Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle B
1st Reading -1 Kings19:4-8 Two weeks ago (17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B) we explored a little of the background of 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings and the fact that they cover the period of time in Hebrew history from the death of the first king (Saul) to the Babylonian […]
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: 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: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A
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
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 […]