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...
Our reactions to terrifying events and difficulties in life tend to show what kind of faith and relationship we have with God. People who live in natural religiosity will approach life with all its difficulties through constant fear. Every day is an encounter with...
Leprosy was a particularly frightful disease in the first century. Even today the word is a bit scarry. Physically it was a slow degeneration of the body but it also produced an end to all social and family contact. At the time disease and disabilities were seen as a...
St. Peter makes some dramatic and profound statements in today’ first reading. Israel had a special covenant relationship with God. They were God’s chosen people. Their mission as a nation was to be a sign of God’s presence in the world. Their relationship with God...
As Christians we live in communion with God. Our baptism makes us part of God’s life. We are grafted into the life of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, just as a gardener grafts a new branch onto a rose bush. Many people see God as being separate and far away...
