St. Pat's Faith Talk

John 21 recounts the post-resurrection appearance of Jesus to seven of His disciples on the shore of the Sea of Tiberias. After a fruitless night of fishing, Jesus directs them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, resulting in a miraculous catch of 153 fish. Recognizing Jesus, Peter jumps into the water to reach Him. Jesus then provides a breakfast of fish and bread, and after the meal, He asks Peter three times if he loves Him, mirroring Peter's three denials. Each affirmation prompts Jesus to instruct Peter to "feed My sheep," signifying Peter's restoration and commission to care for the church. The chapter concludes with a brief mention of the beloved disciple, John.

In John Chapter 20, the story unfolds on the morning of Jesus' resurrection. Mary Magdalene discovers the empty tomb and runs to tell Peter and “the disciple who Jesus loved” (traditionally understood to be John), who come to investigate. They find the grave clothes but no body, leading to confusion. Mary stays behind weeping and encounters the risen Jesus, though she initially doesn’t recognize Him. Jesus then appears to the disciples, offering peace and breathing the Holy Spirit onto them. He commissions them to forgive sins. A week later, Thomas, who wasn’t present the first time, doubts the resurrection. Jesus appears again and invites Thomas to touch His wounds, leading Thomas to proclaim, "My Lord and my God!" The chapter concludes by stating that the signs recorded in the Gospel are written to help people believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, they may have life in His name. Thanks to Alex Carter for reading.

In John chapter 19, Jesus is condemned to be crucified by the Roman governor Pontius Pilate after being severely beaten and mocked by soldiers. Pilate offers to release Jesus as part of a Passover custom, but the crowd demands the release of Barabbas, a criminal, instead. Jesus is forced to carry His cross to Golgotha, where He is crucified between two thieves. As He hangs on the cross, He speaks several significant words, including entrusting the care of His mother to His disciple John and declaring "It is finished," signifying the completion of His mission. After His death, His body is taken down by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who prepare it for burial. This chapter highlights Jesus' victory over the powers that be through suffering and sacrifice instead of violence and domination.  Thanks to Tim Redman for reading.

John 15 focuses on the relationship between Jesus, His disciples, and God the Father. Jesus describes Himself as the true vine and His followers as the branches, emphasizing the importance of remaining in Him to bear fruit. He teaches that apart from Him, they can do nothing. Jesus commands His disciples to love one another as He has loved them, highlighting that this sacrificial love is the greatest form of obedience and the mark of true discipleship. He also warns them that the world will hate them because they belong to Him, just as it hated Him. Despite this, He assures them that the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, will guide and strengthen them. The chapter concludes with Jesus reiterating the importance of love, obedience, and the coming persecution, while reminding them that He has chosen them and appointed them to bear lasting fruit. Thanks to Amy Plank for reading.

In John 14, belief plays a central and multifaceted role. Jesus calls His disciples to trust in Him and believe in His identity and mission, especially as He prepares them for His departure. Belief in John 14 is about trusting in Jesus’ person and work, recognizing His unity with the Father, and living in obedience to His commands, all of which are empowered by the coming Holy Spirit. It’s a belief that is both relational and transformative, offering peace and a deeper connection with God. Thanks to Matt Lewis for reading.

Does might make right? John Chapter 13 begins with Jesus washing His disciples' feet, demonstrating humility and teaching them the importance of serving one another. During the Last Supper, He predicts His betrayal by Judas, who leaves to carry out his plan, and also foretells Peter's denial. Jesus then gives a new commandment to His disciples: to love one another as He has loved them, emphasizing that love will be the defining mark of His followers. The chapter highlights themes of servanthood, the tension of betrayal, and the deep love Jesus has for His disciples, even as He prepares for His impending death. Thanks to Tawnya Lewis for reading.

John Chapter 12 highlights the growing tension around Jesus’ ministry, with increasing opposition from religious leaders and a prophecy of his death. It contains moments of devotion (Mary anointing Jesus), public acclaim (the Triumphal Entry), and teaching about the purpose of his death. It also emphasizes the theme of light and darkness, belief and unbelief, and the cost of following Jesus. Thanks to Lynetter Palmer for reading, and apologies that Lynette’s reading got clipped short.

This chapter is one of the most dramatic and pivotal moments in the Gospel of John, where Jesus performs his most significant miracle: raising Lazarus from the dead. It reveals key aspects of Jesus' identity and mission and sets the stage for the events leading to his own death. Thanks to the Confirmation Class for reading.

John 10 is one of the most profound chapters in the Gospel of John, filled with Jesus' teachings about His identity, His relationship with His followers, and His divine mission. It also contains the famous "Good Shepherd" discourse, where Jesus describes Himself in intimate, pastoral terms. Thanks for David Alleshouse for reading.

John Chapter 9 focuses on the healing of a man born blind by Jesus, and the subsequent controversy it sparks. Thanks for Francis Alleshouse for reading.

John Chapter 8 presents a series of significant events and teachings from Jesus, including His confrontation with religious leaders, His claim to be the Light of the World, and the ultimate confrontation over His identity as the Son of God. The chapter also contains a famous account of Jesus' mercy toward a woman caught in adultery.  Thanks for Julie Myers for reading.

Jesus deals with the tension between those who believe in him and those that don’t with his brothers and his family of faith.  Also, those that believe in him proclaim him, and Jesus highlights this behavior as a marker of faith.   Thanks for Kenyra Glascow for reading.

Jesus teaches that he is the bread of life, that his body is bread and his blood is wine, and that unless we eat his body and drink his blood we have no part of him.  This is a challenging and beautiful maternal image.  It is also central to our practice of the Eucharist.  Thanks to Angel Cinco for reading.

Aristotle once said that, “We are what we repeatedly do.”  We continue to ask the question: Who is this guy?  Who is this Jesus that the gospel of John wants us to know and to worship?  In Chapter 5, we start to see some repeated actions of Jesus.  What do these repeated actions tell us about who Jesus is? Thanks to Catherine Loveland for Reading for reading.

In Chapter 4 we get the story of the Samaritan Woman at the Well.  There’s a lot in this story; from racial discord to gender issues, and from political discourse to theological debate.  Through it all Jesus practices empathy.  Also—and this is a question worthy of reflection—why was the woman at the well at noon and alone? Thanks to Evelyn Emerson for reading.

At the end of the chapter, John the Baptist goes to great pains to emphatically state he is not the messiah.  Likely this indicates that even though this gospel was written as much as 70 to 75 years after the time of John the Baptist there were still followers of John the Baptist who thought he was the messiah.  It can be really hard for us to let go of the messiahs we want and to accept the messiah that is.  In the first story Jesus and Nicodemus have a clandestine debate.  Verse 19 says, “and this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.”  I want us to keep this verse in mind when we get to the Resurrection stories at the end of the book.  What is the sentencing as a result of God’s judgement going to be? Thanks to Simon Birkoff for reading.

Jesus turns water into wine at a wedding in Cana.  Then he cleanses the temple in Jerusalem.  Both of these stories are told to credential Jesus as the messiah.  The abundance of wine harkens back to imagery used in the prophetic writings of Hebrew scriptures as a sign of God’s kingdom, for example.  Also the disciples are taking action, they are following, listening, and observing.  When have you observed Jesus at work in the world and how has that caused you to act? Thanks to Kim Nelson for reading.

The gospel of John is different.  As we read along, we will explore how John is different from Matthew, Mark, and Luke by asking two questions: Who does this gospel say Jesus is, and what is the connection between belief and action according to this gospel?   Thanks to Denise Birkoff for reading.

Father Jason discusses the Bible: what it is, what it is not, and he gives a bite-sized interpretation of the primary narrative of Scripture.