In today’s Gospel Jesus speaks about the purpose of parables. Jesus often teaches using parables or stories taken from daily life such as the farmer sowing, or the story of the growth of a mustard seed. When his disciples ask him why he speaks in parables he...
In today’s Gospel Jesus prays and gives praise to his heavenly Father with these words: “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.” Jesus stands in wonder before his Father’s ways. With childlike simplicity God reveals himself as a God of love, mercy,...
In today’s Gospel Jesus commissions and sends out the Twelve to be his witnesses. The word “apostle” comes from the Greek verb “to send” (apostellõ). Jesus tells the Apostles: “Behold, I am sending (apostellõ) you like sheep in the midst of wolves.” Who are these...
Today’s first reading from Genesis is the story of Jacob’s ladder or stairway. This ladder reaches from the ground to the heavens. God’s “messengers” or angels were “going up and down on” this stairway. God reveals himself to Jacob as the God of his ancestors and...
In today’s Gospel Jesus performs an exorcism and drives demons out of two people possessed by these demons. The story is rich with symbolism. The story takes place in the territory of the Gadarenes, thus an “unclean” Gentile territory. The demoniacs were coming...
