As with the last two chapters, Jesus is once again in full teaching mode. We remain in the time between the last supper and the Passion as Jesus continues to give final instructions to his disciples. In chapter fifteen, Jesus gave me an image of a grape vine to focus on during my contemplation. InContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 16: On Tribulation and Joy”
Author Archives: Tim Short
Journey thru John, Chapter 15: The Fruits of Penance
In the last reflection, I noted that 28 of 31 verses in chapter 14 in my bible were in red, indicating Jesus was speaking and teaching the entire chapter. This made it hard to enter the scene because there was little description of the setting where this teaching was taking place. In chapter fifteen, everyContinue reading “Journey thru John, Chapter 15: The Fruits of Penance”
Chapter 10: Conclusion
The Acts of the Apostles, 14: 8-10: In Lystra there sat a man who was lame. He had been that way from birth and had never walked. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed and called out; “Stand up on your feet!” At that, theContinue reading “Chapter 10: Conclusion”
Chapter Nine: Discerning the Will of God
The Gospel of John 6:29: Jesus answered,“The work of God is this; to believe in the one he has sent.” The Gospel of John 6:38-40: For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, thatContinue reading “Chapter Nine: Discerning the Will of God”
Chapter Eight A: The Will of God and Political Freedom
(This short reflection was originally included in the main body of chapter eight. In review, I decided it did not fit well, so I excised it. But, given the references to current culture in other places, I thought it was still relevant. So here it is on its own. If it is objectionable, hopefully itContinue reading “Chapter Eight A: The Will of God and Political Freedom”
Chapter Eight: The Will of God and the Example of Jesus
The Gospel of Matthew, 7:21-27: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons andContinue reading “Chapter Eight: The Will of God and the Example of Jesus”
Chapter Seven: God’s Will in Adversity
The Gospel of Mark, Chapter 10: 29-31: “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along withContinue reading “Chapter Seven: God’s Will in Adversity”
Chapter Six A: Examples of the Teaching of Jesus on Spiritual Poverty
I have asserted in the reflection just concluded that the gospels in their entirety can be seen as an expression of Jesus’ devotion to Spiritual Poverty. As a bit of proof, here is a short addendum based on chapter ten of the gospel of Mark, which is the gospel chapter I was contemplating as IContinue reading “Chapter Six A: Examples of the Teaching of Jesus on Spiritual Poverty”
Chapter Six: Spiritual Poverty
The Gospel of Mark, 12:41-44: Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him,Continue reading “Chapter Six: Spiritual Poverty”
Chapter Five: Self-Denial
The Gospel of Mark, 9:13-15: They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the twelve and said, “If anyone wants to beContinue reading “Chapter Five: Self-Denial”
OFS Ongoing 