Liturgical Bible Study Guide: Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday

1st Reading – Acts 10:34a, 37-43 Assuming that Jesus’ crucifixion occurred in A.D. 30, Paul (Saul) was converted in A.D. 33 and came to Jerusalem from his preaching in Damascus around A.D. 36. If the Acts of the Apostles is arranged in chronological order, today’s event occurs after Paul’s meeting with Peter in Jerusalem. What […]

Liturgical Bible Study Guide: Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity Cycle A

Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Introduction The doctrine of the Trinity describes the unique ways that we experience God’s presence in our lives. It is a confusing doctrine, even for adults, because it seems to imply three gods who are yet One God. When we speak of the mystery of creator and creation, we can only apprehend that mystery by […]

Liturgical Bible Study Guide: Pentecost Sunday Cycle A

Pentecost Sunday

Introduction Pentecost is an Israelite-Jewish festival. In Exodus 23:14-17 it is called simply the harvest festival, the feast of first-fruits of the grain harvest. In Exodus 34:22 it is called the feast of weeks, the first-fruits of the grain harvest. In Leviticus 23:15-21 the feast is reckoned by counting seven weeks from the beginning of […]

Liturgical Bible Study Guide: Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord Cycle A

Solemnity of the Ascension of Our Lord

Introduction The revelation we celebrate on this day is that the direct experience of God revealed to men and women in Jesus of Nazareth continues to be experienced when the Body of Christ, the Church, gathers in witness, love and mission. Jesus brought power and hope to people. As He talked, healed, and loved them, […]

Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 6th Sunday of Easter Cycle A

6th Sunday of Easter

1st Reading – Acts 8:5-8, 14-17 Last week we heard of the ordination of seven men as “assistants”: those who are to serve. In the intervening chapter (chapter 7) which comes between last week’s reading and this one, one of these assistants, Stephen by name, is martyred. The charges against him resemble those leveled against […]