Transforming Unbelief into Belief, Mark 9:14-29

When Jesus comes down from the mountain after his transfiguration, he and the three disciples are confronted with a scene of chaos. The other disciples are arguing with the scribes about casting out a demon and healing a boy. The father of boy explains to Jesus what is happening and confesses his own unbelief mixed into his faith. What are we to make of such a story from the Bible? Is this a reminder to us that even small faith with unbelief can help us to grow in faith? Can that very unbelief be transformed?

Image: Jesus casting out demons, photo taken by Nick Thompson, mosiac located in Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna. License: CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 (No Changes made). Image location: https://www.flickr.com/photos/pelegrino/4670683038

Peace of God Despite Doubt, John 20.19-31

Peace and doubt come together in our text from St. John 20.19-31 today. Our doubts can be overcome when we discover the peace that Jesus brings to us through his death and resurrection. Father Jeremiah draws our attention to this to this movement today in his sermon.

Image: Christ and St. Thomas by Andrea del Verrocchio, photo taken by Glenfarclas, CC BY-SA 3.0, no changes made. image location:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Verrocchio_Christ_and_St._Thomas_closeup.JPG

Bearing the Marks of Salvation, John 20.19-31

What happened to the Apostles when they encountered the risen Christ? How did they respond? How did Thomas respond to Jesus himself when he met him again? All of the Apostles were transformed by Jesus and the work that he accomplished on the cross for them and through his resurrection. And now, the question is, will you too be transformed as they were so long ago?

Image: The Maesta Altarpiece-The Incredulity of st.Thomas, by Duccio. [Public Domain] Image Location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The-Maesta-Altarpiece-The-Incredulity-of-Saint-Thomas-1461_Duccio.jpg

No Doubt on Our Behalf, Luke 4.1-13

Satan’s temptation of Jesus in the wilderness was one focused on doubt in the truthfulness of God’s word to Jesus at his baptism and al that entailed for Jesus. How did he respond? How does Jesus’ do what no one else has done before? Father Jeremiah takes us through Jesus’ temptation and shows us how Jesus endures these things on our behalf in order to open to us the blessings of God the Father’s blessings for us.

Image: Temptation on the Mount, Duccio di Buoninsegna [Public domain]. Location: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duccio_-_The_Temptation_on_the_Mount.jpg