Jesus let the devil tempt him just as we are tempted, though he did not sin.  Hence, he can feel for us who are weak, and lift us up. James makes clear that God does not tempt us.  We are tempted by our own evil desire. Today’s first reading and gospel, though,...

Jesus, who is in the bosom of the Father and knows him up close, shows us the divine face.  He wants us to be perfect as our Father. It is quite clear what it means to be perfect as our Father in heaven:  to go beyond what the law and the prophets command and forbid. ...

Jesus is the most blessed of those who are blessed since they fulfill what God wants.  And he is the way that leads to God, and to bliss and peace. There is much we yet have to do to fulfill Christ’s wish that all Christians be one.  And that we let others know by our...

Jesus is the great light that shines on those who walk in the dark.  He is the delight of those who live in the land of gloom. As God’s wisdom, Jesus rejoices in the earth and finds his delight in humans (see Prov 8, 31).  And, of course, for him to be with us also...

Jesus is the Son through whom God has spoken to us humans in these last days.  We Christians are to approach and hear him, and be what he says. God wanted the Israelites to prepare for his coming down to Mount Sinai to give them the law.  He told them, through Moses,...

Jesus is the one the Lord God has anointed with the Holy Spirit and has sent to preach the Good News to the poor. In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  And the sacred writers and wise holy men and women bring them to light for us to see.  We...

Jesus is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.  We are to fix our gaze on him and give witness to him. And we thank God for revealing this to John the Baptist and for sending him to give witness to it.  May God give us now the grace to take a long and...

Jesus shows us his glory and mercy.  Such epiphany makes known that the time has come to disrupt things as they now are.  Magi from the east show up in Jerusalem.  And the question they ask turns out to undermine the powers that be.  For it troubles King Herod greatly...

The baby lying in the manger bears the name Jesus and is Mary’s Son.  He calls us to hold dear all that we hear and see about him. The Savior of the world shows he is as though no one and nothing as just a child (SV.EN VI:170).  A baby, yes, like other babies that...

Jesus is the Savior, Messiah and Lord.  To know and accept him, we first have to contemplate the baby lying in the manger. One can take it, for sure, that the shepherds cannot bear contemplate the very bright light that shine around them.  For great fear strikes them....