Jesus and his disciples are en route from Galilee in the north to Jerusalem in the south for Passover. Their journey began after the transfiguration of Jesus. The journey was sandwiched between a preview of the resurrection, (the transfiguration), and the resurrection itself.

Matthew is a catechetical genius. Even though Mark’s gospel is older by a decade or two, Matthew deserves to be first in the New Testament. He arranges his material in such a way that the structure of his gospel becomes clear and the material lends itself to easy memorization.

Bishop Edward K. Braxton invites everyone to a special liturgy at 9 a.m. Nov. 2 in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel of the cathedral in Belleville.