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
Tag: Resources
A brief timeline of Israel’s history
This page is very much a work in progress!
The Solemnity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe – Lectionary and Interpretation
This feast was initially instituted in 1925 to combat rising nationalism and fascism. The intent was to affirm the primacy of Christ over all nations. After Vatican 2, the feast was moved to close out the liturgical year. It is the culmination of Ordinary Time and is the point towards which the whole liturgical journey READ MORE
The Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ – Lectionary and Interpretation
This is one of two feasts celebrating particular doctrines (the Most Holy Trinity is the other one). We thank you, our Father, for the life and knowledge which you have made known to us through Jesus your Servant; to you be the glory forever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and READ MORE
The Feast of the Most Holy Trinity – Lectionary and Interpretation
This is one of two feasts celebrating particular doctrines (the Body and Blood is the other one). Bishop Arius died in 336. He denied the divinity of Christ by saying “There was a time when Christ was not.” He said Christ was merely an exalted creature. St. Augustine spent much of his life arguing against 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
New Testament Timeline
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The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for Ordinary Time
The liturgical season of Ordinary Time gets its name of this season from the Latin Ordo – ordered, ordinal. It just means that these are numbered Sundays: first, second, third, etc. I think this word “ordinary” puts a bad rap on it; it makes it sound like there’s nothing special about counting time between Christmas READ MORE
The Lectionary and Scripture Interpretation for the Easter season
In 1969 the General Norms for the Liturgical Year was approved by Pope Paul VI which implemented the reforms of Vatican II. This is what those norms say about the Easter season: In summary, the whole 50 days of Easter is like one long Sunday when we sing Alleluia with all our heart. There are READ MORE
The RCIA Scrutinies
An important part of the process to initiate adults in the Catholic church and prepare them for baptism are the Scrutinies that happen on the 3rd, 4th and 5th Sundays of Lent. While these Rites are liturgically celebrated only by the Elect (those seeking baptism), the contents and prayers of these Rites can be fruitful READ MORE