As you may have noticed, I usually begin our Bible Study/Faith Sharing with the first reading and then review the Gospel; if there is time, I then reflect on the second reading.  I do this because the first reading is usually selected to prepare us for the principal message for the week which is found in the gospel.  This week, however, I would like to start with the second reading because it is through the lens of this reading that the other two readings make most sense.  As we approach […]

Wisdom 6:12 – 16

This Sunday, we will hear from the Book of Wisdom. Again, the passage was clearly chosen to prepare us for the Gospel.  We need to seek wisdom in our lives in order to prepare for the time when God calls us to his heavenly banquet.  It has been awhile since we heard from Wisdom, so let’s review.  This book is not part of the Hebrew Masoretic collection but is included in the Septuagint manuscript; there, it is known as the Wisdom of Solomon and is included in […]

Malachi 1:14b – 2:2b, 8 – 10

This Sunday, we will hear from the Book of the prophet Malachi.  The last time we heard from Malachi was on the 33^rd Sunday of Ordinary time last year (in fact, it’s only these two Sundays that we hear from this prophet), so let’s look at its origin.  The work itself has no dates to give an indication of when it was written or what period of time is being addressed.  Since it addresses abuses that Ezra (priest from Babylon who returned to Jerusalem […]