Posts by Grant Herndon
THEY JUST DIDN’T GET IT: “BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS, I AM.”
In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus once again attempts to reveal his true nature to the Jews, only to be met with insults and threats. In this passage, Jesus has returned to the temple. After the Pharisees attempt to set a trap for him with the woman caught in adultery, he continues his teaching. Though many…
Read MoreAsk and Ye Shall Receive, Within Reason!
In today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus continues his intense teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. Before laying out the Golden Rule, He instructs his disciples in the familiar “ask, and ye shall receive” narrative: that everyone who asks, receives; who seeks, finds; and who knocks, will find the door opened. Really,…
Read MoreSerpent’s Eggs Do Not Hatch Out into Doves
There is a lot going on in the third chapter of Mark. Jesus had healed a man with a withered hand on a Sabbath in the synagogue, prompting the Pharisees to plot against him. He withdraws to the Sea with the disciples, and a great multitude follows him. He heals the sick and drives out…
Read MoreThe First Martyr for Jesus
Today’s first reading for the feast of St. Stephen goes hand in hand with the Gospel reading. The former is a concrete example in the earliest years of the church of Jesus’s instruction to the apostles about the hardships they would endure in carrying out his teachings together with the support they would receive to…
Read MorePatient Endurance Amidst Trials: Let Christ Do the Work
In this week’s Gospel reading, Christ reminds the apostles (and us) that just as the physical Temple could be toppled, following Him on the way of the cross can shake our spiritual foundations. Coming to the defense of our Lord may result in hatred, betrayal, persecution and even death. The apostles quickly found this out…
Read MoreGlad I’m Not Like Those Poor Sinners!
Haven’t we all had moments where we at least privately think we are “all that” in some way and that others don’t measure up? In a vivid parable in today’s Gospel reading, Jesus speaks to those of us who are like Pharisees, convinced of our own righteousness while despising everyone else. He provides a piercing…
Read MoreTo Everything There Is a Season
In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus asks the disciples who people are saying He is, and then He asks them who they say that He is. Peter answers that He is the Christ of God. Curiously, Jesus then “rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.” One might assume Jesus would be…
Read MoreScrub Up Your Inner Pharisee
In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus really gets after the scribes and Pharisees, calling them out for their pretense and greed and lack of authenticity in the last of his public discourses. He continues an excoriating rant covering the entire 23rd chapter – a lecture we would hate to receive from a parent or a…
Read MoreDo not Pull the Weeds Until the Harvest!
In today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus has been speaking to the crowds in parables from a boat at the seaside. Then He discusses with the disciples the reason for using parables. He gives them another parable to help them understand the implications of choices we make, but more importantly the potential for…
Read MoreSon of God Speaks with Authority, Causing Commotion
In this Sunday’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew, Christ continues to teach the crowds on the mountainside. He chastises them by saying that those who pay him lip service (call him “Lord, Lord”) but fail to do the will of the Father will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Even those who do mighty…
Read More