As Jesus’ popularity grows, so too do those opposing voices ranged against him. Jesus has worked saving miracles, and now the scribes come from Jerusalem declare that this has not been holy work but rather diabolical. This sounds to modern day listeners to be absurd, although we might wonder at Jesus’ manner as he exorcised demons, and bear in mind that his friends and family thought he had lost his wits and was beside himself. Certainly, the intention of the scribes is to find fault and seize on anything they can to try to vilify Jesus. They are looking to reject the good news and are happy to pervert the truth if they feel by doing so they may harm Jesus [ … ]
The homily reflects the concerns of an early Christian community navigating moral uncertainty, delayed fulfilment, and the practical demands of discipleship. Its tone is pastoral rather than speculative, grounding theological claims in concrete habits of life. The homilist’s central conviction is that the believer’s return to God is both possible and urgent, and that this return takes shape through self-control, repentance, charity, and mutual responsibility within the community [ … ]
The third commandment of the Ten Commandments, ‘Keep holy the Lord’s day,’ is a call to set aside time on a regular basis to rest from one’s daily work and to focus on the worship and service of God. This commandment is often understood to refer to the Christian Sabbath, which is traditionally observed on Sunday, the day of the resurrection of Jesus Christ [ … ]
