The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time More information can be found here. Isaiah 55:1-3 Book background These verses invite poor people to a joyful banquet. The only condition for inclusion is a thirst for God. Rabbinic commentators often used water as a metaphor for the Torah. The Jews were a people well accustomed READ MORE
Tag: Matthew
17th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time More information can be found here. 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 See book background here. Under King David, the Israelite kingdom was at its height of peace and prosperity. It continued to flourish under his son Solomon, but towards the end of Solomon’s reign, it began a decline READ MORE
16th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time More information can be found here. Wisdom 12:13, 16-19 Book background This book was written in the last half of the first century BC, about 50 years before Christ. The audience was Alexandrian Jews; they had been part of the Babylonian exile and ended up in Alexandria, READ MORE
15th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time More information can be found here. Isaiah 55:10-11 Book background Isaiah I: shape up or else; exile is coming 1-39Isaiah II – Book of Consolation, Comfort. People in captivity, discouraged and tempted to drift 40-55Isaiah III: going home 56-66 Trito Isaiah; struggle for a new temple and READ MORE
14th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time More information can be found here. Zechariah 9:9-10 Book background The verses from today’s passage paint an image of the ideal Jewish king, who later came to be known as the Messiah. At this time, remember that the people have been utterly conquered. They no longer rule READ MORE
13th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time More information can be found here. 2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16A Book background The books of Joshua, Judges, 1&2 Samuel, 1&2 Kings form one continuous work of history. These books take us from entering the promised land through the Babylonian exile. They were written in the early 600s READ MORE
12th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time More information can be found here. Jeremiah 20:10-13 Book background All the prophets wrote about the despair they sometimes felt in living out their mission, but Jeremiah takes it to a whole new level! His despair is liberally sprinkled throughout this book. He also wrote the book READ MORE
11th Sunday of Ordinary Time Year A
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time More information can be found here. Today’s Readings Today, we see God choosing people, but not because they are somehow “better” or more holy. The Jews were weak and vulnerable; a tiny nation in the midst of powerful foes. The disciples were a motley crew who abandoned READ MORE
Solemnity of the Ascension
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for the Easter season Click here for more information. Today’s Readings Today we celebrate the feast of the Ascension. Technically, Ascension happens 40 days after Easter, which is always on a Thursday. But most dioceses in the US transfer the feast to Sunday. Ten days after Ascension is Pentecost – READ MORE
Palm Sunday
Moving from Lent into Holy Week Although we are still technically in the season of Lent, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion shifts us into the unique liturgical time of Holy Week. Holy Thursday is traditionally the Chrism Mass, held by the local bishop to consecrate all the sacramental oils used in the diocese in READ MORE