Posts Tagged ‘Gospel of Luke’

They Laughed at Jesus

Luke was not only an evangelist, but also an excellent journalist.   In his account of how Jesus restored life to Jairus’ daughter, Luke included the reaction of the crowd that laughed at Jesus before he performed this miracle: “they ridiculed him.”   Despite the crowd’s derision, Jesus brought the twelve-year-old girl back ...Read More

Mary Magdalene: Apostle of the Apostles

Model Preacher, Evangelizer and Friend of Jesus   A good friend of mine, a no-nonsense man of deep integrity and dynamic faith, was once falsely accused of a crime and was eventually acquitted. He was famously quoted as asking the judge, “Which office do I go to get my reputation back?” ...Read More

The Jesus Prayer

Early Christians came to understand that the name of Jesus had great power, and that the recitation of his name was itself a form of prayer.   Heeding St. Paul’s guidance to pray without ceasing (Thessalonians 5:17), their ancient, short prayer became known as the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of ...Read More

The Gaze of Mercy

Today is the first day of Advent. In little more than a week, Pope Francis will open the Jubilee Year of Mercy.   Advent has been called Little Lent, because it is a time of repentance in preparation for the celebration of Christ’s birth.   In Greek, “repentance” is metanoia—a “turning.”   The pope’s message ...Read More