Jeanie Hannaman

By Russell M. Lawson, Catholic Exchange - James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John the Apostle, one of the first disciples of Jesus, was a fiery personality completely committed to the Great Commission. He was also the first martyr of Jesus’ disciples. His zeal bore the weight of sacrifice... The Gospels tell a story about the disciples and Jesus. Early in His ministry, Jesus was preaching to listeners near Capernaum, a place of fisherman, about the Kingdom of God. Among the listeners were two young men, James and John, the sons of a fisher named Zebedee. Jesus preached from a fishing boat owned by Simon Peter, who, with his brother Andrew, were fishers as well and likely engaged in business with the Zebedees.

By Deacon Keith Fournier, LifeSiteNews - I love the parables of Jesus. He drew his examples from the lived experience of those who followed Him during His public ministry. Those early disciples were used to the pattern of preparing the soil in the fields, planting the seed, and reaping the crops... It has taken me many years to even begin to grasp the meaning... The meaning of the agrarian parables Jesus used became increasingly clear as I watched those fields (of southeastern Virginia) become green every spring. Of course, preceding all of this, there were those barren-looking fields, seemingly lifeless before the seed is even sown.