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Holy Saturday   Christ is in His tomb. Rather, His Body is in the tomb, but when His Soul left His Body, He descended into Hell to "free the captives." "Hell" here refers to the place of the dead in general ("Sheol" in the Hebrew, or "Hades" in the Greek), not to the place of torment with which the word "Hell" is most usually associated with today. The world "Hell" in the loosest, earliest sense includes: the Limbo of the Fathers, the place for those who were righteous by charity and faith in the coming Messias and who died before His...

Maundy Thursday   This day, Maundy Thursday (also "Holy Thursday" or "Shire Thursday"1) commemorates Christ's Last Supper and the initiation of the Eucharist. Its name of "Maundy" comes from the Latin word mandatum, meaning "command." This stems from Christ's words in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you." It is the first of the three days known as the "Triduum," and after the Vigil tonight, and until the Vigil of Easter, a more profoundly somber attitude prevails (most especially during the hours between Noon and 3:00 PM on Good Friday). Raucous amusements should be set aside... The Last...

Spy Wednesday   In the Old Testament Joseph, who prefigured Christ, was betrayed by his older brother, Judah -- the father of the tribe whence came King David and through which the Messianic prophecies were fulfilled -- when Judah sold Joseph into slavery in Egypt for so many shekels of silver (see Genesis 37-38, and also Psalm 68:2-29 and Acts 1:13-20). From that tribe of Judah came Our Lord, Who was betrayed by another Judah, a man who is more commonly known as Judas Iscariot ("Iscariot" refers to Kerioth, a town in Judea). This Judas handled the money for the...

March 21, 2008                                 Good Friday of the Lord’s Passion       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Is 52:13—53:12 See, my servant shall prosper,he shall be raised high and greatly exalted.Even as many were amazed at himso marred was his look beyond human semblanceand his appearance beyond that of the sons of manso shall he startle many nations,because of him kings shall stand speechless;for those who have not been told shall see,those who have not heard shall ponder it. Who would believe what we have heard?To whom has the arm of the...

March 20, 2008                                         Holy Thursday                                        Mass of the Lord’s Supper       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Ex 12:1-8, 11-14 The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt,“This month shall stand at the head of your calendar;you shall reckon it the first month of the year.Tell the whole community of Israel:On the tenth of this month every one of your familiesmust procure for itself a lamb, one apiece for each household.If a family is too small for a whole lamb,it shall join the nearest household in...

March 20, 2008                                         Holy Thursday                                        Chrism Mass         Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Is 61:1-3a, 6a, 8b-9 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me,because the LORD has anointed me;He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the lowly,to heal the brokenhearted,To proclaim liberty to the captivesand release to the prisoners,To announce a year of favor from the LORDand a day of vindication by our God,to comfort all who mourn;To place on those who mourn in...

Robert R. Allard  Other Articles by Robert R. AllardPrinter Friendly Version   The Epidemic and the Cure March 17, 2008 Pope John Paul II often reminded us of the loss of a sense of sin and the need for a return to the practice of frequent confessions. The moral relativism that is causing much of this loss of a sense of sin in our world has also been characterized by our current Pope, Benedict XVI as the major evil facing the Catholic Church today.The word "epidemic" is described by Webster's as "affecting or tending to affect a disproportionately large number...

March 19, 2008                                     Wednesday of Holy Week       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Is 50:4-9a The Lord GOD has given mea well-trained tongue,That I might know how to speak to the wearya word that will rouse them.Morning after morninghe opens my ear that I may hear;And I have not rebelled,have not turned back.I gave my back to those who beat me,my cheeks to those who plucked my beard;My face I did not shieldfrom buffets and spitting. The Lord GOD is my help,therefore I am not disgraced;I have set my face...

The Seven Last Words of ChristA Reflection by Fred Schaeffer, SFO     "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34) "Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise." (Luke 23:43) "Woman, behold thy son...Behold thy mother." (John 19:26-27) "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matt. 27:46) "I thirst." (John 19:28) "It is consummated." (John 19:30) "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit." (Luke 23:46)  "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." As Jesus spoke these words, he looked down from the cross...

Even if we haven't yet taken Lent seriously enough, we need to immerse ourselves in Our Lord's saving actions this week, especially in the Sacred Triduum of Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. If you need a refresher on how to understand and observe this most solemn time, take advantage of our extensive liturgical year materials on Holy Week.

March 18, 2008                                         Tuesday of Holy Week       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Is 49:1-6 Hear me, O islands,listen, O distant peoples.The LORD called me from birth,from my mother’s womb he gave me my name.He made of me a sharp-edged swordand concealed me in the shadow of his arm.He made me a polished arrow,in his quiver he hid me.You are my servant, he said to me,Israel, through whom I show my glory. Though I thought I had toiled in vain,and for nothing, uselessly, spent my strength,Yet my reward is...

Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit The Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem A Sermon (No. 405) Delivered on Sunday Morning, August the 18th, 1861 by the Rev. C. H. SPURGEON, At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington "Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass."— Mat 21:5WE HAVE READ the chapter from which our text is taken; let me now rehearse the incident in your hearing. There was an expectation upon the popular mind of the Jewish people, that Messiah was about to come. They expected him to...

March 17, 2008                                        Monday of Holy Week       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Is 42:1-7 Here is my servant whom I uphold,my chosen one with whom I am pleased,Upon whom I have put my Spirit;he shall bring forth justice to the nations,Not crying out, not shouting,not making his voice heard in the street.A bruised reed he shall not break,and a smoldering wick he shall not quench,Until he establishes justice on the earth;the coastlands will wait for his teaching. Thus says God, the LORD,who created the heavens and stretched them out,who spreads out the earth with its crops,Who gives breath...

March 16, 2008                             Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion At the Procession with Palms       GospelAt the MassResponsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel GospelMt 21:1-11 When Jesus and the disciples drew near Jerusalemand came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives,Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them,“Go into the village opposite you,and immediately you will find an ass tethered,and a colt with her.Untie them and bring them here to me.And if anyone should say anything to you, reply,‘The master has need of them.’Then he will send them at once.”This happened so that what had...

 Holy Week in the Catholic TraditionAn explanation of Holy Week traditions in the history of the Church. DirectionsTHE GREAT AND SACRED WEEKNAMES — In the Greek Church Holy Week bears the solemn title the "Sacred and Great Week" (He hagia kai megale hebdomas). In the Latin Church the official term is the "Greater Week" (hebdomada major). The popular names are "Great Week" among the Slavic nations, and "Holy Week" in other countries. The German name Karwoche means "Week of Mourning." In ancient times Holy Week was also called "Week of Remission," since the public sinners were absolved on Maundy Thursday....

Palm Sunday     Today, this "Second Sunday of the Passion," is the memorial of Christ's "triumphant," but misunderstood, entry into Jerusalem, the day that begins Holy Week. This entry into Jerusalem is seen as the prophetic fulfillment of Zacharias 9:9-10 :Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Sion, shout for joy, O daughter of Jerusalem: BEHOLD THY KING will come to thee, the just and saviour: he is poor, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass. And I will destroy the chariot out of Ephraim, and the horse out of Jerusalem, and the bow for...

“In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb” (Matthew 21:1-11; 26:1 – 27:66)“In Like a Lion, Out Like a Lamb.” Have you heard that saying before? It’s used in reference to the month of March. The idea is that usually March comes in “like a lion”--the weather to begin the month is harsh and cold--and then at the other end, March goes out “like a lamb”--the weather is fair and mild. This year March started out with a few days of lamb-like weather, then the lion roared into our area, and now we’re sort of in-between. What’s in between a...

March 15, 2008                                   Solemnity of Saint Joseph,                                     husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 12 Sm 7:4-5a, 12-14a, 16 The LORD spoke to Nathan and said:“Go, tell my servant David,‘When your time comes and you rest with your ancestors,I will raise up your heir after you, sprung from your loins,and I will make his kingdom firm.It is he who shall build a house for my name.And I will make his royal throne firm forever.I will be a father to him,and he shall be...

March 14, 2008                                     Friday of the Fifth Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Jer 20:10-13 I hear the whisperings of many:“Terror on every side!Denounce! let us denounce him!”All those who were my friendsare on the watch for any misstep of mine.“Perhaps he will be trapped; then we can prevail,and take our vengeance on him.”But the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion:my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.In their failure they will be put to utter shame,to lasting, unforgettable confusion.O LORD of hosts, you who...

“‘Follow Me’: The Cross and the Crown of Discipleship”“‘Follow Me’: The Cross of Discipleship” (Matt. 10:38-39; 16:24-25)“Take up your cross and follow me.” “Follow me, and you will have treasure in heaven.” This is the twofold word our Lord has for us this evening, under the theme, “The Cross and the Crown of Discipleship.” Originally, the plan was to consider these as two different messages, “The Cross” last week and “The Crown” tonight, but the snowstorm caused us to combine the two into one. And that’s OK, because there is no “Crown” without the “Cross,” and there is no “Cross”...

March 13, 2008                                 Thursday of the Fifth Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Gn 17:3-9 When Abram prostrated himself, God spoke to him:“My covenant with you is this:you are to become the father of a host of nations.No longer shall you be called Abram;your name shall be Abraham,for I am making you the father of a host of nations.I will render you exceedingly fertile;I will make nations of you;kings shall stem from you.I will maintain my covenant with youand your descendants after youthroughout the ages as an everlasting...

ROME, MARCH 11, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university. Q: Could a layperson, with the diocesan bishop's permission, licitly preach after the Gospel at the Good Friday liturgy, since it is not a Mass? -- C.F., Oakland, California A: Laypeople may preach on certain occasions. The 2004 instruction "Redemptionis Sacramentum," in No. 161, states: "As was already noted above, the homily on account of its importance and its nature is reserved to the Priest or Deacon during Mass. As regards other forms of preaching, if necessity demands it...

March 12, 2008                                 Wednesday of the Fifth Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Dn 3:14-20, 91-92, 95 King Nebuchadnezzar said:“Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego,that you will not serve my god,or worship the golden statue that I set up?Be ready now to fall down and worship the statue I had made,whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet,flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe,and all the other musical instruments;otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white-hot furnace;and who is the God who can deliver you out of my...

March 11, 2008                                 Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Nm 21:4-9 From Mount Hor the children of Israel set out on the Red Sea road,to bypass the land of Edom.But with their patience worn out by the journey,the people complained against God and Moses,“Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in this desert,where there is no food or water?We are disgusted with this wretched food!” In punishment the LORD sent among the people saraph serpents,which bit the people so that many...

March 10, 2008                                         Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Dn 13:1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or 13:41c-62 In Babylon there lived a man named Joakim,who married a very beautiful and God-fearing woman, Susanna,the daughter of Hilkiah;her pious parents had trained their daughteraccording to the law of Moses.Joakim was very rich;he had a garden near his house,and the Jews had recourse to him oftenbecause he was the most respected of them all. That year, two elders of the people were appointed judges,of whom the...

March 9, 2008                                         Fifth Sunday of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Ez 37:12-14 Thus says the Lord GOD:O my people, I will open your gravesand have you rise from them,and bring you back to the land of Israel.Then you shall know that I am the LORD,when I open your graves and have you rise from them,O my people!I will put my spirit in you that you may live,and I will settle you upon your land;thus you shall know that I am the LORD.I have promised, and...

Fasting, and giving up chocolate and favorite pastimes like watching TV during the 40 days before Easter are practices many evangelical Protestants have long rejected as too Catholic and unbiblical.But Lent -- a time of inner cleansing and reflection upon Jesus Christ's sufferings before his resurrection -- is one of many ancient church practices being embraced by an increasing number of evangelicals, sometimes with a modern twist. The National Community Church, which has three locations in the District and one in Arlington County, updated the Lenten fast by adding a Web component: a 40-day blog, where participants from as far...

March 8, 2008                                 Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Jer 11:18-20 I knew their plot because the LORD informed me;at that time you, O LORD, showed me their doings. Yet I, like a trusting lamb led to slaughter,had not realized that they were hatching plots against me:“Let us destroy the tree in its vigor;let us cut him off from the land of the living,so that his name will be spoken no more.” But, you, O LORD of hosts, O just Judge,searcher of mind and...

March 7, 2008                                     Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Wis 2:1a, 12-22 The wicked said among themselves,thinking not aright:“Let us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us;he sets himself against our doings,Reproaches us for transgressions of the lawand charges us with violations of our training.He professes to have knowledge of Godand styles himself a child of the LORD.To us he is the censure of our thoughts;merely to see him is a hardship for us,Because his life is not like that...

“Raising the Dead, Arousing Faith, and Rousing the Opposition” (John 11:1-53)Our text today is the account of the raising of Lazarus, from John chapter 11. In this chapter Jesus does three things: He raises the dead. He arouses faith. And he rouses the opposition. Three things, and what he does, he does for you. The most obvious thing Jesus does is to raise a dead man. Think about that. Jesus raises a dead man. Who has ever heard of such a thing? The man’s name was Lazarus. He was a friend of Jesus and his disciples. His sisters you’ve heard...

March 6, 2008                                 Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Ex 32:7-14 The LORD said to Moses,“Go down at once to your peoplewhom you brought out of the land of Egypt,for they have become depraved.They have soon turned aside from the way I pointed out to them,making for themselves a molten calf and worshiping it,sacrificing to it and crying out,‘This is your God, O Israel,who brought you out of the land of Egypt!’The LORD said to Moses,“I see how stiff-necked this people is.Let me alone,...

March 5, 2008                                       Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Is 49:8-15 Thus says the LORD:In a time of favor I answer you,on the day of salvation I help you;and I have kept you and given you as a covenant to the people,To restore the landand allot the desolate heritages,Saying to the prisoners: Come out!To those in darkness: Show yourselves!Along the ways they shall find pasture,on every bare height shall their pastures be.They shall not hunger or thirst,nor shall the scorching wind or the sun strike them;For he who pities them leads themand...

March 4, 2008                                     Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Ez 47:1-9, 12 The angel brought me, Ezekiel,back to the entrance of the temple of the LORD,and I saw water flowing outfrom beneath the threshold of the temple toward the east,for the façade of the temple was toward the east;the water flowed down from the right side of the temple,south of the altar.He led me outside by the north gate,and around to the outer gate facing the east,where I saw water trickling from the...

March 3, 2008                                     Monday of the Fourth Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Is 65:17-21 Thus says the LORD:Lo, I am about to create new heavensand a new earth;The things of the past shall not be rememberedor come to mind.Instead, there shall always be rejoicing and happinessin what I create;For I create Jerusalem to be a joyand its people to be a delight;I will rejoice in Jerusalemand exult in my people.No longer shall the sound of weeping be heard there,or the sound of crying;No longer shall there...

March 2, 2008                                             Fourth Sunday of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 11 Sm 16:1b, 6-7, 10-13a The LORD said to Samuel:“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,for I have chosen my king from among his sons.” As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice,Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”But the LORD said to Samuel:“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,because I have rejected him.Not as man sees does God see,because man sees the...

4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday) The fourth Sunday of Lent is rather unique; like the third Sunday of Advent ("Gaudete Sunday"), the fourth Sunday of Lent is a break in an otherwise penitential season. The vestments for this day will be rose, as they are on Gaudete Sunday in Advent, and flowers may adorn the Altar. This day is called "Laetare Sunday" (also "Rose Sunday" ), and takes its name from the opening words of the Mass, the Introit's "Laetare, Jerusalem":  Laetare Jerusalem: et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam: gaudete cum laetitia, qui in tristitia fuistis: ut exsultetis,...

March 1, 2008                                     Saturday of the Third Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Hos 6:1-6 “Come, let us return to the LORD,it is he who has rent, but he will heal us;he has struck us, but he will bind our wounds.He will revive us after two days;on the third day he will raise us up,to live in his presence.Let us know, let us strive to know the LORD;as certain as the dawn is his coming,and his judgment shines forth like the light of day!He will come to...

“Jesus Opens Your Eyes--and Tongue” (John 9:1-41)Today’s Gospel is the story of the man born blind, John chapter 9. That’s the thing about John’s gospel, the chapters are very identifiable. The woman at the well, John 4. The raising of Lazarus, John 11. Very memorable, these chapters in John. Often they involve Jesus in a one-on-one conversation with a person he meets or helps: Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, and so on. And often there is some misperception: Nicodemus doesn’t understand about being “born again,” the Samaritan woman doesn’t understand “living water.” They’re just thinking in merely earthly categories, while Jesus...

February 29, 2008                                     Friday of the Third Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Hos 14:2-10 Thus says the LORD:Return, O Israel, to the LORD, your God;you have collapsed through your guilt.Take with you words,and return to the LORD;Say to him, “Forgive all iniquity,and receive what is good, that we may renderas offerings the bullocks from our stalls.Assyria will not save us,nor shall we have horses to mount;We shall say no more, ‘Our god,’to the work of our hands;for in you the orphan finds compassion.” I will heal...

Nine-year-old Alice Lambertsen blows out a candle on the tetrapod after noon vespers on Pure Monday (Feb. 4) at St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church in Anchorage. Pure Monday marks the beginning of the Great Fast for Byzantine Catholics ANCHORAGE, Alaska (Catholic Anchor) - The great main dome at St. Nicholas of Myra Byzantine Catholic Church in Anchorage is the only one of its kind in the world. Built in 1996, the dome contains thousands of tiny holes that allow light to radiates out in unique patterns. The design so distinct it has an official patent. Light radiating...

February 28, 2008                                     Thursday of the Third Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Jer 7:23-28 Thus says the LORD:This is what I commanded my people:Listen to my voice;then I will be your God and you shall be my people.Walk in all the ways that I command you,so that you may prosper. But they obeyed not, nor did they pay heed.They walked in the hardness of their evil heartsand turned their backs, not their faces, to me.From the day that your fathers left the land of Egypt even...

“‘Follow Me’: The Candidates for Discipleship” (Matthew 9:9-13)“As Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, ‘Follow me.’ And he rose and followed him. “And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’ But when he heard it, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but...

February 27, 2008                                 Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Dt 4:1, 5-9 Moses spoke to the people and said:“Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decreeswhich I am teaching you to observe,that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the landwhich the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you.Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decreesas the LORD, my God, has commanded me,that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy.Observe them carefully,for thus will...

February 26, 2008                                 Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Dn 3:25, 34-43 Azariah stood up in the fire and prayed aloud: “For your name’s sake, O Lord, do not deliver us up forever,or make void your covenant.Do not take away your mercy from us,for the sake of Abraham, your beloved,Isaac your servant, and Israel your holy one,To whom you promised to multiply their offspringlike the stars of heaven,or the sand on the shore of the sea.For we are reduced, O Lord, beyond any other...

February 25, 2008                                     Monday of the Third Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 12 Kgs 5:1-15ab Naaman, the army commander of the king of Aram,was highly esteemed and respected by his master,for through him the LORD had brought victory to Aram.But valiant as he was, the man was a leper.Now the Arameans had captured in a raid on the land of Israela little girl, who became the servant of Naaman’s wife.“If only my master would present himself to the prophet in Samaria,”she said to her mistress, “he...

February 24, 2008                                         Third Sunday of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmReading 2Gospel Reading 1Ex 17:3-7 In those days, in their thirst for water,the people grumbled against Moses,saying, “Why did you ever make us leave Egypt?Was it just to have us die here of thirstwith our children and our livestock?”So Moses cried out to the LORD,“What shall I do with this people?a little more and they will stone me!”The LORD answered Moses,“Go over there in front of the people,along with some of the elders of Israel,holding in your hand,...

“The Man at the Well” (John 4:5-30, 39-42)It’s natural to want to be accepted. We want people to accept us for who we are. But from time to time we all experience a gnawing, nagging sense that we are not accepted, a sense of alienation--from others, from God, maybe even from ourselves. We want to be accepted. But if we’re honest with ourselves, we see some things in our character and behavior that are really unacceptable. “I want to be accepted, but if people really knew me for who I am, why should they accept me?” It’s like Groucho Marx...

February 22, 2008                             Feast of the Chair of Saint Peter, Apostle       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 11 Pt 5:1-4 Beloved:I exhort the presbyters among you,as a fellow presbyter and witness to the sufferings of Christand one who has a share in the glory to be revealed.Tend the flock of God in your midst,overseeing not by constraint but willingly,as God would have it, not for shameful profit but eagerly.Do not lord it over those assigned to you,but be examples to the flock.And when the chief Shepherd is revealed,you will receive the unfading...

February 21, 2008                                 Thursday of the Second Week of Lent       Reading 1Responsorial PsalmGospel Reading 1Jer 17:5-10 Thus says the LORD:Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,who seeks his strength in flesh,whose heart turns away from the LORD.He is like a barren bush in the desertthat enjoys no change of season,But stands in a lava waste,a salt and empty earth.Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,whose hope is the LORD.He is like a tree planted beside the watersthat stretches out its roots to the stream:It fears...

“‘Follow Me’: The Cost of Discipleship” (Matthew 8:18-22)“Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. And a scribe came up and said to him, ‘Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’ Another of the disciples said to him, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.’”...