Author In a sense, this gospel was written by the community that followed the teachings of the disciple John. Some scholars identify this same person as the “Beloved Disciple” mentioned frequently in the gospel. The community likely resided in Ephesus, and there is a long tradition of reverence for the disciple John in that area. READ MORE
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1 Thessalonians
Historical Setting Thessalonica was a large and important port city. In Acts 16 Paul gets thrown out of Philippi for preaching and from there he goes to Thessalonica. In Acts 17 Paul preaches at the synagogue there. Some Jews responded; other Jews rejected Paul. There was an uproar and the Christians in the city had READ MORE
2 Peter
Author Most scholars agree that this letter was written much later than the historical Peter. In the ancient world, it was very common for someone to write something “in the name of” someone else. That the early church accepted this letter and attributed it to Peter indicates that the church recognizes the teaching of the READ MORE
Isaiah
The book of Isaiah is actually three “books,” each written during a different time in Israel’s history. Isaiah I: shape up or else; exile is coming chapters 1-39Isaiah II: Book of Consolation, comfort in captivity chapters 40-55; also called Deutero (Second) Isaiah and contains the “suffering servant songs”Isaiah III: going home chapters 56-66; also called READ MORE
1 Corinthians
Author Paul is the undisputed author of this letter. Date This book was written around 53-54 AD. Historical Setting Corinth was a big city crossroads with lots of ethnicities and religions – a melting pot. There was a high population of freed slaves who came to make their fortune and they were highly independent people. READ MORE
The Gospel According to Mark
Author There is some historical evidence that Peter is the main source for the gospel according to Mark. In the 2nd century, Justin Martyr made a reference to “Peter’s memoirs,” and he quotes a passage only found in the gospel of Mark. The 3rd century church historian Eusebius mentions a follower of Peter, named Mark, READ MORE
31st Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time More information can be found here. Malachi 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10 The Babylonian exile occurred at the end of the 600s BC. About 50 years later, the exiles were allowed to begin returning home. Almost immediately the Temple was rebuilt, but there was an overall and gradual decline in READ MORE
30th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time More information can be found here. Exodus 22:20-26 The book of Exodus is not an independent book but is an integral part of the Torah, which narrates the story of Israel from creation to the death of Moses. The Torah is divided into 5 separate books because the READ MORE
29th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time More information can be found here. Isaiah 45:1, 4-6 Isaiah I: shape up or else; exile is coming 1-39Isaiah II: Book of Consolation, comfort in captivity 40-55 Deutero Isaiah (suffering servant songs)Isaiah III: going home 56-66 Trito Isaiah; struggle for a new temple and new leadership Chps READ MORE
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Feast Days
A feast day brings an additional level to the interpretation of the readings. For a feast, all three readings are chosen to correspond to the theme of the feast. In a sense, they all go together but they do not necessarily depend on one another. Each reading stands alone and is interpreted primarily through the READ MORE