A Dream Realized

Now when Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. He left Nazareth and made his home in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah might be fulfilled: “Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, on the road byContinue reading “A Dream Realized”

The Spirit Interrupts

Then Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spreadContinue reading “The Spirit Interrupts”

See, Behold, Notice

In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the cityContinue reading “See, Behold, Notice”

Alone No More

Dexter: In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, “BlessedContinue reading “Alone No More”

Disruptive Joy

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad,   the desert shall rejoice and blossom;like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly,   and rejoice with joy and singing.The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it,   the majesty of Carmel and Sharon.They shall see the glory of the Lord,   the majesty of our God.Strengthen the weak hands,   and make firm theContinue reading “Disruptive Joy”

The Great Yes

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” ButContinue reading “The Great Yes”

Creating New Families Out of Thin Air

An account of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham. 2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron,Continue reading “Creating New Families Out of Thin Air”

From Debt to Life

[Jesus] entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore treeContinue reading “From Debt to Life”

The Power to Change

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Grant me justice against myContinue reading “The Power to Change”