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The tale of Queen Esther has all the elements of a great story. We can imagine her, the beautiful bride of a pagan king, ruler of Persia, reigning in a lavish Middle Eastern court.
Most of us know the story of Jonah and the whale. But today’s readings give us the rest of the story.
An old joke defines a farmer as someone “outstanding in his field.” St. Isidore the Farmer not only stood out for his work in tilling the soil but was also a deeply prayerful man.
The first days of Lent feature scriptural selections that emphasize the lenten practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
We can’t help but look at Noah through the lens of our modern sense of what’s acceptable behavior.
Isaiah 58:9b–14; Psalm 86:1–2, 3–4, 5–6; Luke 5:27–32
Luke—and Mark—tell us the story of Levi, a tax collector whom Jesus calls as a follower in today’s Gospel passage. Levi promptly throws a party for Jesus. More tax collectors and others show up as well, prompting criticism from the Pharisees and scribes. Their disapproval draws one of Jesus’ most important responses: “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick; I have come to call not the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31–32).
Sharbel Makhluf was known for both his fasting and his care for those who sought him out for prayer and blessing.
