign: “Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz: Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as Sheol, or...
