Jesus is always in his Church. Yes, he is in the midst of those who gather together in his name by the initiative of...
Ross Dizon
Deny Themselves, Bear Their Own Cross, Follow Christ
Jesus is all things to all. He leads those who live for others and deny themselves. For they do not seek their own...
All Things to All so as to Save All
Jesus is the Teacher who shows us by words and by works what it means to become all things to all for the sake of God’s kingdom.
Commandments that Make Love Known
Jesus embodies love. And he sees to it that we catch this love. Hence, he gives us commandments that will lead us to love as he loves. Jesus loves his own who are in the world not in theory but in practice. And he does so before he teaches them his commandments; he...
Branches that Remain on the Vine
Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches. That we remain in him, and he in us, is what makes us bear much fruit. In Ps 80, the Shepherd of Israel is asked to bring back his people. This people started out as a vine that God brought out of Egypt and transplanted. ...
Lead God’s Flock in the Same Way as Jesus
Jesus shows what God does to lead his flock. And so, he also gives a model for his shepherds. The crowds longed for someone to lead them out of the mess, a Messiah to guide a people in trouble. But they ended up disappointed since they did not want a suffering...
Misgivings, Doubts, Questions, Darkness
Jesus was once dead, but now he lives forever and ever (Rev 1, 18). For God raised him from the dead. May our misgivings not lead us to deny him. It is hard to get rid of misgivings. And misgivings can easily arise even in the hearts of the disciples. But...
Joyful to See the Lord in Their Midst
The risen Christ stands in the midst of his disciples and wishes them peace. He shows them his hands and his side. And they turn joyful. The disciples are not at all joyful after the death of Jesus. They are even broken and hopeless. For not only do they miss their...
Attest that Jesus Is among the Living
Jesus has risen and has appeared to his disciples. He chooses them as witnesses who will attest that he is alive. The disciples have not seen Jesus rise from the dead. At first, Mary Magdalen can only attest that she has seen the stone removed from the tomb. And for...
Hosannas that Cry Out for Sense and Truthfulness
Jesus is the awaited Messiah from king David’s lineage. That is why, as he enters Jerusalem, the crowds cheer him with hosannas. Jesus does not turn down the hosannas of the crowds, which shows that he is quite aware that he is the Messiah. He shows no inferiority...
Enlighten and Glorify Men and Women
Jesus has come to enlighten the Gentiles and to give glory to Israel (Lk 2, 32). Hence, he cannot but draw all to himself. Scholars say that the accounts of Matthew, Mark and Luke show Jesus as the Suffering Servant. In John, on the other hand, Jesus is kingly and...
Crucified Jesus: Despair and Hope; Death and Life
Jesus, crucified for the wicked is the best proof that God loves us (Rom 5, 8). It is enough for us to gaze on him to believe and live forever. It seems odd to me that the serpent that brings death is the sign of healing (Num 21, 4-9). But Jesus goes along with the...
