“Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”—Mark 7:27 At first glance, these words of Jesus seem unsettling. The gentle Rabbi, the Good Shepherd, the One who heals the broken-hearted, here appears uncharacteristically harsh—dismissing a desperate woman with what sounds like […]
Why Did Jesus Compare the Syrophoenician Woman to a Dog? Read More »
In the grand narrative of Scripture, few stories illuminate the person and work of Christ more brilliantly than that of Joseph, son of Jacob. Like a master artist laying down preliminary sketches before revealing their masterpiece, God embedded in Joseph’s life a remarkable prefiguration of His Son’s redemptive mission. The parallels emerge with striking clarity:
Joseph and Jesus: Biblical Typology in the Old Testament Read More »
The light tolerates not the darkness, for in its fullness, there is no room for shadow. Yet in this life, the light allows the presence of darkness, that its brightness might be seen more clearly in contrast by men. If the hearts of men were but pure, there would be no cause for shadow—a place
Fall of Man: Hiding in the Shadows Read More »
Origen of Alexandria, born around A.D. 185, stands as one of early Christianity’s most significant theologians and scholars. His life and works reflect a deep devotion to Scripture, a relentless pursuit of truth, and a controversial legacy that shaped Christian theology for centuries. This blog explores what we know of Origen’s life, based on historical
The Life and Legacy of Origen: An Early Catholic Scholar Read More »
Have you ever found yourself doing something you swore you wouldn’t do? Maybe you overindulged in food or drink after vowing to cut back, lashed out in anger despite your intention to stay calm, or fell into gossip when you’d resolved to keep silent. Perhaps you faced a deeper temptation—one you truly detested—yet found yourself
The Inner Struggle: Why Do I Do What I Hate? Read More »
In Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, Brant Pitre reimagines how we understand Mary by connecting her role as the queen mother to the ancient traditions of Israel. With a focus on biblical context and historical insight, this chapter reshapes common perspectives on Mary, showing how her position as the mother of Jesus mirrors
Understanding Mary as the Queen Mother: A Biblical Perspective Read More »
The Ark of the Covenant has long captivated the human imagination, from ancient Jewish worship to modern pop culture, famously through Raiders of the Lost Ark. Yet, beyond its legendary status, the Ark serves as a significant biblical and theological cornerstone. In Chapter 3 of Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, Brant Pitre explores
Discovering the New Ark: Mary’s Role in the New Exodus Read More »
When I first contemplated the words of the Lord’s Prayer, the line “Give us this day our daily bread” initially seemed straightforward. At the time, I interpreted it as a clear reference to the Eucharist, which I was receiving daily. However, I began to question the phrasing—why the apparent redundancy between “daily” and “give us
Give Us This Day Our Supersubstantial Bread: The Eucharistic Heart of the Lord’s Prayer Read More »
In Chapter 2 of Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary, Brant Pitre explores how Mary is understood as the “New Eve” within Christian theology. Drawing from the New Testament, Old Testament, and ancient Jewish traditions, Pitre highlights the deep theological parallels between Mary and Eve, showing how Mary fulfills the role of the woman
Chapter 2: The New Eve Read More »
Chapter 1: Queen of Heaven In his comprehensive exploration of Marian theology, Brant Pitre’s book Jesus and the Jewish Roots of Mary delves deeply into the foundations of Catholic beliefs about Mary. The first chapter, titled “The Queen of Heaven,” tackles one of the most misunderstood aspects of Marian devotion—her title as Queen of Heaven—and
The Truth About Mary: Was She The Queen Of Heaven? Read More »
