tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58060200347932784832022-11-08T08:02:14.659-08:00Biblical Reflections for StudentsReflections of a Theologian on the Lectionary ReadingsDerek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.comBlogger140125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-90454928294253611852014-01-08T18:51:00.001-08:002014-01-08T18:51:33.236-08:00Mark 6:45-52 Explanation of Why Jesus Walks on Water <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After the five thousand had eaten and were satisfied,<br />
Jesus made his disciples get into the boat<br />
and precede him to the other side toward Bethsaida,<br />
while he dismissed the crowd.<br />
And when he had taken leave of them,<br />
he went off to the mountain to pray.<br />
When it was evening,<br />
the boat was far out on the sea and he was alone on shore.<br />
Then he saw that they were tossed about while rowing,<br />
for the wind was against them.<br />
About the fourth watch of the night,<br />
he came toward them walking on the sea.<br />
He meant to pass by them.<br />
But when they saw him walking on the sea,<br />
they thought it was a ghost and cried out.<br />
They had all seen him and were terrified.<br />
But at once he spoke with them,<br />
“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”<br />
He got into the boat with them and the wind died down.<br />
They were completely astounded.<br />
They had not understood the incident of the loaves.<br />
On the contrary, their hearts were hardened.<br />
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The story of Jesus walking on water often presents a problem for modern day Christians. We all know that people cannot walk on water. So the question is did he really walk on water or is it some type of literary device of the evangelist? Some believe that Jesus' walking on water is a demonstration of his divinity. He is one member of the divine Godhead, therefore capable of supernatural abilities. Other scholars believe it is simply a story by the evangelist that highlights his virtue. In ancient greek biographies, virtuous people are able to walk on water since they are not weighed down by sin. This can be seen in the biography of Apollos who is able to heal the blind, cure the sick, and walk on water. What is important, is not whether Jesus walked on water, but the spiritual meaning of the story. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-56924902991033519402014-01-05T19:47:00.000-08:002014-01-05T19:47:36.803-08:00Matthew 2:1-12 Who are the three wise men?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">in the days of King Herod, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We saw his star at its rising</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and have come to do him homage.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When King Herod heard this,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">he was greatly troubled, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and all Jerusalem with him.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">for thus it has been written through the prophet:</span><br />
<em style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,<br style="font-size: 12px;" />are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;<br style="font-size: 12px;" />since from you shall come a ruler,<br style="font-size: 12px;" />who is to shepherd my people Israel.”</em><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Then Herod called the magi secretly </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He sent them to Bethlehem and said, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“Go and search diligently for the child.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When you have found him, bring me word, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">that I too may go and do him homage.”</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">After their audience with the king they set out.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">They were overjoyed at seeing the star, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and on entering the house</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">they saw the child with Mary his mother.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">They prostrated themselves and did him homage.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Then they opened their treasures </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">they departed for their country by another way.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">In this passage we see that Matthew, unlike Luke, has Magi, or Wise men visit Jesus instead of poor shepherds. What is significant is that Matthew is highlighting Jesus' royal lineage. In Matthew's account he is brought expensive treasures of gold, myrrh and frankincense. Some scholars believe these wise men, or magoi (greek), are likely priests from the Zoroastrianism tradition since the term magoi describes a Zoroastrian priest. </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Tradition holds that these wise men from the East are named: </span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Melchior, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Casper, and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Balthazar. In reality no one really knows the identity of the wise men or if there were even wise men. What is clear is that Matthew's theological framework of portraying Jesus as the King of the Jews explains the presence of Maggi in his birth narrative. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-38674523348689106352014-01-04T16:38:00.001-08:002014-01-04T16:38:57.217-08:00John 1:35-42: Come, and you will see<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">John was standing with two of his disciples,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“Behold, the Lamb of God.”</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The two disciples heard what he said and followed Jesus.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“What are you looking for?”</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher),</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“where are you staying?”</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He said to them, “Come, and you will see.”</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">So they went and saw where he was staying,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and they stayed with him that day.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">It was about four in the afternoon.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He first found his own brother Simon and told him,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“We have found the Messiah,” which is translated Christ.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Then he brought him to Jesus.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Jesus looked at him and said,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“You are Simon the son of John;</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">you will be called Cephas,” which is translated Peter.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This passage records the call of Peter. Jesus calls his disciples to "come and see". This is significant because Jesus leads by example. The disciples are not forced. They are free to choose to follow or not. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Like Peter, we are often called by Jesus. Jesus invites us to serve and mission with him. It is up to us to respond to his call. We will not be forced. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span>Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-77192416798995251422014-01-03T11:08:00.001-08:002014-01-03T11:08:39.022-08:00John 1:28 - 34: The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him and said,<br />
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.<br />
He is the one of whom I said,<br />
‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me<br />
because he existed before me.’<br />
I did not know him,<br />
but the reason why I came baptizing with water<br />
was that he might be made known to Israel.”<br />
John testified further, saying,<br />
“I saw the Spirit come down like a dove from the sky<br />
and remain upon him.<br />
I did not know him,<br />
but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me,<br />
‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain,<br />
he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’<br />
Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”</div>
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The significance of John, placing the baptism at the beginning of his narrative, highlights the importance of this event. What is clear from the story is that Christ receives the Holy Spirit and is commissioned not by water but with the spirit. One element to note is this idea of ascending and descending. Here the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus so that he is elevated as the Messiah. What is made clear in the story is that ministry cannot begin without baptism. Therefor baptism is the universal call to service. </div>
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Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-86364894083603059902014-01-02T07:07:00.001-08:002014-01-03T11:12:43.191-08:00John 1:19-28: Who is John the Baptist?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is the testimony of John. <br />
When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to him<br />
to ask him, “Who are you?”<br />
He admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,<br />
“I am not the Christ.” <br />
So they asked him,<br />
“What are you then? Are you Elijah?” <br />
And he said, “I am not.” <br />
“Are you the Prophet?”<br />
He answered, “No.” <br />
So they said to him,<br />
“Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? <br />
What do you have to say for yourself?”<br />
He said:<br />
“I am the voice of one crying out in the desert,<br />
‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’<br />
as Isaiah the prophet said.” <br />
Some Pharisees were also sent. <br />
They asked him,<br />
“Why then do you baptize<br />
if you are not the Christ or Elijah or the Prophet?” <br />
John answered them,<br />
“I baptize with water;<br />
but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,<br />
the one who is coming after me,<br />
whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” <br />
This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,<br />
where John was baptizing.</div>
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Who is John the Baptist? It is clear from the Gospel of John that there was some confusion as to who he was. Some thought he was a prophet, others claimed he was Elijah, and most importantly some thought he was the Messiah himself. To better understand this problem read Matthew and Luke's account. John's introduction is a clarification as to who he is. It is also clear that John has a title, 'the Baptist'. This is because if it was simply a description of what he did, he would be called John the baptizer. It is clear from the text John's role is to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. <br />
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Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-70312829400946322072014-01-01T20:42:00.001-08:002014-01-02T22:17:34.323-08:00Luke 2:16-21<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The shepherds went in haste to Bethlehem and found Mary and Joseph,</div>
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and the infant lying in the manger.<br />
When they saw this,<br />
they made known the message <br />
that had been told them about this child.<br />
All who heard it were amazed<br />
by what had been told them by the shepherds.<br />
And Mary kept all these things,<br />
reflecting on them in her heart.<br />
Then the shepherds returned,<br />
glorifying and praising God<br />
for all they had heard and seen, <br />
just as it had been told to them.</div>
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When eight days were completed for his circumcision,<br />
he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel<br />
before he was conceived in the womb.</div>
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This passage is significant because the ones to glorify the birth of the messiah are not kings or important people but poor shepherds. This reminds us that the birth of Messiah is not for the rich and powerful but for the poor. </div>
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Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-24343294957607193662013-03-31T06:52:00.003-07:002013-03-31T06:52:12.552-07:00christ is risen alleluia alleluia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Christ is risen - alleluia alleluia. Happy Easter!</div>
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-88849208458293451162013-02-09T07:39:00.002-08:002013-02-09T07:39:56.613-08:00Holy Icons, and Paintings from the Louvre <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-44156692893096159452012-12-26T06:25:00.001-08:002012-12-26T06:25:14.790-08:00Matthew 2:1-12 Epiphany of our Lord: The Visitation of the Magi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">in the days of King Herod, </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“Where is the newborn king of the Jews?</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">We saw his star at its rising</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and have come to do him homage.”</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When King Herod heard this,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">he was greatly troubled, </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and all Jerusalem with him.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Assembling all the chief priests and the scribes of the people, </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">for thus it has been written through the prophet:</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><em style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,<br style="font-size: 12px;" />are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;<br style="font-size: 12px;" />since from you shall come a ruler,<br style="font-size: 12px;" />who is to shepherd my people Israel.”</em><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Then Herod called the magi secretly </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and ascertained from them the time of the star’s appearance.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He sent them to Bethlehem and said, </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">“Go and search diligently for the child.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When you have found him, bring me word, </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">that I too may go and do him homage.”</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">After their audience with the king they set out.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">And behold, the star that they had seen at its rising preceded them, </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">until it came and stopped over the place where the child was.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">They were overjoyed at seeing the star, </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and on entering the house</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">they saw the child with Mary his mother.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">They prostrated themselves and did him homage.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Then they opened their treasures </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, </span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">they departed for their country by another way.</span><br />
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<em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif; font-size: x-small;">In this passage we are reminded of Jesus' divine kingship. Here Matthew has crafted the birth narrative to high light Jesus' Davidic heritage Instead of poor shepherd, he is venerated by wise men from the East and given gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Little is known about these wise men. Tradition names them Balthazar, Melchoir, and Caspar. Above the Church of the Nativity, is a mosaic depicting the three wise men. According to tradition, the reason the Church of the Nativity was spared from destruction by the Persians is because they recognized the wise men as being their ancestors. </span></em><br />
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<em style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></em>Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-58293641020017544712012-12-23T16:31:00.002-08:002012-12-23T16:31:43.897-08:00Matthew 1:18-25 For unto us a child is born!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P39XTANAd-4/UNegVCnwLBI/AAAAAAAAECs/luTZBBlGpzc/s1600/infant-jesus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P39XTANAd-4/UNegVCnwLBI/AAAAAAAAECs/luTZBBlGpzc/s320/infant-jesus.jpg" width="268" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">but before they lived together,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">yet unwilling to expose her to shame,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">decided to divorce her quietly.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Such was his intention when, behold,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">"Joseph, son of David,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">For it is through the Holy Spirit</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">that this child has been conceived in her.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">because he will save his people from their sins."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">All this took place to fulfill</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">what the Lord had said through the prophet:</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><em style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,</em><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><em style="border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">and they shall name him Emmanuel,</em><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">which means "God is with us."</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">When Joseph awoke,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and took his wife into his home.</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">He had no relations with her until she bore a son,</span><br style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and he named him Jesus.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Rejoice the Lord is King! In this passage, Matthew depicts the birth of Jesus in a radically different way than Luke. Here, Joseph and Mary live in Bethlehem and Jesus is born in a house. This is significant because in the Gospel of Luke, Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem and Jesus is born in a manger. It is clear that the theological significance of Jesus' origins in Bethlehem is his relationship with the house of David. Bethlehem was the town of David and his family. The birth in Bethlehem links Jesus with the house of David and fulfills Micah 5:2</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“But you, Bethlehem</span><sup class="crossreference" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-22636B" title="See cross-reference B">B</a>)"></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ephrathah,</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Mic-5-2" style="position: relative;">though you are small among the clans<sup class="footnote" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV-22636b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Micah+5&version=NIV#fen-NIV-22636b" style="color: #b37162; text-decoration: initial; vertical-align: top;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> of Judah,</span></div>
</span><span class="text Mic-5-2" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;"><div style="text-align: center;">
out of you will come for me</div>
</span><span class="indent-1" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Mic-5-2" style="position: relative;">one who will be ruler<sup class="crossreference" style="font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;" value="(<a href="#cen-NIV-22636D" title="See cross-reference D">D</a>)"></sup> over Israel,</span></div>
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whose origins are from of old,</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="indent-1-breaks" style="font-family: monospace; line-height: 0;"> </span><span class="text Mic-5-2" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; position: relative;">from ancient times.”</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span></div>
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Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-7549549272137378972012-12-22T05:07:00.004-08:002012-12-22T05:07:55.470-08:00Luke 1:39-45 The Visitation: Mary visits Elizabeth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Mary set out<br />
and traveled to the hill country in haste<br />
to a town of Judah,<br />
where she entered the house of Zechariah<br />
and greeted Elizabeth.<br />
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting,<br />
the infant leaped in her womb,<br />
and Elizabeth, filled with the Holy Spirit,<br />
cried out in a loud voice and said,<br />
"Blessed are you among women,<br />
and blessed is the fruit of your womb.<br />
And how does this happen to me,<br />
that the mother of my Lord should come to me?<br />
For at the moment the sound of your greeting reached my ears,<br />
the infant in my womb leaped for joy.<br />
Blessed are you who believed<br />
that what was spoken to you by the Lord<br />
would be fulfilled."<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
In this passage we see the encounter between Mary, the mother of Christ, with Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Both miracles reveal the glory of God in that Mary is the Theotokos, and Elizabeth, who was old and barren, was able to give birth. This passage shows the divine relationship between Christ and St. John the Baptist.<br />
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Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-51269980130854547302012-12-16T13:31:00.002-08:002012-12-16T13:31:24.669-08:00Luke 3:10-18: I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The crowds asked John the Baptist,<br />
"What should we do?"<br />
He said to them in reply,<br />
"Whoever has two cloaks<br />
should share with the person who has none.<br />
And whoever has food should do likewise."<br />
Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him,<br />
"Teacher, what should we do?"<br />
He answered them,<br />
"Stop collecting more than what is prescribed."<br />
Soldiers also asked him,<br />
"And what is it that we should do?"<br />
He told them,<br />
"Do not practice extortion,<br />
do not falsely accuse anyone,<br />
and be satisfied with your wages."<br /><br />
Now the people were filled with expectation,<br />
and all were asking in their hearts<br />
whether John might be the Christ.<br />
John answered them all, saying,<br />
"I am baptizing you with water,<br />
but one mightier than I is coming.<br />
I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals.<br />
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.<br />
His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor<br />
and to gather the wheat into his barn,<br />
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."<br />
Exhorting them in many other ways,<br />
he preached good news to the people.<br />
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<br />
Today's passage reminds us of the importance of getting ready for the coming of the Messiah. Here, John the Baptist is preparing the way for Christ by baptizing. He baptizes us with water but it is Christ who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. So how are you preparing for the coming of Christ? John the Baptist reminds us that we must share what we have and care for the poor. Faith alone is not enough because a faith divorced from Justice is dead. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-87637874799541213402012-12-16T13:24:00.001-08:002012-12-16T13:24:17.303-08:00Luke 3:1-6: Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,<br />
when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,<br />
and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee,<br />
and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region<br />
of Ituraea and Trachonitis,<br />
and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene,<br />
during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas,<br />
the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert.<br />
John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan,<br />
proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,<br />
as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:<br />
<em>A voice of one crying out in the desert:</em><br />
<em>"Prepare the way of the Lord,</em><br />
<em>make straight his paths.</em><br />
<em>Every valley shall be filled</em><br />
<em>and every mountain and hill shall be made low.</em><br />
<em>The winding roads shall be made straight,</em><br />
<em>and the rough ways made smooth,</em><br />
<em>and all flesh shall see the salvation of God."</em><br />
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<br />
This passage connects Jesus' messiahship with the tradition of John the Baptist. Elizabeth was Mary's cousin who gave birth to John the Baptist. His birth was a miracle because Elizabeth was unable to have children. It is because his role is to prepare the way for Jesus, he is called the forerunner of Christ. <em></em><br />
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<em><br /></em>Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-58043300687379123552012-12-01T08:38:00.002-08:002012-12-01T08:38:08.892-08:00Luke 21:25-28, 34-36: Stay Awake! The Kingdom of God is at hand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Jesus said to his disciples:<br />
"There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars,<br />
and on earth nations will be in dismay,<br />
perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.<br />
People will die of fright<br />
in anticipation of what is coming upon the world,<br />
for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.<br />
And then they will see the Son of Man<br />
coming in a cloud with power and great glory.<br />
But when these signs begin to happen,<br />
stand erect and raise your heads<br />
because your redemption is at hand.<br />
<br />
"Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy<br />
from carousing and drunkenness<br />
and the anxieties of daily life,<br />
and that day catch you by surprise like a trap.<br />
For that day will assault everyone<br />
who lives on the face of the earth.<br />
Be vigilant at all times<br />
and pray that you have the strength<br />
to escape the tribulations that are imminent<br />
and to stand before the Son of Man."<br />
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<br />
This passage is often read in the first week of Advent. Its placement in the Advent readings is appropriate because Advent and Lent mirror each other. The former celebrates the incarnation of the Messiah and the latter celebrates the resurrection, and full realization, of the Messiah. In this passage, the reader is reminded to stay awake and not fall into the trap of complacency. So often in our spiritual lives we forget and get lazy. This passage is a stark reminder to always be ready for the coming of the Kingdom of God. This is a reminder that the Kingdom of God is here but we also wait for its full fruition. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-40943372099883080892012-08-11T14:15:00.003-07:002012-08-11T14:15:51.220-07:00John 6:41-51 Jesus is the Bread of Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />The Jews murmured about Jesus because he said,<br />
<br />
"I am the bread that came down from heaven,"<br />
and they said,<br />
"Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph?<br />
Do we not know his father and mother?<br />
Then how can he say,<br />
'I have come down from heaven?'"<br />
Jesus answered and said to them,<br />
"Stop murmuring among yourselves.<br />
No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him,<br />
and I will raise him on the last day.<br />
It is written in the prophets:<br />
<i>They shall all be taught by God.</i><br />
Everyone who listens to my Father and learns from him comes to me.<br />
Not that anyone has seen the Father<br />
except the one who is from God;<br />
he has seen the Father.<br />
Amen, amen, I say to you,<br />
whoever believes has eternal life.<br />
I am the bread of life.<br />
Your ancestors ate the manna in the desert, but they died;<br />
this is the bread that comes down from heaven<br />
so that one may eat it and not die.<br />
I am the living bread that came down from heaven;<br />
whoever eats this bread will live forever;<br />
and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."<br />
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<br />
In this passage, Jesus establishes the sacrament of the Eucharist by saying: "I am the bread of life." This text has been used to explain the sacrament of the Eucharist. Jesus is the very bead we consume in the mass because Jesus is the primordial sacrament. He is the bread, God's grace made visible in his very person. When we eat the bread, we are participating in the sacrament, remember Jesus' death on the cross, and the incarnation of God to save us from our sins. Jesus is the bread of life. He nourishes us, sustains us, and brings us in communion with God.<br />
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<br />
Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John,<br />
and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves.<br />
And he was transfigured before them,<br />
and his clothes became dazzling white,<br />
such as no fuller on earth could bleach them.<br />
Then Elijah appeared to them along with Moses,<br />
and they were conversing with Jesus.<br />
Then Peter said to Jesus in reply,<br />
"Rabbi, it is good that we are here!<br />
Let us make three tents:<br />
one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."<br />
He hardly knew what to say, they were so terrified.<br />
Then a cloud came, casting a shadow over them;<br />
from the cloud came a voice,<br />
"This is my beloved Son. Listen to him."<br />
Suddenly, looking around, they no longer saw anyone<br />
but Jesus alone with them.<br />
As they were coming down from the mountain,<br />
he charged them not to relate what they had seen to anyone,<br />
except when the Son of Man had risen from the dead.<br />
So they kept the matter to themselves,<br />
questioning what rising from the dead meant.<br />
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<br />
In this passage we get a glimpse of Christ' true nature. He is both fully human and fully divine. He is both a servant of God and a member of the Trinity. Jesus is a prophet, a teacher, a sage, a preacher, and the Son of God. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-4829781405301246452012-08-02T16:52:00.002-07:002012-08-02T16:52:59.343-07:00Matthew 13:54-58 Jesus' Brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.<br />
They were astonished and said,<br />
"Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?<br />
Is he not the carpenter's son'<br />
Is not his mother named Mary<br />
and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas'<br />
Are not his sisters all with us'<br />
Where did this man get all this?"<br />
And they took offense at him.<br />
But Jesus said to them,<br />
"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place<br />
and in his own house."<br />
And he did not work many mighty deeds there<br />
because of their lack of faith.<br />
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<br />
In this passage, we see that Jesus is identified as being the carpenter's son (referring to Joseph), son of Mary, and brother of James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. So the question is are these people his biological brothers or are they extended family like cousins? For some scholars the answer is simple, they are his biological brothers. Their position is that Mary was a virgin prior to Jesus' birth and then after his birth she gave birth to his brothers and sisters. Other scholars believe that Mary was always a virgin and the term brother refers to cousin. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-5684161989758258602012-08-01T10:29:00.004-07:002012-08-01T10:30:01.671-07:00Matthew 13:47-53 The Kingdom of God is like a Net<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Jesus said to the disciples:<br />
"The Kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea,<br />
which collects fish of every kind.<br />
When it is full they haul it ashore<br />
and sit down to put what is good into buckets.<br />
What is bad they throw away.<br />
Thus it will be at the end of the age.<br />
The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous<br />
and throw them into the fiery furnace,<br />
where there will be wailing and grinding of teeth."<br />
"Do you understand all these things?"<br />
They answered, "Yes."<br />
And he replied,<br />
"Then every scribe who has been instructed in the Kingdom of heaven<br />
is like the head of a household who brings from his storeroom<br />
both the new and the old."<br />
When Jesus finished these parables, he went away from there.<br />
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In this passage Jesus makes it clear that the Kingdom of God will sort those who are good from those who are bad. What this means is the Kingdom of God is the true actualization of Justice, the virtue where one receives their due. This is why we must live righteous lives. We must live for the Kingdom and proclaim the good news of Jesus to all the nations. We are called to love. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-80949442285785057102012-07-31T18:36:00.000-07:002012-07-31T18:36:30.141-07:00Matthew 13:44-46 The Kingdom of God is worth selling everything!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Jesus said to his disciples:<br />
"The Kingdom of heaven is like a treasure buried in a field,<br />
which a person finds and hides again,<br />
and out of joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.<br />
Again, the Kingdom of heaven is like a merchant<br />
searching for fine pearls.<br />
When he finds a pearl of great price,<br />
he goes and sells all that he has and buys it."<br />
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In this passage we are reminded that the Kingdom of God is priceless. It is so priceless that when we realize what it is and its true worth, we are willing to disregard our old lives and do everything we can to work for it. The Kingdom of God is so priceless that selling everything to get it represents ending our way of life so we can live a new life in God. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-42557461497444339552012-07-29T07:40:00.002-07:002012-07-29T07:40:39.027-07:00John 6:1-15 Gospel of John and the Role of Signs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Jesus went across the Sea of Galilee.<br />
A large crowd followed him,<br />
because they saw the signs he was performing on the sick.<br />
Jesus went up on the mountain,<br />
and there he sat down with his disciples.<br />
The Jewish feast of Passover was near.<br />
When Jesus raised his eyes<br />
and saw that a large crowd was coming to him,<br />
he said to Philip,<br />
"Where can we buy enough food for them to eat?"<br />
He said this to test him,<br />
because he himself knew what he was going to do.<br />
Philip answered him,<br />
"Two hundred days?' wages worth of food would not be enough<br />
for each of them to have a little.'"<br />
One of his disciples,<br />
Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, said to him,<br />
"There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish;<br />
but what good are these for so many?"<br />
Jesus said, "Have the people recline."<br />
Now there was a great deal of grass in that place.<br />
So the men reclined, about five thousand in number.<br />
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks,<br />
and distributed them to those who were reclining,<br />
and also as much of the fish as they wanted.<br />
When they had had their fill, he said to his disciples,<br />
"Gather the fragments left over,<br />
so that nothing will be wasted."<br />
So they collected them,<br />
and filled twelve wicker baskets with fragments<br />
from the five barley loaves<br />
that had been more than they could eat.<br />
When the people saw the sign he had done, they said,<br />
"This is truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world."<br />
Since Jesus knew that they were going to come and carry him off<br />
to make him king,<br />
he withdrew again to the mountain alone.<br />
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In this passage we see the role of signs in the Gospel of John. Signs, unlike in the synoptic gospels, are used to bring people to faith. They are signs that point to Jesus' relationship to God and illustrate the new relationship with the Kingdom of God. The symbolism of 5 fish and 2 loaves is that they add up to 7 which represents perfection. 7 represents perfection because it recalls the days of creation. The left over baskets which numbered 12 recall the 12 tribes of Israel. The symbolism here is that in the Kingdom of God, you will be nourished.<br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-91121342833524724332012-07-25T10:31:00.003-07:002012-07-25T10:31:49.916-07:00Matthew 20:20-28 Sons of Zebedee and the Christian Paradox<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
The mother of the sons of Zebedee approached Jesus with her sons<br />
and did him homage, wishing to ask him for something.<br />
He said to her,<br />
"What do you wish?"<br />
She answered him,<br />
"Command that these two sons of mine sit,<br />
one at your right and the other at your left, in your Kingdom."<br />
Jesus said in reply,<br />
"You do not know what you are asking.<br />
Can you drink the chalice that I am going to drink?"<br />
They said to him, "We can."<br />
He replied,<br />
"My chalice you will indeed drink,<br />
but to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give<br />
but is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father."<br />
When the ten heard this,<br />
they became indignant at the two brothers.<br />
But Jesus summoned them and said,<br />
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them,<br />
and the great ones make their authority over them felt.<br />
But it shall not be so among you.<br />
Rather, whoever wishes to be great among you shall be your servant;<br />
whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave.<br />
Just so, the Son of Man did not come to be served<br />
but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."<br />
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In this passage we are reminded that prominence in the Kingdom of God is not about glory and power, it is about being humble and serving God's will. Jesus reminds us that it is when were are able to totally surrender themselves to the will of God that they will be great in the kingdom of God. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-32823196089063130072012-07-19T18:04:00.002-07:002012-07-19T18:04:16.336-07:00Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus' yoke is easy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Jesus said:<br />
"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened,<br />
and I will give you rest.<br />
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,<br />
for I am meek and humble of heart;<br />
and you will find rest for yourselves.<br />
For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."<br />
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In this passage Jesus reminds us that following him means following the laws of the commandment. In other words when one follows God's divine law, it actually makes life easier. Why is this? When we follow God's call we receive grace. We are given grace to perform these works and it is grace that makes the load easy. It is when we choose to work for ourselves and not God that things become difficult. Therefore, Jesus' yoke is easy. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-40280049614920303862012-07-18T16:19:00.003-07:002012-07-18T16:26:27.962-07:00Matthew 11:25-27 The Mystery of Faith<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
At that time Jesus exclaimed:<br />
"I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,<br />
for although you have hidden these things<br />
from the wise and the learned<br />
you have revealed them to the childlike.<br />
Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.<br />
All things have been handed over to me by my Father.<br />
No one knows the Son except the Father,<br />
and no one knows the Father except the Son<br />
and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal him."<br />
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In this passage we see Jesus explaining his relationship with God the Father. He is basically saying that only those who are childlike can encounter God. This is because those who are childlike are free from bias. Those who are childlike are ready to depend on others. So often it is ourselves, specifically our pride that prevents us from knowing God. We believe in ourselves and place no trust in God. It is only in trusting in God that we are able to know God. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-78494279538091524972012-07-12T22:05:00.002-07:002012-07-12T22:05:56.305-07:00Matthew 10:16-23 Insight into the Persecution of the Early Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Jesus said to his Apostles:<br />
"Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves;<br />
so be shrewd as serpents and simple as doves.<br />
But beware of men,<br />
for they will hand you over to courts<br />
and scourge you in their synagogues,<br />
and you will be led before governors and kings for my sake<br />
as a witness before them and the pagans.<br />
When they hand you over,<br />
do not worry about how you are to speak<br />
or what you are to say.<br />
You will be given at that moment what you are to say.<br />
For it will not be you who speak<br />
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.<br />
Brother will hand over brother to death,<br />
and the father his child;<br />
children will rise up against parents and have them put to death.<br />
You will be hated by all because of my name,<br />
but whoever endures to the end will be saved.<br />
When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.<br />
Amen, I say to you, you will not finish the towns of Israel<br />
before the Son of Man comes."<br />
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In this passage we see Jesus foreshadowing the fate of the early Christian community. What likely is happening here is Matthew explaining the suffering of the early Christian community with theological terms. It is likely the early Christians were expelled from the synagogues and conflicts among Christians and their Jewish neighbours were increasing. Family members were turning on family members and Matthew is trying to interpret its meaning theologically. Matthew highlights the Father and Spirit's role in our suffering and explains that grace is given to those who are working for the Kingdom of God. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806020034793278483.post-79910235687411171572012-07-09T13:58:00.001-07:002012-07-09T13:58:03.903-07:00Matthew 9:18-26 Miracles need faith to work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
While Jesus was speaking, an official came forward,<br />
knelt down before him, and said,<br />
"My daughter has just died.<br />
But come, lay your hand on her, and she will live."<br />
Jesus rose and followed him, and so did his disciples.<br />
A woman suffering hemorrhages for twelve years came up behind him<br />
and touched the tassel on his cloak.<br />
She said to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I shall be cured."<br />
Jesus turned around and saw her, and said,<br />
"Courage, daughter! Your faith has saved you."<br />
And from that hour the woman was cured.<br />
When Jesus arrived at the official's house<br />
and saw the flute players and the crowd who were making a commotion,<br />
he said, "Go away! The girl is not dead but sleeping."<br />
And they ridiculed him.<br />
When the crowd was put out, he came and took her by the hand,<br />
and the little girl arose.<br />
And news of this spread throughout all that land.<br />
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In this passage we see Jesus healing both the hemorrhaging woman and the official daughters. In the first case, the hemorrhaging woman is cured by her faith. She tries her very best to touch his cloak and Jesus recognizes this effort and cures her. It is really important to note it is her faith that saves her. Without faith the miracle would not work. In the second case it is the faith of the official that allows the cure to take place. These stories both show the importance of faith in the working of Jesus' miracles in the synoptic gospels. They also show the historical Jesus was known for healing and that people would regularly approach him for healing. <br />
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<br />Derek Chanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07944595762519024071noreply@blogger.com0