Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A
1st Reading – 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a Second Kings deals mainly with the wars between Judah and Israel and the attacks on them from outside. The situation became even more critical when the Assyrians invaded, first in the 9th century B.C. and more vigorously in the 8th. Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom (Israel), fell in 721, […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A
1st Reading – Jeremiah 20:10-13 Jeremiah’s prophetic career extended from his youth in 626 B.C. to a date considerably later than the ruin of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. Thus he witnessed the brief renewal of the covenant people under Josiah; the latter’s death in 609 at Megiddo; the obstinate, weak, and futile resistance of Josiah’s successors to Babylon; […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) Cycle A
Introduction Corpus Christi is a doctrinal feast established in honor of Christ present in the Eucharist. Its purpose 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. The Berengarian heresy of the mid-11th century (named after Berengar of Tours) taught that […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 3rd Sunday of Advent Cycle A
Introduction For the past two weeks we have heard of the Lord’s coming as judge of all at the end of time. The priest wears penitential purple during this season to help us realize our part in turning from God’s covenant and participating in acts of darkness (sin), although pink may be worn on this, […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: Solemnity of Christ the King Cycle C
Introduction Instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1926, this feast was celebrated on the last Sunday of October to foster the awareness of Christ’s dominion over all people and to establish peace among nations. After Vatican Council II, the feast was transferred to the last Sunday of the Liturgical Year, the Sunday before Advent, on […]