Sharing the Word

When Jesus’ disciples seem to be disregarding the requirements of Sabbath observance by picking and eating grain from the fields the Pharisees protest. Jesus says what his followers are doing is acceptable because he approves of it and he--the Son ...

You don’t respond to the newness that Jesus is proclaiming by grim dolefulness. Jesus expects his followers to be happy, to be joyful, to be grateful in his company.

Jesus is still generous today. To a worldwide community of believers he provides the sacraments, the Scriptures, the Church’s teaching, the companionship of the faithful. We are called to be grateful.

Jesus presented himself as the proclaimer of the kingdom. This was the purpose of all his activity. “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God,” Jesus says. “For this purpose I have been sent.”

Jesus continues to teach through his Church. The good news of salvation is still being made available to all those who are willing to receive it. It is being presented to us by means of the community of believers.

John the Baptist's role was to prepare the people for the long-awaited Messiah. Jesus would come to John for baptism at the beginning of his ministry, and John would urge his listeners to repent and respond to Jesus’ words.