The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time Click here for more information. Overview and Connections Today’s gospel reading will speak to us of waiting. A quick review of Israel’s history shows that from Abraham to Isaac was about 100 years. From Isaac to Jacob (Israel) was also about 100 years. Israel’s 12 sons were READ MORE
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18th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time Click here for more information. Overview and Connections All three readings today speak of our relationship with material possessions, a topic that can be contentious in private-ownership societies. They also speak of the transitory nature of life, something we appreciate more deeply with each passing year. The READ MORE
17th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time Click here for more information. Overview and Connections Today’s readings explore conversation with God, with themes of persistence in asking and faith in receiving an answer. Genesis 18:20-32 Background of the book The Genesis narrative begins very broadly but quickly centers on the figure of Abram/Abraham, the READ MORE
Chapter and verse numberings in the Bible
We are so accustomed to quoting chapter and verse, it’s hard to imagine the Bible without these designations. But they are a relatively recent introduction. It’s always important to remember that ancient manuscripts generally did not have spacing or punctuation, let alone chapters and verses. Catholic Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, is generally credited with READ MORE
2 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
Maccabees
Author and Dating The priest Mattathias began the Jewish revolt against the Seleucid dynasty in 167BC. Judas Maccabeus was his third son. Judas had a place of leadership and honor among the people (see 1 Macc 2:66 and 1 Macc 5:63-64). Early Jewish literature referred to the family as the Hasmoneans. The actual author of READ MORE
16th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time Click here for more information. Overview and Connections The lectionary pairs a story of ancient hospitality with the very familiar story of Martha and Mary. In so doing, it seems to put the emphasis on the importance of hospitality. And yet, Jesus seems to suggest that there READ MORE
15th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time Click here for more information. Overview and Connections Today’s readings issue a call to wholehearted commitment, but they also remind us that such a call comes with a price. And yet, the call is given to each and every one of us. Deuteronomy 30:10-14 Background of the READ MORE
14th Sunday of Ordinary Time, Year C
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time Click here for more information. Overview and Connections Today’s readings issue a call to wholehearted commitment, but they also remind us that such a call comes with a price. And yet, the call is given to each and every one of us. Isaiah 66:10-14 Background of the READ MORE
Habakkuk
Genre The book is classified among the prophetic literature, and is included among the twelve minor prophets Date In 1:6 the Chaldeans are mentioned. In the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC, the Chaldeans conquered the Assyrians and were the primary force in the Near East world. The book is generally dated somewhere between READ MORE