John van de Laar

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK It is easy to reduce faith to a system of ideas that we simply have to accept. It is easy to make salvation nothing more [...]

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK The first week of Lent always leads us to contemplate the temptations of Jesus. We do this, firstly, to learn more about who Jesus was, [...]

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Jesus' ministry is touched at two significant moments by God's glory and God's voice. The first was at his baptism as he started his ministry. [...]

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Immediately after the Beatitudes, Jesus was sure to clarify his relationship with the Law of Moses. He had not come to do away with the [...]

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK In the prophecy of Micah, which is one of the Lectionary readings for today, the prophet asks what God requires of God’s people. Then he [...]

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK The Scriptures often use images of light and darkness to describe the impact of God’s reign on the world. The works of evil, often done [...]

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK Answering the call to follow the Lamb of God, as Jesus’ disciples did, is a daily decision made in the little details of how much [...]

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK The season after the Epiphany always begins with the story of Jesus’ baptism. This story is significant for at least two reasons. The first is [...]

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK This Sunday is the second last of the twelve days of Christmas, and Tuesday is the great celebration of Epiphany, which leads us into the [...]

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK This year, with Matthew’s Gospel as the focus, the Christmas season moves into surprising territory. Having just celebrated the birth of Christ, the Lectionary now [...]