259 total views
259 total views In Hebrew teaching, love and respect for the law are unmatched. Jesus’ opening statement in today’s gospel (Mt 5:17-20) reflects this posture, a very positive attitude toward upholding the abiding validity of the law until the visible universe will be no more. He came to fulfill it (v17). “ plēroō “ ( πληρῶσαι
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313 total views In the biblical period clay ovens were a common fixture next to some houses along the roadside, (some of which remain even to this day). And since villagers were often members of a very large, extended family, these common ovens were family ovens. The common fuel for the oven then was something more
382 total views
382 total views In his gospel, Matthew gathered scattered pieces of Jesus’ teaching and crafted them into a sermon delivered on a mount (ch 5-7); while Luke (6:17-49) reports an abbreviated version in a similar sermon delivered by Jesus on a plain. They both begin with the Beatitudes (cf below s1S#71 2/13/22). The first beatitude is
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228 total views The Synoptic gospels make it clear that Jesus does not begin his ministry until the Baptizer has completed his while in John’s gospel he begins it before the Baptist’s imprisonment, (Mt 4:12f; Mk 1:14f; Lk 3:20; John 1:29f). In today’s gospel, (Mt 4:12- 23), Jesus moves to Capernaum, a larger crossroads town by
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487 total views The feast of the Sto. Niño is celebrated today, (”only in the Philippines”). And because it is inextricably connected to the child Jesus this confirms that the country has the longest celebration of Christmas, (beginning September even; cf s1S#67 1/16/22). Today’s gospel from Mathew (18:1-5, 10), which followed the itinerary set by Mark
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242 total views The solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord celebrated today is earlier and still popularly known as The Three Kings. But they are identified more appropriately by scholars as Magi, (cf s1S#65). The story of their visit is found only in the gospel of Matthew (2:1-12). Ancient biographers like Plutarch regularly “created” special
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356 total views From the infancy narratives, which are written from a post-Easter theological perspective, it is impossible to determine how much Mary understood at the time of Jesus’ conception and birth. Pregnancy, birth, and choosing a name are great events for a young mother who goes through this experience for the first time. Only mothers
