When Jesus, just 40 days after his birth, was brought to the temple in Jerusalem for dedication, his devout parents were simply doing what was required for all first born sons, according to the Law given by God to Moses. However, the events at the temple that day were...
Introduction: Jesus' preaching excited many and motivated them to believe. But others rejected His preaching and especially His call to repentance and forgiveness. His Custom: Before we get to the main message, we pause for a moment and notice this important...
Have you prayed to God and felt your prayer wasn't answered, or not according to your timeline? In today's reading we see Jesus at a wedding party where the wine has run out—a serious embarrassment for the hosts. Jesus' mother Mary makes a faith-filled...
At the time of Jesus’ appearing, or “epiphany,” the people of Israel were awaiting a hero, a savior— the Messiah. They asked John the Baptist if he might be the one. He assured them he was not, but the Christ was coming, who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and...
In today’s reading from the Gospel of Luke, we see that the child Jesus is growing and maturing, specifically in strength, or stature, and in wisdom and favor. As we read of his visit to Jerusalem with His parents, we can see that Jesus’ growth is based on His...
The entire goal of Simeon's life had been to see God bring about the salvation of Israel, and the old saint's patience, his hope, his immersion in sacred scripture, and his refusal to filter out the sorrow that colored that hope allowed him to recognize,...
