Paul uses strong language to condemn anything that takes away from the power of the gospel which comes from faith in the cross of Jesus Christ alone. He uses the imagery of running a race and baking bread to make his points.

Jesus and the disciples leave the Upper Room and go out to the Mount of Olives, stopping at the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prays and the disciples fail to keep watch with him.

Jesus takes the Passover meal and invests new meaning in the wine and the bread. The wine symbolises his blood and the bread his body.

Jesus condemns the religious leaders as hypocrites, stating seven condemnations, and predicting judgement on them and Israel. The widow in Luke's Gospel contrasts this showing the right Kingdom attitude.

Jesus encourages his disciples to choose Jesus over relationships with other people, to face rejection because of the Gospel and to use their resources for the Kingdom. True disciples will influence their society.

At a meal in a Pharisee's house, Jesus told the challenging parable about the banquet. This was part of the Jewish expectations but Jesus encourages humility and hospitality.

In response to a question Jesus explains that people have to make a choice to believe and trust Jesus but that was not easy and not many would do so.

Jesus prepares his disciples for the time of persecution that will be coming to them as leaders of the Church. He encourages them, and us, to think of life beyond the present - into eternity.

There needs to be clear discipline procedures in the church community to deal with Christians who continue to sin.

The nine remaining disciples fail to heal a boy in the face of opposition. Jesus heals the boy, rewarding the father's faith. Faith has to grow and regular prayer brings power.