In the latter part of today’s gospel Jesus promises the Holy Spirit will come, “The helper will teach you all things and remind you of all that I have told you” (v.26).

There are two functions of the Spirit. Let’s start from the first, to teach.

When we talk about Jesus the Good Shepherd, the first image that comes to mind is that of the Master who holds a lamb in his arms or on his shoulders. 

It is true: Jesus is the good shepherd who goes out of his way in  search of his lost sheep, but this is a reproduction of the parable found in the gospel of Luke (15:4-8).

John, the evangelist, narrates another manifestation of the Risen Lord to his disciples and this episode is full of symbolism.

There are seven occupants in the boat. This number represents perfection, completeness. Peter and the other six represent all the disciples who make up the entire Christian community. 

The doubt of Thomas is proverbial. It is often said of someone who shows mistrust. “You’re a Doubting Thomas.” 

Yet, in hindsight, he seems to have done nothing wrong. Was Thomas really the only one to have doubts, while the other disciples readily and immediately believed in the Risen One? It does not seem that’s how things went.

A woman caught in the act of adultery is brought to Jesus to be judged. Jesus could get out of trouble in a very simple way: by inviting the accusers to address the legitimate judges. 

The court of the Sanhedrin is not more than a 100 metres away. But this would mean abandoning the woman that the defenders of public morality now consider a trophy, a prey.

Here is the most beautiful of all the parables of the gospels. Jesus’ introduction explains the reason he narrated the parable. 

He is not appealing to sinners, but to the righteous: “Tax collectors and sinners were seeking the company of Jesus. But the Pharisees and scribes frowned on this, muttering, ‘This man welcomes sinners and eats with them’” (vv.1-3). 

Call to radical conversion

Today’s gospel reading speaks of an episode of Pilate’s cruelty. Some pilgrims came from Galilee to offer sacrifice in the temple. 

Call to radical conversion

Today’s gospel reading speaks of an episode of Pilate’s cruelty. Some pilgrims came from Galilee to offer sacrifice in the temple. 

In today’s Mass we focus on some significantly particular aspects of the transfiguration that are found only in Luke’s version of the gospel. This evangelist alone specifies why Jesus goes up the mountain: he goes to pray (v.28).

Simon Peter acknowledges his sinfulness and inadequacies, yet the Lord entrusts the ministry of leadership to him! Peter said, “Leave me, Lord, for I am a sinful man” (v.8). 

It is the way the bible tells of the encounter with the Lord: Moses covers his face, because he is afraid (Exodus 3:6); Elijah covers his face with his mantle (1 Kings 19:13).