HANUKKAH PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
Whether you light a Hanukkah menorah or not, kèep in mind this Sunday evening, the 25th, of Kislev, the beginning of Hanukkah, that the Maccabees lit the 7 branch temple menorah. The one unsealed bottle of the very special oil which should have lasted one night, lasted long enough for the worshipers to celebrate […]
HAGAH — MEDITATE ON THE LORD
Psalm 33:11 — The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. In the Hebrew Bible, the common verb for “meditate” is “hagah”, which can mean to murmur, utter, muse, or even growl, suggesting an audible, thoughtful recitation rather than silent detachment. The root of the Hebrew word for “Muse” […]
THE MENORAH PSALM
Psalm 67 Is the Menorah Psalm Psalm 67 has long been associated with the menorah because its literary and numerical structure mirrors the Temple lampstand in several traditional readings. Why it is called the Menorah Psalm Many Jewish sources refer to Psalm 67 as “the Menorah Psalm” or “Menorah Hymn,” since it is often written […]
PATTERNS OF PROPHECY
Reflections on the Papal Role, the Book of Maccabees, and Biblical High Priesthood During my recent visit to the Church of the Shroud in Turin, Italy, where the sacred burial linens of Jesus are entrusted solely to the Pope, I was astonished to see a particular display. Beside the protective case for these linens stood […]
CRY OUT
Exodus 3:7-9 — Then the Lord said, “I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out […]
A QUESTION TURNED INTO AN ACADEMIC PAPER
On the recent trip to Italy that Mary and I took, we visited the city of Turino (Turin) and the Church of the Shroud, where Jesus’s burial linen clothes are kept. To my surprise, right next door is this building below that I took this picture of. It is one places where Spanish Inquisition trials took place. Turino […]
IN A GARDEN
Preface Two days ago I fell on my face. It shook me up. As I layed on the ground in the dark, I prayed. So when I read this verse last night, it caught my attention. I paused and reflected. Matthew 26:39 — And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My […]
SELAH
When I see/hear the Hebrew word “Selah” I think of the Psalms. I think most bible lovers do. But have you ever thought about the word “Selah” itself? When I want to think about something, I write. So here/hear I go. (When I write, I listen to a small voice. I’m all ears.) Selah (סֶלָה) […]