Liturgical Bible Study Guide: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord Cycle A
Gospel – Matthew 3:13-17 The fact of Jesus’ baptism has been a christological and theological issue to be reckoned with almost since it happened. After all, why would Jesus, who was sinless, participate in a rite for sinners? Also, why would Jesus, the Messiah and clearly superior to John the Baptist, submit to the authority […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Cycle A
Last week we heard the parable of the wise and foolish virgins; a reminder to us all to live out our faith every day so that we will be prepared for the day of the Lord; the day when we are admitted to the heavenly banquet. Today we hear the parable of the talents. A […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: Dedication of St. John Lateran
Introduction With the ascent of Constantine as Emperor of Rome (306-337), the days of bloodyChristian persecutions came to an end. Placed at first on an equal footing with paganism, Christianity soon became the official religion of the Roman Empire. Constantine was the son of Constantius I, Roman Emperor of the West (305-6), and Helena, a […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: All Souls Day
All souls day commemorates all the Faithful Departed. Solemn commemorations of the dead have been made from the seventh century on, but at different times. Adilo of Cluny (a town in southern France in which a Benedictine abbey was established in 910) is generally credited with the fixing of November 2 as the day for […]
Liturgical Bible Study Guide: 3rd Sunday of Easter Cycle C
1st Reading – Acts 5:27-32, 40b-41 Last week we heard how the Apostles began to minister to the people in the sameway that Jesus had done. This week we hear of the persecution the apostles enduredbecause of their ministry. The Episcopalians and Lutherans last week heard of both theministry and the persecution and this week […]