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In this Gospel Jesus talks about two situations where innocent people were killed. Jesus articulates the thoughts of the people who believed that the people who were killed were not only responsible for their misfortunate but that their bad luck was likely a result of God punishing them. Jesus challenges this “blaming the victim’ stance. This theme, namely that misfortune is a sign of sin is very clear in (John 9:1-23) where Jesus heals a blind man. Before he does ,the disciples ask Jesus who sinned, was it the man or his parents that lead to this man’s blindness? Jesus corrects his disciples saying that this man’s blindness had nothing to do with sin.

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This Podcast focusses on one of the most unusual Gospel passages of all the Gospels; the Transfiguration. Moses and Elijah appear with Jesus in front of Peter, James and John. The event seems unexpected and following the event the disciples are silent about the experience. They don’t tell anyone. How could they possibly explain to someone what they saw and then expect to be believed?

Those that have experienced spiritual or even mystical experiences know the difficulty of trying to share and/or describe the experiences to someone. Words don’t seem to be adequate to describe what happened. Even today, 2000 years later we are unable to understand what happened and maybe we are not supposed to. Perhaps the Transfiguration is a reminder that God’s ways are different from ours.

Perhaps the Transfiguration is a reminder that God’s ways are different from ours.

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We don’t know for sure what Jesus actually did while he was in the desert. In biblical times, going to the desert held significant spiritual, symbolic, and practical meanings. Here are some key aspects of its significance. The desert was often a place where individuals were prepared for their destinies. The desert offered solitude, which was conducive to reflection and prayer. John the Baptist like so many others, used this solitude to prepare for his ministry. This period allowed for spiritual growth and purification. The desert environment was harsh and so fostered a sense of dependence on God, emphasizing humility as a prerequisite for spiritual understanding. The desert provided a setting for direct communication with God, free from distractions. We have many examples of Jesus going to a deserted place to pray. This is evident in the stories of Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, who all had significant encounters with God in the desert. The Israelites faced numerous challenges during their 40-year journey. This symbolism highlights the desert as a proving ground for faith. Despite its harsh conditions, the desert was where God demonstrated His provision and faithfulness. The Israelites received manna and quail, illustrating God's care for His people especially in the time of hardship. In summary, the desert in biblical times was a place of spiritual transformation, symbolic testing, and practical demonstration of God's presence and provision.