The Bible’s Supporting Players: Joseph of Arimathea

Christopher Gaul February 17, 2024

People of wealth and influence today might look to Joseph of Arimathea as a saintly role model.

The Bible’s Supporting Players: Joanna

Kathy Coffey February 17, 2024

Only Luke records her name (24: 1-13). She is mentioned earlier as “the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza,” one of the women who accompanied the disciples.

The Bible’s Supporting Players: Silas

Christopher Gaul February 17, 2024

A faithful traveling companion of Paul, Silas might well be a model for some of today’s social activists who fight against the exploitation of workers.

The Bible’s Supporting Players: Tamar

Kathy Coffey February 17, 2024

If it sounds like this Canaanite woman was a piece of meat bought at the marketplace, read on: It gets worse.

The Bible’s Supporting Players: Jeroboam

Christopher Gaul February 17, 2024

During the 10th century B.C., Jeroboam became king of Israel, after the secession of the northern kingdom from Judah.

The Bible’s Supporting Players: The Canaanite Woman

Kathy Coffey February 17, 2024

The Canaanite woman demonstrates the boldness of those who have nothing to lose.

The Bible’s Supporting Players: Rahab

Kathy Coffey February 17, 2024

Only four Old Testament women are named in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus (1:1-17), so these must be special great-great-grandmothers.

Blessed Lady Jacoba and Almond Treats

Theresa Doyle-Nelson February 17, 2024

Lady Jacoba (now Blessed Jacoba) was deeply struck by St. Francis of Assisi and consequently became a Third Order Franciscan. She kindly offered one special luxury to the humble man of Assisi.

We Are Not Alone

Stephen Copeland February 16, 2024

Core to the Christian Gospel for Franciscans is the realization that the God of the universe decided to enter into our world, first through creation itself (Gn 1), then through the Incarnation (Jn 1), not because of sin or the need to “pay a price,” but simply because that’s what love does.