In answer to a challenge from the Sadducees, Jesus speaks of the children of God found worthy to attain to the coming age and the resurrection of the dead  “…for they are like angels.” Was Jesus saying we will become angels when we die? Many people think so. But in factContinue Reading

In ancient Judea to be a tax collector was to be a sinner. A chief tax collector, like Zaccheus, was a chief sinner, as could be seen by his great wealth. This great wealth was achieved by collecting more in taxes than was due to the Roman government and pocketingContinue Reading

Saint Monica is one of the best examples we have of the power of consistent prayer and the way God answers those prayers. When her son Augustine came of age he told his mother that he had become a Manichean. Manichaeism was a pagan philosophical religion that directly contradicted Christianity.Continue Reading

In Jesus’ time there were a number of reasons an individual could be considered “unclean” and unable to act as a full member of the community. In all cases it was the responsibility of the priest to determine whether a person was “clean” and could once again take their placeContinue Reading

In 1571 Christian Europe was in chaos. The Protestant Reformation had broken the unity of the Church and the remaining Catholic kings fought amongst themselves for political advantage. In the midst of this confusion the Muslim empire of the Turks was once again threatening Europe. Their superior forces coupled withContinue Reading

In the story of Lazarus and the rich man, what sin did the rich man commit that condemned him? He wasn’t a thief, or a murderer, or even a liar. He appears to have been a good guy, wealthy, successful, with a large family whom he cared about. So whatContinue Reading

In the parable of the dishonest steward, Jesus appears to be praising unscrupulous behavior. But it is important to understand the parable in the context of the customs of the day. Wealthy merchants hired agents or stewards to conduct their business affairs. It was common for these agents to inflateContinue Reading