Abraham is the father of three great religious traditions. We know him as the faithful man who, at the age of 75, answered God’s call to leave his native land and to journey with his wife to a place he had never seen. We know him as the man who...

“Do not be afraid.” Jesus says it three times in this passage. And whenever Scripture repeats itself, we should probably pay attention. “Do not be afraid.” It sounds comforting. It belongs on a greeting card, perhaps, or embroidered on a pillow. But in this chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus is...

Matthew tells us that Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing every disease and every sickness. It is a sweeping sentence, almost like a refrain. This is what Jesus does. He teaches, proclaims and heals. But...