On returning from a missionary journey, Jesus said to His apostles, “You must come away to some lonely place all by yourselves and rest for a while.” He was eager for them to enjoy physical rest, but also the opportunity to recharge their spiritual batteries. He was concerned that amid the demands of ministry they might lose a sense of union with Him. He wanted them to spend time alone with Him.
John the Baptist was a man with a mission. His whole life was completely absorbed around the person of Jesus Christ. His vocation in life was to point Jesus out to others. In fact it is hard to think of John the Baptist without thinking of Jesus. How much would we like that to be said about ourselves?
The making of the two covenants between God and humankind are among the most dramatic moments in recorded history. But they could not have been more different.
Why does God allow suffering? He is not some ogre who delights in seeing His creatures in pain and misery. He is good and loving, so in His plan suffering must have some higher purpose.
All the men and women of faith who have gone before us and who remained true to God are models of encouragement and hope. By their lives and often by their martyrdom, they display their dedication to God and His people. But the One person who stands head and shoulders above all of them has to be Jesus, the Son of God, Whose entire life was one of dedication to His Father and to His people.
One purpose of the Letter to the Hebrews was to put new heart into a community of Christians whose first fervour had cooled. Spiritual lethargy had set in, so the author reminded them of the heroes of the past and all they had endured and achieved in union with God.
What brings you happiness? Some people would say money - isn’t that why so many people do the weekly lottery? Others would say their annual holiday abroad, a comfortable life, a good marriage or a stable job. Not many would say that the truly blessed are the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek and the persecuted. Yet, Jesus says these are the things that bring happiness.
The prayer of Solomon pleased God because it was an unselfish prayer. The gift he asked for, although for himself, was to benefit others. He was a young king who wanted to govern his people well, so he asked for the ability to judge wisely and fairly.
The book of Ecclesiasticus was written many centuries after the death of King David. It looked back upon his life in much the same way as do with our national heroes, such as Nelson and Churchill, whose virtues we remember while forgetting or ignoring their faults. The author recalled David's considerable faults with only a fleeting reference.
David knows his death is near and so, very peacefully and in a calm voice, he speaks his last words to Solomon, his son and king to be. He had witnessed so much death in his long life; most of those who were very close to him in this world had already gone to their rest. For them he had wept bitter tears.
