Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle B
First Reading The Book of Wisdom was written in the late second or early 1st century B.C. in Greek. Until the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls it was not known to have existed in Hebrew, but its discovery there shows that it was accepted and used by the Jews of Jesus’ time in the […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Introduction A cousin of Jesus, Saint John had the unique office of forerunner of the Messiah; an office which had been foretold in the Old Testament (Malachi 3:1). John began to fulfill this office in the desert of Judea, on the banks of the Jordan. Clothed in skins, reminiscent of Elijah, he announced to all men the […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle B
1st Reading – Ezekiel 17:22-24 In the history of Judah there were three deportations to Babylon: in 605, eight years later in 597, and again eleven years later in 586. All three deportations were carried out by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The first deportation took place while Jerusalem was under siege and included the young prophet Daniel. […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle B
1st Reading – Genesis 3:9-15 The early chapters of the Book of Genesis have much to teach us about why things are as they are today. Today’s first reading tells us of the goings on immediately after Eve, then Adam, ate of the forbidden tree. Is this a true account, exact in every detail? We don’t know […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Cycle B
Introduction The purpose of the feast of Corpus Christi is to instruct the people in the mystery, faith, and devotion surrounding the Eucharist. The celebration of the feast evolved during the 13th and 14th centuries, having been preceded by the mid-11th century Berengarian heresy. Berengar of Tours was an archdeacon who taught that the presence of Christ in […]