Posts by Tom Nash
Put to the Test by the Lord
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—a.k.a. Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael (Dan. 1:6)—are put to the test in today’s First Reading. They are willing to die rather than betray the Lord through idolatry. So into the fiery furnace, they go. But not only does God preserve their lives, he also mercifully lets wicked King Nebuchadnezzar witness it, and…
Read MoreAnxious about Association with Jesus
Today’s Gospel Reading is brief, puzzling, and troubling. By this time in his earthly ministry, Jesus was attracting increasingly larger crowds, so much that it became “impossible” for him and disciples “even to eat” (Mark 3:20). Little wonder, given that Jesus had healed many, including cleansing a leper and casting out many demons (chapter 1).…
Read MoreNothing Will Be Impossible with God
As we draw close to Christmas, we anticipate that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel” (Isa. 7:14), as our First Reading proclaims. Some biblical scholars argue that the Hebrew word employed in Isaiah 7:14, alma, means “young maiden,” whereas Isaiah refrains from using a word that explicitly means…
Read MoreJustified by Faith and Works?
Our Protestant brothers and sisters will cite today’s First Reading as proof that we are justified by faith alone and not at all by works: “Indeed, if Abraham was justified on the basis of his works, he has reason to boast” (Rom. 4:2). To be clear, the Catholic Church has always taught that salvation is…
Read MoreHow Great is your Faith?
Today’s Gospel can be jarring to us. Jesus tells a persistent Canaanite woman, whose daughter “is severely possessed by a demon” (Matt. 15:22), that “it is not fair to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs” (15:26). And this after the woman had besought the Savior’s help three times on the matter.…
Read MoreLove Your Human Enemies; and Resist Your Angelic Ones
As we continue reading the Sermon on the Mount today, Jesus proclaims one of his toughest words: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your…
Read MoreWe Must Obey God, Rather than Men
In less than two weeks of Mass readings, the Apostles progress from cowardly deserters to bold proclaimers of the Gospel. In particular, Peter goes from denying Jesus three times on Good Friday to admonishing the religious leaders proximately responsible for Christ’s crucifixion. I say proximately responsible, because all sinners bear responsibility for the redemptive death…
Read MoreEvil Spirits Ironically Testify to the Existence of the All-Good God
The problem of evil poses a stumbling block for existing and would-be Christians. How and why would God permit evil? And if He allows it, why believe in such a God? The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) addresses the mystery of iniquity, including how a loving God could permit the abuse of freedom: because…
Read MoreNothing Will Be Impossible with God
As we draw close to Christmas, we anticipate, as our First Reading proclaims, that “the virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall name him Emmanuel” (Isa. 7:14). Some biblical scholars are quick to argue that the Hebrew word sometimes rendered “virgin” in Isaiah 7:14 is alma, which, strictly speaking, means “young maiden,” whereas…
Read MoreA Promoter of Peace or Division? Understanding Jesus and His Gospel Message
In his famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9). And yet, in today’s Gospel, Jesus seems to proclaim something quite different: “Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.…
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