The context provides a clue. At this point in the Gospel, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem to complete his mission. The cross looms large. He is hungry and sees a fig tree in the distance that is “covered ...

The Rev. Joe Nassal, priest at Precious Blood Center in Liberty: The context provides a clue. At this point in the Gospel, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem to complete his mission. The cross looms large. He ...

For more commentary on this week's readings, see the Reflections on the Lectionary page, which includes Roth's current Living by the Word column as well as past magazine and blog content. For ...

The Rev. Joe Nassal, priest at Precious Blood Center in Liberty: The context provides a clue. At this point in the Gospel, Jesus arrives in Jerusalem to complete his mission. The cross looms large. He ...

On this day we celebrate the feast of St. Bartholomew, who many believe is the apostle called Nathanael in John 1:45-51, today's Gospel. "Philip found Nathanael and told him, 'We have found the one ...

In Luke 13, Jesus tells a parable about a barren fig tree. The tree is planted in a vineyard, which sounds weird, but fig trees were often used as trellises in vineyards. The owner is unhappy because ...

In today’s gospel, Jesus expressed amazement at his contemporaries for their failure to read the signs of the times. In simplest terms, he pointed to the weather and the seasons for their obvious ...

Slip under the shade of a fig tree with me and listen to the unusual way Jesus told one of his future disciples that exciting days were just ahead. “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus told Nathanael in ...

Sunday, Nov. 18, is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time. Mass Readings: Daniel 12:1-3; Psalm 16:5, 8, 9-10, 11; Hebrews 10:11-14, 18; Mark 13:24-32. After another long day of back-and-forth with the ...

Voices of Faith offers perspectives from religion columnists. This week’s question: What explains Jesus’ impatience with the fig tree? A parable on leadership The Rev. Joe Nassal, priest at Precious ...