Sandy Webb’s Funeral Homily: Baptism Does What?

John 3:1-7, 14-17; Genesis 7:11-13, 22-23; 8:1, 9:8-15; 1 Peter 3:18-21 Sometimes, someone enters your life who speaks the truth, flowing from a heart of love, without pretense or agenda.  Whenever a friend like this becomes part of your life, don’t let him go.  Such people are rare.  Don’t allow being comfortable to obstruct genuine […]

Holy Trinity: John 3:1-17

So naive is Nicodemus.  In the concealed obscurity of night, he visits Jesus.  Though seeking to remain undetected, he offers Him the highest praise, “Rabbi, you must be a teacher come from God.  For no one can perform the signs you do unless God is with him” (John 3:2).  Swept away by His miracles, such […]

John: Lesson 3: Jesus’ Early Ministry: The Temple and Nicodemus (John 2:13-3:21)

Jesus Cleanses the Temple (John 2:13-25)   Excursus: One or Two Temple Cleansings? Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell of Jesus cleansing the Temple: Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-17, and Luke 19:45-46.  John’s account, besides being much longer, differs in several ways:   John Other Gospel Accounts Refers to oxen and sheep Not mentioned Jesus uses […]

The Passion and the People: Nicodemus

John 3:1-9, 14-16: From Bystander to Believer   With Jesus crucified, the Apostle John identifies Nicodemus as “the man who earlier visited him at night” (John 19:39).  So, we travel back to their first meeting to learn of Nicodemus.  “A man from the Pharisees and a ruler of the Jews, Nicodemus, came to Jesus one […]

Holy Trinity: John 3:1-17

Paradox: That’s an underlying reality for the Feast of the Holy Trinity.  For the Holy Trinity is the paradox of all paradoxes.  And what is a paradox?  It’s a seeming contradiction that may still be true.  Would you like an example of a paradox?  How about this?  “And the catholic faith is this: We worship […]