The Israelites who hear the prophet’s ringing, joyful proclamation must scoff. The city is in ruins; the possibility of rebuilding the nation must seem ridiculous. To such demoralized people, needing a...

How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” What a tender and helpless image! What...

The first verse of this text says, “At that very hour.” What hour? The hour when Jesus, while making his way to Jerusalem, is casting out demons and curing the sick....

Paul encourages his sisters and brothers “to stand firm in the Lord in this way.” What way does he mean? First Paul advises them to imitate him. But wait; Paul’s conversion...

The psalmist’s life has been anything but a bed of roses. He has been beset by trouble, ravaged by war, pursued by enemies, and victimized by violence and false testimony. Even...

When my sister was dying, her son asked her, “Mom, if you were granted one wish, what would that be?” With the small voice she had left after undergoing three surgeries...

Abram is old and childless; his wife, Sarai, is well beyond childbearing age. Abram cannot believe that his own child will be his heir and that his descendants will outnumber the...

The Lord comes to Abram “after these things.” After what things? The verses immediately preceding tell us that Abram has come from battle with those who captured his nephew. The Lord...

Reflecting on the temptations of Jesus can be difficult. They touch on our human desires to eat, to have power, and to be immortal. We all feel these desires at one...

When we read these verses of the book of Isaiah and reflect on our world today, we have no choice but to conclude that these words are as relevant today as...