The patriarch David . . . foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ Think about a priest giving a homily about the resurrection of Christ.   You would likely expect him to talk about the empty tomb and the victory Jesus won over sin.   But in today’s reading (Acts 2:29, 31), Peter talks about something different.   He says the resurrection proves that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. Why? Put yourself back into first-century...

I have given you a model to follow Look at the contrast.   The apostles were arguing with each other at the Last Supper, while Jesus was on his knees washing their feet. The washing of the feet was not a new practice invented by Jesus.   It was commonly practiced whenever a person entered a house after a journey.   Typically, family members and their guests would wash their own feet.   But wealthy people had slaves to do the washing for them....

Keep me in Perfect Peace “I gave my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who plucked my beard.” (Isaiah 50:6) Amazing, isn’t it?   This one single verse sounds so much like Jesus’ passion—and not just the event of his scourging at the pillar.   The humility and generosity of the servant in this verse beautifully captures Jesus’ heart as he endured his entire arrest, trial, and crucifixion. Imagine what Jesus must have felt...

One of you will betray me If you’ve ever been betrayed, you know how painful it is.   You placed your love and trust in someone very close to you.   Now that person has irreparably damaged your relationship.   How could they have done such a thing? Jesus too experienced the pain of betrayal.   Scripture tells us that as he thought about what Judas was about to do, Jesus became “deeply troubled” (John 13:21).   Judas had stuck with him for so...

They gave a dinner for him Imagine hosting a dinner party to say “Thank you” to a fireman who helped save your life.  You welcome him into your home and ask what you can get him to drink; you want to do everything you can to show your gratitude.  Later on, when there’s a pause in the conversation, you try to express how much it means to have him there—the man who gave your life back to you.  But you can’t say enough.  Words fall short. We all...

My dwelling shall be with them We all know what it’s like to make room in our homes for a new arrival, whether a new baby, a child returning from college, or an ailing parent.   We rearrange furniture, do some extra cleaning, and maybe redecorate—usually with some anxiety about the coming change in our lives. In today’s first reading (Ezekiel 37:27), Ezekiel is speaking of God’s plan to bring Israel back from exile.   God’s glorious presence...