Why do the four gospels describe a normal looking Resurrected Jesus, but the Book of Revelation 1:12-16 describes, "... in the midst of the lampstands one like a son of man, wearing an ankle-length robe, with a gold sash around his chest. The hair of his head was as white as white wool or as snow, and his eyes were like a fiery flame. His feet were like polished brass refined in a furnace, and his voice was like the sound of rushing water. In his right hand he held seven stars. A sharp two-edged sword came out of his mouth, and his face shone like the sun at its brightest."
"Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side." John 20. Pope Benedict XVI wrote in his great book, "Introduction to Christianity" "Fastened to the cross—with the cross fastened to nothing, drifting over the abyss. The situation of the contemporary believer could hardly be more accurately and impressively described."
“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord. Peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” Lk. 19. In this Oro Valley Catholic, Fr. Serge and I discuss Philipians 2, possibly the earliest catechism in the Church. Also, I examine the Passion of the Christ in light of the Old Testament, especially Genesis, 2 Samuel and Isaiah. Holy Week is the tale of three Gardens - Eden, Gethsemane and Paradise.
The Fifth Sunday of Lent gives us the woman caught in adultery and St. Paul's faith in grace. Jesus came not to condemn sinners, but sin, according to St. Augustine. The early Church didn't like this story, apparently, because it appears God goes soft on adultery. But there is much more going on in John's Gospel and St. Paul's Letter to the Phillipians. Join Fr. John and Fr. Serge Propst, O.P. in their discussion of the readings for this Sunday.