New Horizons from Disasters
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me..." (Jn 10:14). What is the biblical meaning of the word 'to know'? In order to understand this better, let us look at the meaning of knowing from the Hellenistic and Hebrew point of view. The word ‘knowing’ has different meanings in the ancient Greek and Hebrew languages. ......
Knowing, Seeing, Experiencing God
"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me..." (Jn 10:14). What is the biblical meaning of the word 'to know'? In order to understand this better, let us look at the meaning of knowing from the Hellenistic and Hebrew point of view. The word ‘knowing’ has different meanings in the ancient Greek and Hebrew languages. ......
Knowledge alone is not Experience
Some disciples of John the Baptist wanted to follow Jesus. Not only them, but many other people followed Jesus and became his disciples. It is written in John's Gospel that people said to John the Baptist: “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him” (Jn 3:26). ......
Ultrasonic waves of Faith
It is quite normal, before we go on a long journey, that we give instructions to our family about anything important. Jesus Christ did just the same before he made his long journey to heaven (ascension). At that time, one of his heartfelt concerns was faith. Therefore, He said to disciples before His departure to heaven: "The one who believes and is baptized will be ......
Existential Emptiness – the door to the Resurrection
There may be different causes for the deep disappointments, pains and sufferings. But there is something common: the feeling of hopelessness and existential emptiness. In the moment of absolute emptiness, one can feel God’s presence. Nobody is exempted from the existential darkness. The Atheists or the saints, all will be experiencing the painful ‘nothingness’. Mary Magdalene hasted to the sepulchre of Jesus after two ......
Who is my Neighbour? (Lk 10:29)
Is the one who is living in the neighbourhood? Are my relatives and friends my neighbours? One may think that the idols in sports and games or in music and film are ones neighbours. Perhaps they are all our neighbours; and to love them is indeed easy. ......
Christians: Sadists? Masochists?
It was a sprint. A world-famous athlete was the favourite for the gold. The race began. The track burned. Still only 100 meter more. He was about to break the world record. Exactly at the point, he has a muscle spasm in his leg. It was a terrible fall on the track. The dream for gold was blown out. A bitter disappointment! The athlete was not able to believe his ......
Modern Pharaohs and the Slaves
With great concern Jesus attended to the needs of his disciples: “When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, ‘Bring some of the fish that you have just caught’.” (Jn 21:9-10). Earlier Jesus know the difficult situation of his disciples: "Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did ......
Conversion is positive!
Convert from? to? “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Mt 4:17): the first public speech, of Jesus Christ. For decoration a woman cut a beautiful sunflower from the garden and with joy placed it in the living room in a vase. And hope to gaze always at the radiating and smiling face of the sunflower with its illuminating yellow hues. After some time, ......
Who is Jesus Christ –who are you?
“I myself have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God,” (Jn 1:34) so declared John the Baptist about the true identity of Jesus Christ. Who is Jesus Christ? Is He only a human being? John the Baptist will say: „No, He is the Son of God.” What does the Son of God do? Johannes will answer further: “He takes away the sin of the world.” (Jn 1:29). ......