Once again Jesus was in trouble with the Pharisees and scribes. They objected to His eating and drinking with people generally regarded as sinners. Jesus replied that He was like a doctor who had come to heal the sick. The tragedy of the Pharisees was that they did not recognise that they were sick! They thought of themselves as virtuous, but behaved in the ways which Isaiah condemned. They placed heavy burdens on people's backs by imposing many rules and regulations. Jesus accused them of greed, intolerance, and lack of compassion.
The disciples of John were anxious to know why Jesus' followers did not fast as the Pharisees did. Fasting played a large part in Jewish tradition and it seemed strange that the disciples of a religious teacher did not practise this custom. Jesus was not opposed to fasting - in fact He saw the need for it in His own life - but He wanted to remind people of its true purpose.
We have the same definite choice that Moses gave to his people. If they loved God and followed His commandments they would have life; if they turned their back on Him the result would be death. The reward which was promised to them was the land of Israel where they would live in safety and prosperity.
Once again Jesus was in trouble with the Pharisees and scribes. They objected to His eating and drinking with people generally regarded as sinners. Jesus replied that He was like a doctor who had come to heal the sick. The tragedy of the Pharisees was that they did not recognise that they were sick! They thought of themselves as virtuous, but behaved in the ways which Isaiah condemned. They placed heavy burdens on people's backs by imposing many rules and regulations. Jesus accused them of greed, intolerance, and lack of compassion.
The disciples of John were anxious to know why Jesus' followers did not fast as the Pharisees did. Fasting played a large part in Jewish tradition and it seemed strange that the disciples of a religious teacher did not practise this custom. Jesus was not opposed to fasting - in fact He saw the need for it in His own life - but He wanted to remind people of its true purpose.
We have the same definite choice that Moses gave to his people. If they loved God and followed His commandments they would have life; if they turned their back on Him the result would be death. The reward which was promised to them was the land of Israel where they would live in safety and prosperity.
Submitted by Father Francis on Saturday, 21 February 2015
Is. 58:9-14 & Lk 5:27-32
Once again Jesus was in trouble with the Pharisees and scribes. They objected to His eating and drinking with people generally regarded as sinners. Jesus replied that He was like a doctor who had come to heal the sick. The tragedy of the Pharisees was that they did not recognise that they were sick! They thought of themselves as virtuous, but behaved in the ways which Isaiah condemned. They placed heavy burdens on people's backs by imposing many rules and regulations. Jesus accused them of greed, intolerance, and lack of compassion.
Submitted by Father Francis on Friday, 20 February 2015
Is. 58:1-9 & Mt. 9:14-15
The disciples of John were anxious to know why Jesus' followers did not fast as the Pharisees did. Fasting played a large part in Jewish tradition and it seemed strange that the disciples of a religious teacher did not practise this custom. Jesus was not opposed to fasting - in fact He saw the need for it in His own life - but He wanted to remind people of its true purpose.
Submitted by Father Francis on Thursday, 19 February 2015
Deut. 30:15-20 & Lk. 9:22-25
We have the same definite choice that Moses gave to his people. If they loved God and followed His commandments they would have life; if they turned their back on Him the result would be death. The reward which was promised to them was the land of Israel where they would live in safety and prosperity.
