Advent season begins today and it serves as preparation for the different comings of Jesus- His coming in history, His coming at the end of time (in majesty), and even His coming in the present time (in mystery). Today’s gospel comes from chapter 13 of Mark which talks about the eschatological time and points to
The word “thronos” (θρόνος), translated as a throne, is easily associated with a seat of power especially of the kings. As the Church honors Christ the King on this last Sunday of the liturgical year, today’s gospel (Mt 25:31-46) refers to him as the Son of Man coming “to sit on his glorious throne” (v31).
Today’s gospel (Mt 25:14-30) is the third in a series of parables dealing with the proper attitude to, and behavior in, the face of the coming Son of Man with the theme of judgment. Called the parable of the talents (cf Lk 19:11-27; Mk 4:25), a typical wealthy landowner is about to go on a
Beginning Chapter 24 of the gospel of Matthew Jesus begins to prepare his disciples for what is to come (24:—25:46). The imminent destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple becomes a metaphor for the final judgment at the close of the age, a warning and encouragement to be constantly in a state of preparedness for the
Today’s gospel (Mt 23:1-12) is the beginning of the chapter that contains Jesus’ strongest words against the scribes and Pharisees (vv13-36, the seven woes), bringing to a close Jesus’ dealings with them and their teachings, (which started from 21:23). Addressing the crowds and his disciples, Jesus warns them to beware of the ways of these
The episode in Mt 22:34-40 is the third of the continuous “game of challenge and riposte” between Jesus and the Pharisees (Ch 22-23). The question posed was meant to test Jesus, (v.35; cf v15; but see the less confrontational context in Mark 12:28 where Jesus is approached by a friendly scribe while in Luke 10:25
After Jesus made some scathing condemnations against the Pharisees in the controversy between them (Mt 21-23), the Pharisees continued to engage Jesus hoping to upend him. Today’s gospel (23:15-21) is the first of their three attempts (vv22-42). At the outset, the malicious intent of the Pharisees is pronounced: “pagideuō” (παγιδεύω), a verb associated with the
