A Psychologist looks at Scripture

Send us Fan MailLike many goodbyes, the Ascension is bittersweet.  Jesus has completed his ministry on Earth.  He can have a sense of accomplishment.  Yet he is saying goodbye to his disciples.  There were likely many positive memories of comradeship, caring and supporting each other.  He reassures them they will have help in their ministry in the form of the Spirit of Truth, the Advocate, or the Holy Spirit.Saying goodbye is often not easy.  Have you ever had the experience of saying to someone who was leaving, “see you later” while knowing in your heart that   you will not likely see them again?  Why do we do this?  It’s not easy to let go of someone or something we love, value or has meaning in our lives.  Some people cope by not investing in people at all because they have been hurt or know that there will likely come a time when they will have to say goodbye.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailAs Jesus introduces the spirit of Truth as part of our relationship with God. Truth is absolutely foundational for spiritual growth, not just an optional “nice‑to‑have” accessory. In Christian teaching, truth is what God uses to convert and set people free. Spiritual growth therefore depends on a willingness to hear teaching, examine one’s life, and reject self‑deception, which is why “hunger for truth” is listed as an indicator of genuine spiritual growth alongside love and hatred of sin. With these elements spiritual growth happens; without it, our growth becomes shallow, fragile, or even counterfeit. Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn today’s edition there is a lot going on in this Gospel which is typical in John’s Gospel.  The Gospel starts with Jesus trying to reassure his disciples.  He speaks about providing a place for them and returning to come and get them.  It is obvious that Jesus is feeling a connection and is being protective of them.  When people feel they belong—whether in a family, community, or spiritual group—they are more willing to be vulnerable, explore questions of meaning, and let themselves be “seen” by others and by the Divine. It is important to examine who is Jesus for you?  Is he relevant to your life?  What is his personality like?  Are you comfortable seeing Jesus as brother, a friend, wise mentor?  I am always fascinated with the answers I get when I ask who is God for you?  Some believe in God but see God as a supreme being, others a creator or judge.  How we perceive God goes a long way on how we relate to our God and our spiritual development.  Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailOne of the techniques that Jesus used was using situations that the people would be familiar with.  The readings today are no exception.  The people would be familiar with the gate keeper for the sheep.  To give you some background, most villages had a walled in field where the local shepherds would bring their flocks for the night.  The shepherds would take their turn guarding the gate to make sure no one came it to hurt any of the sheep.  I am thinking of people who might want to have lamb chops for supper.  This arrangement allowed the shepherds to spend time with their families.  In the morning the shepherds would come and literally call their sheep out by name.  This teaching focuses on the protective aspect of our God.  This is not the only example of God’s protective stance. Do you have a sense of God’s protective love?  Sadly, many do not feel this protective love and more than once felt abandoned or wonder if God actually cares or has taken a hands-off approach.   Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn today’s edition from Luke 24  we hear about two disciples on a walk from Jerusalem to a village 7 miles away called Emmaus.   While it seems like an innocent walking excursion, there is so much going on.  We gain insight into the early days of the Church.  Two of his disciples are discussing what had happen in Jerusalem just a few days ago.  The situation suddenly became   very interesting when they were joined by what appeared to be a very uninformed stranger.  The stranger admits his lack of knowledge and the two travellers take it upon themselves to “educate” the stranger about Jesus and his crucifixiion. I would like to focus on the statement that the disciples recognize that their hearts burned within them.  Their intuition recognized Jesus for who he is.  This statement poetically reminds us that while it is important to have knowledge of Scripture and even Theology, we also need to pay attention to what is going on in our hearts to discern the will of God and grow in our spirituality.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailJesus greets his disciples with "Peace," the first words he speaks—signaling its central place in our spirituality. Amid world events and ongoing wars, this topic feels especially timely. Jesus frequently taught about peace: from the Beatitudes, "Blessed are the peacemakers" (Mt 5:9); to instructions for entering a house (Mt 10:13); and Zechariah's prophecy at his Presentation in the Temple, guiding our feet into the way of peace (Lk 1:79). Yet peace is often misunderstood.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailOn April 5, 2026, we celebrate Easter, the radiant heart of Christianity, with joyful celebrations, family gatherings, and renewed hope. Yet in our familiarity, we risk missing its visceral intensity. We view  the full story through history's lens—what comes next is assured. But imagine the raw uncertainty: the searching, questioning, desperate hoping, and plunging despair of those first witnesses. Tuning into their emotions isn't mere curiosity; it mirrors our own struggles to make sense of chaos, offering empathy and insight for today's followers.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThere are many spiritual lessons in this seemly simple Gospel.  At the beginning of the Gospel Jesus gives very specific instructions.  I suspect Matthew is telling his listeners that Jesus knew what was going on and that this was a very deliberate act.  I wonder what Jesus was thinking about while he was on the colt entering the city.  He is listening to the people shout hosanna, wave palm branches which was a customary way to welcome an important dignitary.   I am sure he appreciated the warm welcome he was receiving from the people.  But he knew that the same people who were honouring him with the words “Hosanna” would within a week be yelling “crucify him” as he was carrying his cross.    It is often stated that Jesus knew what  thoughts were in people’s hearts, check out John 2:24-25.  It must have been a difficult time for him.  Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThe Gospel for March 22, 2026, is the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. This is one of three resurrection stories in the Gospels—the others involve Jairus's daughter and the son of the widow of Nain. What sets Lazarus's story apart? Jesus knew Lazarus, along with his sisters Mary and Martha, whom we've encountered before. The deepest lessons emerge before the miracle itself.Jesus invites us to see death differently. Awareness of mortality prompts us to prioritize what truly matters, fostering deeper appreciation for life. This shifts focus from trivial worries to making meaningful actions, building psychological resilience and stronger relationships.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThe Pharisees are fixated on the fact that Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath and missing the more significant and obvious miracle of a man being given the opportunity to see for the very first time.  The Pharisees clearly have an agenda and rigidly hold on to it despite the facts and that their perspective is literally missing the bigger picture.  .  The man who was once blind has not only gained his sight but is able to see more than the Pharisees who have always had their sight.  Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailJesus reveals he's the Messiah only three times in the Gospels (here, to a Samaritan woman; and twice at his trial). He sees her wounds but also her resilience and faith. Despite pain, she's tied to her community.  I wonder if these qualities made her a good candidate for Jesus to share his true identity with her.Unlike the sceptical Pharisees, she grasps who Jesus is—and leads her village to him. In John 4:40–42, the Samaritans invite him to stay two days. Many villagers believe through his words, telling her, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; we have heard for ourselves, and we know this is truly the Savior of the world."  This verse is incredible.   The people are converted by the preaching alone.  There is no record of miracles events – no healings or people getting fed.  The people are converted by the Word alone.  This is a different scenario from what Jesus usually experiences.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan Mail The Transfiguration stands out from accounts of Jesus' healings and teachings. There's a group of miracles that feel different—perhaps even puzzling—but they're deeply spiritual. Consider Jesus walking on water and inviting Peter to join him (Matthew 14:22-33); calming the storm amid the disciples' pleas (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41; Luke 8:22-25); turning water into wine at a wedding (John 2:1-11); finding a coin in a fish's mouth for the temple tax (Matthew 17:24-27); or casting demons into a herd of pigs (Matthew 8:28-34; Mark 5:1-20; Luke 8:26-39). You might think of others.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan Mail In today’s podcast we focus on Matthew’s account of Jesus completing 40 days in the desert.  It is not clear whether Matthew is drawing a connection between Jesus’ time in the desert and the Israelites wandering around in the desert for 40 years.  What is noteworthy is that we have Jesus being tempted by the devil.  The temptations give us insight into the heart and mission of Jesus. The first one is the devil suggesting that Jesus turn the stones into bread.  Jesus is clearly hungry.  He had fasted for a long time.  It would make sense, at least superficially, to use his power to regain his strength.  Jesus is not seduced by this reasoning and realized the ends did not justify the means.  Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailAs we develop our faith life our view of the law will change from following the letter of the law to the spirit of the law.  Jesus was often critical of the Pharisees who lived by the letter of the law and chose not to recognize the purpose of the law. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus accused them of meticulously paying tithes on tiny herbs like mint, anise and cummin but ignoring "weightier matters" like justice, mercy, and faith, showing their focus on literal compliance over the Law's spirit.  Jesus called them "blind guides" for straining gnats (minor ritual impurity) from water while swallowing camels (major violations), highlighting disproportionate literalism on trivial purity laws Matthew 23:24.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn today’s Gospel Jesus describes living our faith in three metaphors that would be easily understood by the first listeners.  Also, I suspect the choice of the metaphors may have additional meaning too.The first metaphor that Jesus uses is comparing the impact of faith on others to the impact of salt on seasoning our food.  The use of salt today has changed radically.  We still need salt to prevent such diseases as hyponatremia and impacting insulin absorption for diabetics.  Too much salt can lead to high blood pressure.  It is not unusual for physicians to suggest to their patients to reduce their salt intake.  I urge my listeners to hear these teachings in the context they were made.  2000 years ago, salt was a cherished commodity.   Salt was used in food to improve taste.  Other spices such as cinnamon and cumin were imported and available to the wealthy while other herbs and spices such as mint, thyme, garlic and onions were available to the average person.  Salt was still very important, and, in many cases, people were paid in salt (or used it as a form of currency in various ancient societies where it held high value for preservation and trade.  The word salary is from the word salt; reflecting the fact that many people were paid with salt.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn the podcast today we are introduced to a segment of the teachings of Jesus known as the Beatitudes.  The Beatitudes gives us insight into the mind of Jesus.  There is some debate about what Jesus actually meant but let’s look more closely.  The Beatitudes are also found in Luke’s Gospel with some differences. For example, the first Beatitude  is “Blessed are  the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”.  Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThis Gospel describes the early beginnings of Jesus ministry.  The death of John the Baptist seems to be the trigger for Jesus, and he begins by inviting people to join him in his mission.  There are two points I want to draw your attention to.  In most cases one would expect the disciples to ask Jesus, but we have it the other way around.  Jesus is asking them.  It is noteworthy that Jesus is asking them so early in his ministry.  Most of the disciples as far as we can tell were invited by Jesus for particular reasons, reasons that we can not be sure of.  We do know that its not because they were particularly good or that they had achieved any special accomplishment.  It is noteworthy to mention that we don’t have any record of Jesus inviting any of the Pharisees.  Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThe lesson for us is not to get alarmed if we have periods of doubt or question aspects of our faith.  As pointed out, these are signs of an adult faith.  I invite you to see doubts as an invitation to explore, to be curious, to question and be motivated to resolve the doubt.  The sad part is that so many people just hold the tension and do little or nothing with their doubts.  Some people are worried that their faith is weak and are reluctant to do anything or seek help.  This is probably the worst possible choice.  Check out the podcast about Disbelieving Thomas published on March 31, 2024.  St. Thomas and his doubt experience can provide insight into understanding those periods of doubt in our own faith journey.  John the Baptist’s faith life will be a source of spiritual hope for you.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailToday’s edition focuses on the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.  This is only recorded direct episode of Jesus interacting with John the Baptist.  To give you some context, John was inviting people to the Jordan River for a spiritual cleansing.  This spiritual cleansing has been referred to as Baptism.  John the Baptist was not the first to use this model of using water to wash away sin.  There are many examples in Scripture of special rituals used to described spiritual washing.  Two examples from the Hebrew Testament are Ezekiel 36:25 “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleanness.” From Isaiah 1:16 we have “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes.”  From the New Testament we have Hebrews 10:22, “Our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”  There are others but you get the point.   This raises the question, why did Jesus request a spiritual practise that was used to wash away sin when Jesus did not sin?Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThis Gospel speaks about the days after the birth of Jesus.  What should have been a joyous event has a very dark layer behind it.  In this account we have the Magi coming to acknowledge the birth of a king.  On this note I encourage my listeners to check out the editions of this podcast published on December 29, 2024, and December 30, 2023, where I speak about the Wisemen and the role they played.  The wisemen were looking for the infant who would be king of the Jews.  Even though the Star that was guiding them was according to tradition, a testimony that something very special was happening, there  is no indication that they actually thought or knew that they were some of the first witnesses  to recognize the birth of the Messiah.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn today’s Gospel we hear of another dream that Joesph had.  If you are joining us for the first time, I urge you to listen to last weeks podcast edition where I speak about the dreams that Joseph had.  I also recommend that you listen to the December 17th edition published in 2023 where I speak about Joseph’s mission.  Today   I want to speak about the dream that Joseph has.  In the dream Joseph is warned to flee to Egypt as the king was plotting to kill the child.  I want to draw your attention to fact that the angel directed Joseph to take the child to Egypt.  We never learn where in Egypt or how long they would live in Egypt.  I cannot help but wonder why Egypt?  There were many other countries or places Joesph could have been directed to go.  Don’t forget that the Jews had experienced slavery in Egypt.  The book of Exodus, one of the books in the Torah is devoted to the Jews gaining their freedom and embarking on reclaiming the promised land. Passover is one of the most widely observed and venerated Jewish holidays, embodying themes of freedom, faith, and community remembrance that are central to Jewish life and spirituality.  Yet, Egypt is the country chosen to protect the Messiah.  Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn this podcast today I will be focusing on the dreams that Joseph had.  We don’t have much else on St. Joseph.  We don’t hear much about him after the birth of Jesus.  He is mentioned in the story of the finding in the temple when Jesus was 12 years old but that is it.  We learn that Joseph was a dreamer. There are four dreams recorded, outlining what   Joseph experienced.   In Matthew 1:16, 18-20, an angel appears in the dream instructing Joseph to take Mary as his wife, in Matthew 2:13-14 Joseph dreams that they are in danger so decide to flee to Egypt.  In Matthew 2:19-20 Joseph returns because in a dream he learns that it is now safe.  He has another dream Mt 2:22 instructing him to live in Galilee.  In each case Joseph makes a significant choice.  I am wondering if our dreams may also have an important place in our spirituality.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailJohn was the Hearld of the Messiah.  His role was simple, increase the awareness of the people of the coming Messiah.  In the Gospel of John 3:30, John the Baptist says, "He must increase, but I must decrease," referring to Jesus Christ. This expresses John's understanding that his own role and influence were meant to diminish as Jesus' ministry and prominence grew. John’s statement reflects humility and the acknowledgment that Jesus must be exalted above all else.  I am curious why Jesus had a herald, someone to prepare for him.  Did Jesus need someone to prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah.  The people had been waiting for centuries.  I suspect that many prophets played an important role in supporting Jesus.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailI focus on information from the Scriptures and try to figure out what likely was the back story.  I will attempt to explain more in detail as we unpack the life of John the Baptist.  I am very careful in using tradition and historical context to gain insight into biblical times.  Often tradition may have a political agenda and may not always be factual.  For example, Christian tradition holds that Herodias, fearing John might come back to life if body and head were together, had John’s head buried in Herod’s palace in Jerusalem. Islamic tradition believes the head of John the Baptist is buried under a specific pillar  in Damascus, Syria, which was once the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist. Some traditions also claim the head was buried on the Mount of Olives by Joanna, the wife of Chuza, where it remained hidden for centuries. Various relics purported to be of John have been claimed in several other places, including France, specifically Amiens Cathedral, Turkey, and other parts of the Middle East.  I think you can see why I will not be commenting on where John the Baptist is buried.The good news is we can get more reliable insight to what the world was like from historians who lived and wrote at the time or shortly after the life of Jesus. Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailI recognize that staying alert can be exhausting at times and there may be times when taking a break would be appropriate.  I highly recommend developing skills to reflect on our lives when we might not have been as alert as we needed to be.  Retreats, Devotions such as the Daily Examination of conscience, a prayerful reflection developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola may be helpful.   Other examples are spiritual direction, contemplative prayer, Lectio Divina which is a meditative reading and contemplation of Scripture that draws attention to God's word through slow, reflective reading and prayerful response.  These spiritual exercises help us compensate when we are not alert and need extra help to focus.  Developing a reflective stance is worth the cost.  Finding time and space in your life will not be easy for some.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThis Gospel describes some of the last moments of the life of Jesus on Earth.  The Gospel seems more appropriate for Lent and Easter.  Jesus says very little.  He is dying on the cross, he is dismissed by the leaders who are responsible for his death.  The most interesting conversation is between the two condemned men who are being crucified with Jesus.  We do not know what their crimes were.  In those days it did not take much to be condemned to death.  We know nothing about the criminals. The two criminals take very different positions with Jesus.  The first one taunts Jesus but is rebuked by the second who seems to have an amazing understanding of who Jesus is.  It is ironic that the Pharisees with all their training in Scripture fail in recognizing Jesus as the Messiah yet here we have this criminal who is being executed but he is able to recognize who Jesus is.  The criminal is rewarded for his faith.  I suspect that the other criminal was pardoned too.  There is no limit in the willingness of Jesus to forgive.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailJesus warns us that we will be betrayed not just by anyone but by people who are close to us, family members.  Experiencing betrayal is unfortunately more common than we would like.  Being betrayed by those who are close to us is especially hurtful.  Betrayal undermines our ability to trust.  Have you ever experienced betrayal?Betrayal is a prevalent theme in the Gospels.  From the moment Jesus was born there was betrayal.  I direct you to Matthew 2: 1-12 where the wisemen who have tracked the star to Bethlehem ask King Herod where the infant king of the Jews is.  After consulting with his advisors, he tells the wisemen to go find the child and report back to him so can go and give homage.  The scheme almost worked but the wisemen are warned in a dream not to go back to Herod.  King Herod lied to the wisemen to get information from them so he could kill the child.  He betrayed the wisemen who had made it clear to Herod that their intention was to pay homage to the child not set him up to be killed. Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailTodays Gospel  is quite different from most others.  In this Gospel we have Jesus aggressively driving the money changes and sellers out of the temple.  At first glance it is quite different from Jesus’ usual way.  There are no immediate teachings, healings or witty dialogue.  It is clear that Jesus is passionate about his faith, and he is not willing to compromise.  Professor David Landry of the University of St. Thomas and many other biblical scholars suggest that "the importance of the episode is signalled by the fact that within a week of this incident, Jesus is dead”. This event likely functioned as the 'trigger' for Jesus' death.  The Scribes and Pharisees tolerated Jesus.   They did not like the fact that Jesus was popular with the people, his insightful teachings and the fact that Jesus won every debate with them.  It was not until Jesus attacked their financial interests did, they escalate their intentions to stop him.  Before I go any further, should  you wish to follow up on this theory, I invite you to check out David Landry’s article "God in the Details: The Cleansing of the Temple in Four Jesus Films". published in 2009 in the Journal of Religion & Film. Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThere are three stories in the Gospels where Jesus raises someone from the dead.  We have the story of Lazarus being raised (John 11:38-44), Jarius’ 12-year-old daughter being raised as recorded in (Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40 and Matthew 9:18-26) and now in today’s Gospel we hear about Jesus raising the son of a widow in a town called Nain.  What is interesting in this Gospel is how few facts we have about the story.  In the two previous resurrection stories we have names, and we are made aware of some background information, and we are provided teachings but not here.  It’s clear that this resurrection was not planned.  If Jesus had arrived an hour earlier or the funeral was an hour later there would have been no miracle.  What does this mean?Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailSo, we overhear the prayers of two very different men.  One man, the Pharisees has done a lot and includes what he has done in a list expecting I guess to impress God.  He was doing okay until he compared himself to the tax collector.  The second man, the Tax collector has said little but admits to his wrongdoing and is truly sorry.  It must have come as a shock to the first listeners to this parable.  There are several points to this story.  Appearances can be deceiving.   It’s important not to rush to judgement.  Also, despite the tax collector’s past he did have one thing the Pharisee lacked and that is the awareness of who he was.  I wonder if being aware of where we need to grow and change in our lives is important for the development of our spirituality.  I am not talking about being self deprecating but choosing rather to seek self awareness and humility that might be critical in the development of our spirituality.  Likely the Pharisee was not aware that he had completely missed the values of the practice of his faith.  Because of his lack of self-awareness, it is likely that he will not see the need for personal growth or recognize opportunities in his life to grow.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn the Gospel of Luke 18:6-8 Jesus is teaching his disciples to pray always.  He uses a short parable of a woman seeking justice from a corrupt judge.  The woman successfully hassles the judge, wearing him down to finally getting the justice she was seeking.  Jesus makes the interesting point that how much more will God grant what we ask if only we remain steadfast in our prayers.  This raises many questions.  Why does God often delay in answering our prayers?   I seriously doubt that God enjoys watching us wait.  I wonder then if there is some value in waiting.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn today’s Gospel we read about a healing, specifically the healing of ten people with leprosy.  Although this account is about people getting healed of a dreaded disease it is  what happens after the healing that is most significant.  Let’s take a step back to help put this Gospel in perspective.  Leprosy or now known as Hansen’s Disease was a dreaded disease back in biblical times.  There was no cure, and the method of transmission was not well understood.  Individuals suspected of having leprosy were shunned from their family and community.  They were required to shout “unclean unclean” anytime they were close to people.  As a psychologist I am concerned about the impact this had upon  their self worth and esteem.  To make matters worse, there was no clear diagnostic criteria, so anyone with a skin issue, hives, eczema, or even acne ran the risk of receiving a diagnosis of leprosy.  Because of this lack of clarity, it is not surprising that we read that leprosy was mentioned so often in the Bible.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn today’s Gospel Jesus is asked by his disciples on how to increase their faith.  It looks like the disciples are finally understanding the ministry of Jesus.  Remember the story of the rich young man found in Matthew 19:16 who asks Jesus what does he need to do to inherit eternal life?  It was a fair question but where is the focus?   The rich young man was focussed on getting what he wants.  The question on how to increase one’s faith is focussed on deepening the relationship between Jesus and the disciples.  That question alone indicates spiritual growth and understanding of the ministry of Jesus.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn today’s Gospel, Jesus shares a profoundly interesting parable. I would like to examine it further and in detail.  In the parable, Jesus introduces the rich man, we do not know his name, but he wears purple, the color of royalty and feasts, not just on special holidays but every day.  We then learn about Lazarus, a poor man.  Unlike the rich man, Lazarus has a name.  We would expect people to describe the rich man as the one having the name, but we know Jesus frequently reversed social order to make a point or have his listeners see the issue from a unique perspective.  Remember the line in Matthew 20:16, “the first shall be last and the last shall be first”. Lazarus is very hungry and longed to feed on the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table.   Notice that Lazarus never speaks throughout.  He is the example of the poor and voiceless in our society.  The rich man likely knew about the state Lazarus was in as Lazarus lived on his doorstep not somewhere on the other side of town.  We know the only friends Lazarus had were the dogs who licked his sores.  Dogs usually lick the people they like and bite or growl at the people they do not like.The contrast between Lazarus and the rich man are clear and profound.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailToday's Gospel highlights the importance of consistency and faithfulness, even in the small things. I find Jesus’ teaching about serving two masters particularly thought-provoking. Often, it feels like we have more than two masters competing for our time and energy. From my perspective, many people drift away from their faith not out of rejection of God, but because other responsibilities and distractions take priority. Family, career, and community are just a few of the demands that require our attention. While dedicating ourselves to these is certainly valuable, there are additional aspects of our lives that also deserve careful consideration.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailToday’s Gospel from John focusses on a conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus.  To give you some important background information, Nicodemus was a Pharisee.  Scripture scholars remind us that despite the negative portrayal of Pharisees in the Gospels not all the Pharisees were against Jesus.  Yes, there was a small group that were against Jesus and looked for every opportunity to discredit him.  But, there were a few like Nicodemus who were drawn to Jesus’s message and wanted to understand his ministry.  Of course, there was likely a larger group who were quite indifferent to Jesus and his message.  One of the points I am trying to make is that Nicodemus was different from the usual followers of Jesus.  He was well educated in Jewish law and was dedicated to grow in his faith. Jesus challenges Nicodemus in a very different way.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailFor someone not familiar with Jesus’ style of teaching this Gospel would be shocking.  I suspect the Gospel would be shocking for the first listeners. It completely contradicts the 5th commandment about honouring one’s parents Exodus 20:12.  While there are no actual scriptural references from Jesus there are Gospel references of Jesus showing love to his parents. In Luke 2:48-51, Jesus as a boy shows respect and honour to Mary and Joseph, his earthly parents by returning to them after being found in the temple and submitting to their authority. In John 19:26-27, from the cross, Jesus shows care and concern for his mother by entrusting her to the disciple John, demonstrating his protective love. We have talked about this style of teaching before.  Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailToday’s Gospel begins with Jesus accepting an invitation to dine with one of the leading Pharisees. During this gathering, Jesus shares a teaching inspired by His observations that challenges the conventional understanding of social status. He emphasizes a reversal of worldly status through humility. But what exactly did Jesus mean by humility?Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailLuke’s Gospel is very typical of Jesus style.  We have read events where Jesus takes an accepted view, custom, or perception and reinterprets into something different.  Often when Jesus is asked a question, he invites the questioner into a deeper meaning.  What exactly did Jesus mean when he talks about the narrow gate.  Let’s look further.  Jesus asks if many will be saved.  Likely behind that question is the more personal question, Will I be saved?  The question is a result of the individual’s uncertainty and maybe a bit of fear.  Unfortunately for many, the cornerstone of their faith is rooted in fear that they will be judged as not meeting to what they perceive as God’s demanding and arbitrary standards.  No wonder they find loving God difficult or their relationship with Him irrelevant.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThis passage might seem surprising—even unsettling. Here, we don’t see the serene, peaceful Jesus, but instead a passionate figure intensely devoted to his mission and faith. I believe Jesus is speaking metaphorically when he refers to fire—using it to symbolize the fervor and intensity he expects in our faith lives. He was not passionate about a lukewarm faith. In Revelation 3:14-16, Jesus rebukes the church in Laodicea precisely for their half-hearted devotion.Jesus knew faith wasn’t always going to bring peace. History is full of conflicts between religious groups, and even today, faith can stir up internal struggles as we grapple with conscience and the demands of modern life. Jesus even warns of conflict within families—something that, sadly, many of us know: religious convictions can unite, but also divide families. Feeling unsupported by loved ones can be especially painful.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn this Gospel we learn that the Father is pleased to give you the kingdom, this is incredible!  The kingdom is given, not earned but a free gift.   This is not the only such reference,  in Luke 13:29 we read that "people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God,".  Jesus says this before his death and resurrection.  God knows that love cannot be forced nor develop in fear.  This is the Good News!  Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailWe have someone asking Jesus to help settle his case, to judge the merits of an inheritance dispute.  Jesus does not take the bait and makes it clear to the individual that he is not here to judge.  This is a valuable reminder to people who so often see God as one who judges and punishes.  Jesus is very clear about his role.  Jesus tells a parable of a man with a bountiful harvest who decides to store his grain and live well for a few years.  No one can blame him for wanting to take it easy.  He is given an opportunity, and he takes it, what then is the issue?  Actually, there are several issues.Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThe disciples of Jesus note that John the Baptist has taught his disciples to pray.  They had likely seen Jesus pray or go off to a lonely place to pray so they are curious.  Jesus gives them direction and insight into prayer.  These “instructions” have become a prayer, the well know  Lord’s Prayer or the Our Father. Prayer is very important for growth in our spiritual life.  Before I talk about prayer, I invite you to reflect on why you want to pray.  My second question is related; how do you know that you have been praying?  Finally, what are the obstacles to your prayer life?Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailMary, Martha and their brother Lazarus were friends of Jesus and they are frequently mentioned in the Gospels.  We don’t have any record of anythng that Lazarus said but he is one of the three people in the Gospels that Jesus raised from the dead. The biblical record identifies these three explicit resurrection miracles performed by Jesus before his own resurrection. The story of Mary and Martha has often been used to justify the position that contemplation is more important than service.  I am not sure that is the most accurate interpretation. Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailIn today’s Gospel Jesus is asked by a lawyer what must he do to inherit eternal life.  The question is direct and honest, unlike many of the questions of the Pharisees and Sadducees that are often multi layered and are intended to trap Jesus rather learn from him.  Jesus answers directly by asking him about the Law.  This was understandable as the man was a lawyer.  The man goes further and asks Jesus who is his neighbour.  Jesus answers him with a parable that has become one of the most well-known of all his parables, the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Jesus mentions that a priest and Levite walked by and did not help.  You would expect them to help you.  But they did not.  As a priest I am saddened, likely they did not want to touch him as his blood would make them ritually unclean.  It is disappointing that their self-concern prevented them from offering to help the man in need.  The biggest shock of all to the first listeners would be the man who helped him was a Samaritan.  I am sure this shocked many people. I recognize that the decision to help is not as straight forward and that helping can be inconvenient and sometimes will cost us.  Living this parable may not be as easy as we would like.  Sometime we have to put boundaries and limits around how we can help Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThis story is unusual because we have two distinct parts.  The first part focusses on the advice Jesus gives his disciples and the second part focusses upon their return.    When the 72 return,, they are rejoicing after what appears to be a most successful mission..  They are excited about what they saw.   It is noteworthy that the first thing the 72 disciples share is about their power.  The evil spirits were subservient to them.  Jesus redirects them and points out that they should be more excited as their names are listed in heaven.  Yes, its power over evil but we are still talking about power.   I am reminded of the phrase attributed to Lord Acton in 1887, "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely".  Lord Acton was a 19th-century British historian and moralist.  Jesus was aware that power can undermine spiritual growth.  Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailWho is Jesus for you?Jesus asked this question to his disciples.  We all know by now that when Jesus asks a question, he already knows the answer and a teaching follows.  Today’s reading is no  exception.  Jesus asks his disciples “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”   Jesus gets a variety of answers, most people think he is a prophet who has resurrected from the dead.  Jesus responds with a new question and takes the questioning to a deeper level as He askes, “Who do YOU say that I am?”. Your answer matters!Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailToday, our podcast focusses on one of the multiplication of loaves miracles.  Luke begins describing the story with Jesus  healing those who needed to be cured.  It appears it’s the end of the day, so the disciples want to send the people into the villages to get something to eat and possibly seek lodging. Rather than sending the people away Jesus suggests that the disciples feed them.  This is a beautiful example of when the divine meets our earthly understanding.  Everything for Jesus is a teachable moment.  The disciples answer him literally, just five loaves and two fish, certainly not enough to feed 5,000 people.  They offer another solution of buying the food, but they realize they do not have the resources for this.  The lesson is clear; often a human solution is not enough, and we need the intervention of the Spirit.  Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailThe opening section of this Gospel brings to mind 1 Corinthians 13:11, where Paul uses the metaphor of childhood to describe spiritual immaturity: “When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put away childish things.” Spiritual immaturity refers to a stage in which a believer has not yet developed a mature understanding or practice of faith. It is characterized by a lack of discernment between sound doctrine and false teachings, as well as difficulty applying biblical truths in daily life. Spiritually immature believers may exhibit behaviors such as jealousy, strife, selfishness, and a worldly mindset, rather than reflecting Christlike character.Spiritual immaturity is a natural stage in the Christian journey—no one is born spiritually mature—but Scripture urges believers not to remain in this state. It is important to note that spiritual immaturity is not limited to children; many adults also struggle with it. Complete our 1 Minute Survey

Send us Fan MailTo help us understand the Holy Spirit, the reading begins by emphasizing God’s love for us—a recurring and familiar theme in John’s Gospel.Love inherently involves vulnerability. The more deeply we love, the more at risk we are to being hurt. This vulnerability makes trust essential in any relationship. Trust can be given or earned, and violations of trust can sometimes be irreparable. Conversely, trust built through consistent caring and faithfulness strengthens relationships, though some may find it harder to build trust due to past wounds. The Gospel speaks of a profound intimacy between God and those who love Him. Jesus often seeks out those who do not yet know Him, but today’s focus is on His longing to be with His people. Complete our 1 Minute Survey