Sirach 35:12 – 14, 16 – 18 (in the Catholic Study Bible: 35:15b – 17, 20 – 22a)

This Sunday, we will hear from the Book of Sirach. As is usually the case, this passage was clearly chosen to prepare us for the Gospel.  Let’s review the “who, what, when, where and to whom” of this book. The Book of Sirach is one of the very last books of the Old Testament.  It was written between 195 and 180BC by a man who identifies himself as Jesus, son of Eleazar, son […]

Exodus 17:8 – 13

This Sunday, we will hear from the Book of Exodus.  As you will recall, the Book of Exodus is the second book of the Pentateuch, picking up where Genesis left off.  Its title derives from the LXX name given it.  You will recall that the LXX refers to the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament, traditionally said to have been translated by 70 or 72 Jewish scholars at the request of Ptolemy II: most scholars believe that only the Pentateuch was completed in the early part […]

2 Kings 5:14 – 17

This Sunday, we will hear from the Second Book of Kings. 1 and 2 Kings are among the Historical Books of the Bible.  Along with 1 and 2 Samuel, they record the activities of Samuel, Saul, David and Solomon, as well as many of the kings of the divided kingdom after Solomon.  Originally, 1 and 2 Samuel formed a single book.  The LXX (the oldest Greek version of the Old Testament, traditionally said to have been translated by 70 or 72 Jewish scholars at the request […]

Amos 8:4 – 7

This Sunday, we will hear from the Book of the Prophet Amos.  As usual, it prepares us for the Gospel.  Let’s quickly review the who, what, when, where, why and to whom of this book.  Let’s pull out our Biblical Timeline; let me know who needs one.  Amos came from Tekoa in the southern kingdom of Juda, but prophesied in the northern kingdom, apparently around the temple of Bethel.  The first verse of the book tells us the name of the prophet – Amos, his profession – […]

Please note that this will be my last commentary until September; have a great summer!

 John 14:23 – 29

Last Sunday, we heard the prologue to John’s Last Supper Discourses, in which the new commandment – to love one another – was introduced.  This Sunday, we hear a portion of the first Last Supper Discourse.  It appears to be a continuation of last week’s presentation on love.  As you will see in your footnote, most scholars consider the section of 13:31 – 17:26 to be Johannine compositions, modeled on farewell discourses found […]

John 10:27 – 30

This Sunday, we hear a portion of the beautiful, symbolic presentation of Jesus known as the Good Shepherd.  Of course, we do not hear Jesus refer to himself in these terms this Sunday; that happens earlier (cf. 10:14).   The verses we hear on Sunday are part of his discourse against the Pharisees. The good shepherd discourse continues the theme of attack on the Pharisees that ends John 9.  We will recall the account of the man born blind whom Jesus cured.  In this account, we see the […]

We have reached the Fourth Sunday of Lent, also known as Laetare Sunday.  Like Gaudete Sunday in Advent, we rejoice this Sunday because Lent is almost over.  The Entrance Antiphon, which we will not hear because we will sing an Entrance Chant, begins with “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her.  Be joyful, all who are mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.”  This short passage from the prophet Isaiah (cf. 66:10-11) sets the stage for today’s celebration.  In both the first reading from the Book of Joshua […]

Exodus 3:1 – 8a, 13 – 15

We are in the middle of Lent, our annual time of retreat.  We are called, once again, to take a look at how our life reflects what we believe in God.  And, as we will see in this Sunday’s readings, as we come to know God, we are called to action.  We also bow down in humility and gratitude before a God who is generous beyond our understanding, always ready to forgive as he continues to call us back to him.

Let’s look at […]