nbsp nbsp nbsp nbsp This Gospel reading pleads that we be assured that we are loved by God He has given us eternal life by having his Son raised on the cross on our behalf nbsp Only love of us could move God to have his Son die for us nbsp How can we ever say ldquo God does not love me r

The second reading for the Fourth Sunday of Lent is from Ephesians 2 4-10 This passage is often used by both evangelicals and Catholics in apologetic contexts Ephesians 2 8-9 is cited by evangelical Christians to fortify a position that salvation is by faith alone and not by works Aha say Catho

As Christians in the world we cannot help but be influenced by the developments that happen around us Indeed we believe that many of these advances are gifts from God given to us to enjoy But not all developments in thinking and practices are for the better nbsp One alarming development is the

How to get value from our past negative experiences and move on with insight and energy can be difficult and it rsquo s addressed by these readings nbsp Before the exile of Judah Israel culminating in the early sixth century B C E with return beginning around 530 or so it sounds as if the pro

The first reading provides the ten commandments still familiar to many who will hear the passage nbsp Unless the shorter Lectionary option is chosen please not it is evident at once how uneven is the attention or space given to the various commandments nbsp The ldquo firstborn rdquo gets t

In turning to the teachings of the Church Fathers on Matthew 15 22-28 I am drawing on the Catena Aurea of St Thomas Aquinas for Matthew who gathered portions of the Patristic writings on particular passages for each Gospel and which are now available online albeit in a rather old and stilted tra