Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading – Proverbs 31:10-13, 19-20, 30-31 The book of Proverbs is attributed to Solomon and is the oldest collection of inspired texts in the body of Wisdom literature. The book takes its name from the Hebrew word masal which means “a provocative saying;” a saying which gets the listener’s attention. In the early stages, these sayings […]

Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading – Wisdom 6:12-16 This book, which the Vulgate calls “Wisdom” and the Septuagint calls “The Wisdom of Solomon,” is one of the most typical books of Wisdom literature. Although the book itself claims that it was written by Solomon, it is a case of pseudonymity: a device often used in the ancient world to […]

Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

31st Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading – Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 The book of Malachi gets its name not from the author, who is unknown, but from the opening words of the book “An oracle. The word of the LORD to Israel through Malachi.” Malachi is a Hebrew word meaning “my messenger.” We know nothing of the author’s life, but from […]

Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading – Jeremiah 20:7-9 Jeremiah lived through one of the most troubled periods of the ancient near east. He witnessed the fall of a great empire (Assyria) and the rising of one even greater (Babylon). In the midst of this turmoil, the kingdom of Judah, then in the hands of deplorable kings, came to its downfall by […]

Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading – Isaiah 22:19-23 At various times we have reviewed the three author theory for the Book of Isaiah, the last time being the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time for this cycle. The first reading for this week comes from the first portion, that which has been attributed to Isaiah himself by all scholars. But are there […]