Our nation is troubled by a pandemic whose effects are magnified by the media. Prudence is advised to prevent contracting the disease. But, a partial closure of society requires critical examination. Have we gone too far? We are troubled by events that we have never before experienced. But, the trouble lies deeper than this. Our…
In 1918 the flu spread throughout the world. 500,000,000 individuals contracted the disease; an estimated 20,000,000 to 50,000,000 died of it. In the time during the Great Mortality (1347 and after) one-third of Europe’s population succumbed to bubonic, septicemic, and pneumonic plague. So far 4 people have died in Pennsylvania of the coronavirus. Now, it…
Many miracles, called signs, are recorded in the Gospel of John. The second one involved the healing of an offical’s son at Cana, the same place where Jesus turned water into wine. While Jesus was critical of the official’s reliance on miracles to believe, He went to Cana to heal his son. The official also…
The coronavirus has created a furor. The store shelves are empty of hand cleanser and other such products; prices are steeply rising for supplies related to the pandemic; the media has rung alarm bells while calling people to calm; the restaurant where I ate breakfast this morning was empty but for the staff and myself; …
The fundamental difference between values and virtue is a matter of where they originate. God defines virtue, called fruits of the Spirit in Paul. People choose values that may be good or bad. Virtue is always good. Christians are always to choose what is good. They are always to choose virtue. Our values should always…
People change, but can they be transformed? Change in a human being may be for the better or worse. Transformation, or conversion, is always for the better, and it is radical. The most significant, if not the only transformation, has to do with conforming to Jesus Christ. Only by God’s grace is this possible. The…
Last time, the discussion was about the importance of self-control. Especially in these times, little support from the general community exists for the exercise of this fruit of the Spirit. In American culture the media and educational institutions encourage the cultivation and expression of inordinate desire. Lack of restraint has become a virtue. This attitude…
A few days ago as I was driving to Easton, I thought of the importance of self-control in our lives and in our dealings with others. I felt such an urgency that I decided to interrupt the articles on “Encounters with Jesus in the Gospel of John.” We will return to this subject. The Greek…
In the Gospel of John Jesus engages in conversation a number of people, some foes, others new converts, and yet others undecided. One among those He meets along the way is the Samaritan woman. In her case we get a vivid idea of the human condition and Jesus’ response to it. The woman comes to…
Nicodemus, the Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus by night to inquire of Him about His ministry. He recognizes Jesus as a teacher from God because of the signs that He does. The passage (John 3: 1-21) is wrought with irony. When Jesus says that a person must be born again (or from above) to enter…
