What is necessary for salvation? This question is faced by all of us, including the Jewish Pharisee Nicodemus. Today’s Gospel begins not with Nicodemus asking this question but acknowledging the authority of Jesus: “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come...
In today’s Gospel we hear the story of the women’s encounter with the resurrected Jesus. Mary Magdalene and the “other Mary” came to the tomb early in the morning and found it empty. As the ran from the tomb the resurrected Jesus appeared to them first with words of...
In today’s Gospel we once again hear about Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. We already heard about these three family members in chapter 11, the story of the “Raising of Lazarus.” That chapter began by introducing those two sisters and their brother: “Now a man was ill,...
In John’s Gospel Jesus performed healings or miracles which the Evangelist called signs or good works. Today’s Gospel reading concludes with the people recalling the testimony of John the Baptist: “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was...
The announcement of a coming birth is an occasion of great joy and hope. In today’s Gospel the angel Gabriel announces to Mary the coming birth of Jesus who “will be great and will be called Son of the Most High.” The angel proclaims the holiness of Mary: “Hair,...
