'I am the handmaid of the Lord'

The healing at the pool of Bethesda

Jesus left Samaria for Galilee. He himself had declared that there is no respect for a prophet in his own country, but on his arrival the Galileans received him well, having seen all that he had done at Jerusalem during the festival which they too had attended. He went again to Cana in Galilee, where he had changed the water...

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birthHis disciples asked him,"Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,that he was born blind?"Jesus answered,"Neither he nor his parents sinned;it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day....

Today's first reading from Hosea 14 contains some of the most beautiful imagery in Scripture. It shows us God's loving heart for his people. Even though they had turned away, He will welcome them back, if they just ask for His forgiveness. "I will heal their defection, says the Lord, I will love them freely." In the Gospel reading from...