Biblical, historical, and other mysteries
There are only about 28 parables that Jesus gave in the New Testament, although he used a lot of figures and symbols in his teachings. But no explanations that he gave at the time to the disciples were handed down – except for two. Jesus explains the very first parable, …
A parable is a short allegorical tale from which the listener is expected to take a lesson. Uniquely perhaps among religious founders, Jesus mainly relied on parables to get his message across: With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; he …
The Book of Psalms is one of the high points of the Bible in terms of literature. While some are songs of David while on the run, many of these 150 poems (151 in the NSRV) were likely composed as Temple hymns for choruses and lyres. All of them contain …
There are many mysteries surrounding the Last Supper. Why the sneaky, obviously pre-arranged business of sending the disciples to looking for a man carrying water to provide a place for the meal (Mk. 14:13-15)? What kind of meal was it – an ordinary dinner with Jesus and his closest disciples …
Today’s Ash Wednesday, the formal beginning of Lent. If the Roman Catholic Church was serious about reform and really intent on cleaning up clergy abuse, they’d take full advantage of this season to put on a big penitential show. Prelates in the Vatican would conduct the most solemn services in …
