“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved in whom I delight…” Matthew here gives us an editorial comment regarding Jesus. He refers to the suffering servant song in Isaiah 53. Despite the opposition of the Pharisees, Jesus responds with patient gentleness. The hardness of heart of the Pharisees was prompted by Jesus healing […]

“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.” Three times in this passage we are told not to be afraid. There is a profound psychology in this plea not to fear. Jesus requires his disciples to face their fears, even in the face of persecution, torture or death. […]

“People do not put new wine into old wineskins.” Jesus had a homely way of getting his point across. When Matthew inserted it in this gospel passage he was making the further point that Christianity is the new wine. We have here a striking statement about the creative fermentation of Jesus’ teaching. In a number […]

“Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof…” These words are used during the communion rite, when we acknowledge our unworthiness t have our creator and redeemer come to us as he does. In the gospel passage these words are first uttered by the centurion who had asked Jesus to cure […]

“Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness…” Jesus began this injunction by telling us not to worry about what we are to eat or drink, or what we are to wear. It is so easy to worry about material things and ignore that righteousness that comes only from God. Jesus wants us to […]

“Let your ‘Yes’ mean ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No’ mean ‘No.‘ Anything more is from the Evil One.” Thus did Jesus tell us how we were to obey the Old Testament injunction not to take false oaths. His teaching here goes far beyond taking false oaths to tell us that our speech should be simple and […]

Memorial of the Immaculate Heart of Mary “Son, why have you done this to us?” This reproachful question, addressed to Jesus by Mary when he was found in the Temple after three days of frantic searching, reveals the depth of her love and concern. She had no idea what might have happened to Jesus. Her […]

“Neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things.” This seems like a hard saying on the part of Jesus. The chief priests, elders, and Pharisees had asked Jesus on what authority he did the things he was doing, and this is the answer they received. Of course Jesus had asked them […]

“People were bringing children to Jesus that he might touch them…” What a beautiful picture to carry away about the humanity of Jesus: taking the children in his arms and blessing them. The disciples try to hinder the people from bringing the children. Jesus tells them that they should themselves learn from them how to […]