"Sunday Scripture Study" Discussion & Fellowship

January 29, 2012: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2012-01-27T09:33:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, Catholic Matters can be found here, the Catena Aurea ("Golden Chain") of St. Thomas Aquinas [NEW] can be found here, and the Haydock Commentary [NEW] can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

January 22, 2012: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2012-01-20T17:11:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, [NEW] Dr. Michael Barber, and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

January 15, 2012: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2012-01-13T18:30:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn,, [NEW] Dr. Michael Barber, and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

January 8, 2012: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2012-01-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

December 25, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-12-23T15:28:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lord--Christmas Day. May you and yours receive the richest blessings from God on this glorious celebration of his Divine Son's coming into the world, taking on human flesh to be our Savior!

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, and Fr. Robert Barron.

An hour long Catholic Bible study podcast can be found at St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week and a Merry Christmas!

December 18, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-12-16T15:16:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Advent.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

December 11, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-12-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete (Joyful) Sunday.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

December 4, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-12-03T07:23:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the Second Sunday of Advent.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

November 27, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-11-25T18:44:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the First Sunday in Advent. It marks the beginning of a new liturgical year, and the time we prepare for the two comings of Christ: on Christmas, when he first came into the world as a humble infant, and toward his Second Coming at the end of time when he will come in glory. It also marks the introduction of the revised Sacramentary in the Catholic liturgy.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, and Fr. Robert Barron.

An hour long Catholic Bible study podcast can be found at St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

November 20, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-11-18T06:43:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the Solemnity of Christ the King.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

November 13, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-11-11T09:51:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three short audio reflections on the readings by Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron, and Dr. Michael Barber.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

November 6, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-11-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron, and Dr. Michael Barber.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

October 30, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-10-28T10:08:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron, and Dr. Michael Barber.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

October 23, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-10-22T12:57:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron, and Dr. Michael Barber.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

October 16, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-10-15T10:41:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are four short audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron, and Dr. Michael Barber.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

October 9, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-10-07T10:39:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

October 2, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-10-01T17:13:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

September 25, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Reading

2011-09-23T16:01:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

September 18, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-09-17T22:08:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are two Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
--Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

September 11, 2011: Studies and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-09-09T11:07:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast (about an hour long): St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

September 4, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-09-02T21:25:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 23nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast (about an hour long): St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

August 28, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-08-26T19:34:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
- St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
- Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

August 21, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-08-20T22:25:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
- St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
- Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

August 14, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-08-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 20th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
- St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
- Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

August 7, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-08-05T06:45:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 19th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
- St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
- Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

July 31, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-07-29T10:16:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here under "Current Study.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
- St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
- Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

July 24, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-07-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study on the Sunday Readings can be found here.

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
- St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
- Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

July 17, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-07-15T21:37:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
- St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
- Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

July 10, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-07-08T07:39:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
- St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
- Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

July 3, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-07-01T10:01:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
- St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
- Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

June 26, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-06-24T12:27:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
- St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
- Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

June 19, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-06-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is Trinity Sunday.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts (each about an hour long):
- St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.
- Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

June 12, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-06-10T12:22:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn, Fr. Robert Barron and St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation.

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Conclusion: Sections 134 to141

2011-06-09T16:07:00.000-07:00

IN BRIEF

134 All Sacred Scripture is but one book, and this one book is Christ, "because all divine Scripture speaks of Christ, and all divine Scripture is fulfilled in Christ" (Hugh of St. Victor, De arca Noe 2,8:PL 176,642: cf. ibid. 2,9:PL 176,642-643).

135 "The Sacred Scriptures contain the Word of God and, because they are inspired, they are truly the Word of God" (DV 24).

136 God is the author of Sacred Scripture because he inspired its human authors; he acts in them and by means of them. He thus gives assurance that their writings teach without error his saving truth (cf. DV 11).
137 Interpretation of the inspired Scripture must be attentive above all to what God wants to reveal through the sacred authors for our salvation. What comes from the Spirit is not fully "understood except by the Spirit's action' (cf. Origen, Hom. in Ex. 4, 5: PG 12, 320).

138 The Church accepts and venerates as inspired the 46 books of the Old Testament and the 27 books of the New.

139 The four Gospels occupy a central place because Christ Jesus is their center.

140 The unity of the two Testaments proceeds from the unity of God's plan and his Revelation. The Old Testament prepares for the New and the New Testament fulfills the Old; the two shed light on each other; both are true Word of God.

141 "The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures as she venerated the Body of the Lord" (DV 21): both nourish and govern the whole Christian life. "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Ps 119:105; cf. Is 50:4).

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Sections 131 thru133

2011-06-04T17:05:00.000-07:00

SACRED SCRIPTURE IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH

131 "And such is the force and power of the Word of God that it can serve the Church as her support and vigor, and the children of the Church as strength for their faith, food for the soul, and a pure and lasting fount of spiritual life."¹⁰⁹ Hence "access to Sacred Scripture ought to be open wide to the Christian faithful."¹¹⁰

132 "Therefore, the study of the sacred page should be the very soul of sacred theology. The ministry of the Word, too - pastoral preaching, catechetics and all forms of Christian instruction, among which the liturgical homily should hold pride of place - is healthily nourished and thrives in holiness through the Word of Scripture."¹¹¹

133 The Church "forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful. . . to learn the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ, by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.¹¹²

109 DV 21.
110 DV 22.
111 DV 24.
112 DV 25; cf. Phil 3:8 and St. Jerome, Commentariorum in Isaiam libri xviii prol.:PL 24,17B.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

June 5th : Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-06-03T10:09:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday (in most dioceses in the U.S.) is the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields and Fr. Robert Barron.

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Sections 128 to130

2011-06-03T09:42:00.000-07:00

The unity of the Old and New Testaments

128 The Church, as early as apostolic times,¹⁰⁴ and then constantly in her Tradition, has illuminated the unity of the divine plan in the two Testaments through typology, which discerns in God's works of the Old Covenant prefigurations of what he accomplished in the fullness of time in the person of his incarnate Son.

129 Christians therefore read the Old Testament in the light of Christ crucified and risen. Such typological reading discloses the inexhaustible content of the Old Testament; but it must not make us forget that the Old Testament retains its own intrinsic value as Revelation reaffirmed by our Lord himself.¹⁰⁵ Besides, the New Testament has to be read in the light of the Old. Early Christian catechesis made constant use of the Old Testament.¹⁰⁶ As an old saying put it, the New Testament lies hidden in the Old and the Old Testament is unveiled in the New.¹⁰⁷

130 Typology indicates the dynamic movement toward the fulfillment of the divine plan when "God [will] be everything to everyone."¹⁰⁸ Nor do the calling of the patriarchs and the exodus from Egypt, for example, lose their own value in God's plan, from the mere fact that they were intermediate stages.

104 Cf. 1 Cor 10:6,11; Heb 10:l; l Pet 3:21.
105 Cf. Mk 12:29-31
106 Cf. 1 Cor 5:6-8; 10:1-11.
107 Cf. St. Augustine, Quaest. in Hept. 2,73:PL 34,623; Cf. DV 16.
108 1 Cor 15:28.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Section 127

2011-05-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

127 The fourfold Gospel [see section 126, par. 3] holds a unique place in the Church, as is evident both in the veneration which the liturgy accords it and in the surpassing attraction it has exercised on the saints at all times:

There is no doctrine which could be better, more precious and more splendid than the text of the Gospel. Behold and retain what our Lord and Master, Christ, has taught by his words and accomplished by his deeds.¹⁰²

But above all it's the gospels that occupy my mind when I'm at prayer; my poor soul has so many needs, and yet this is the one thing needful. I'm always finding fresh lights there; hidden meanings which had meant nothing to me hitherto.¹⁰³102 St. Caesaria the Younger to St. Richildis and St. Radegunde, SCh 345, 480.103 St. Thérèse of Lisieux, ms. autob. A 83v.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

May 29th : Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-05-27T16:56:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 6th Sunday of Easter, and we will hear Jesus' promise of the Holy Spirit-- the Advocate, which will lead his Church into all truth. He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. We'd like to thank a generous donor who recently helped us cover the cost of our internet server for the main website for this year. God is good!

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Section 126

2011-05-26T19:06:00.000-07:00

126 We can distinguish three stages in the formation of the Gospels:

1. The life and teaching of Jesus. The Church holds firmly that the four Gospels, "whose historicity she unhesitatingly affirms, faithfully hand on what Jesus, the Son of God, while he lived among men, really did and taught for their eternal salvation, until the day when he was taken up."⁹⁹

2. The oral tradition. "For, after the ascension of the Lord, the apostles handed on to their hearers what he had said and done, but with that fuller understanding which they, instructed by the glorious events of Christ and enlightened by the Spirit of truth, now enjoyed."¹⁰⁰

3. The written Gospels. "The sacred authors, in writing the four Gospels, selected certain of the many elements which had been handed on, either orally or already in written form; others they synthesized or explained with an eye to the situation of the churches, the while sustaining the form of preaching, but always in such a fashion that they have told us the honest truth about Jesus."¹⁰¹

99 DV 19; cf. Acts 1:1-2.
100 DV 19.
101 DV 19.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

May 22nd : Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-05-20T18:39:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 5th Sunday of Easter, and we will hear Jesus tell his apostles (and us) that he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Sections 124 & 125

2011-05-18T22:08:00.000-07:00

The New Testament

124 "The Word of God, which is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, is set forth and displays its power in a most wonderful way in the writings of the New Testament"⁹⁶ which hand on the ultimate truth of God's Revelation. Their central object is Jesus Christ, God's incarnate Son: his acts, teachings, Passion and glorification, and his Church's beginnings under the Spirit's guidance.⁹⁷

125 The Gospels are the heart of all the Scriptures "because they are our principal source for the life and teaching of the Incarnate Word, our Savior".⁹⁸

96 DV 17; cf. Rom 1:16.
97 Cf. DV 20.
98 DV 18.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Sections 121 thru 123

2011-05-16T22:08:00.000-07:00

The Old Testament

121 The Old Testament is an indispensable part of Sacred Scripture. Its books are divinely inspired and retain a permanent value,⁹² for the Old Covenant has never been revoked.

122 Indeed, "the economy of the Old Testament was deliberately so oriented that it should prepare for and declare in prophecy the coming of Christ, redeemer of all men."⁹³ "Even though they contain matters imperfect and provisional,"⁹⁴ the books of the Old Testament bear witness to the whole divine pedagogy of God's saving love: these writings "are a storehouse of sublime teaching on God and of sound wisdom on human life, as well as a wonderful treasury of prayers; in them, too, the mystery of our salvation is present in a hidden way."⁹⁵

123 Christians venerate the Old Testament as true Word of God. The Church has always vigorously opposed the idea of rejecting the Old Testament under the pretext that the New has rendered it void (Marcionism).

92 Cf. DV 14.
93 DV 15.
94 DV 15.
95 DV 15.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Section 120

2011-05-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

IV. THE CANON OF SCRIPTURE

120 It was by the apostolic Tradition that the Church discerned which writings are to be included in the list of the sacred books.⁹⁰ This complete list is called the canon of Scripture. It includes 46 books for the Old Testament (45 if we count Jeremiah and Lamentations as one) and 27 for the New.⁹¹

The Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, 1 and 2 Chronicles, Ezra and Nehemiah, Tobit, Judith, Esther, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, the Song of Songs, the Wisdom of Solomon, Sirach (Ecclesiasticus), Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Baruch, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah and Malachi.

The New Testament: the Gospels according to Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, the Acts of the Apostles, the Letters of St. Paul to the Romans, 1 and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, the Letter to the Hebrews, the Letters of James, 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, and Jude, and Revelation (the Apocalypse).

90 Cf. DV 8 § 3.
91 Cf. DS 179; 1334-1336; 1501-1504.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

May 15th : Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-05-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Easter, also call "Good Shepherd Sunday". He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Sections 118 & 119

2011-05-13T10:19:00.000-07:00

118 A medieval couplet summarizes the significance of the four senses [of Sacred Scripture]:

The Letter speaks of deeds; Allegory to faith;The Moral how to act; Anagogy our destiny.⁸⁷

119 "It is the task of exegetes to work, according to these rules, towards a better understanding and explanation of the meaning of Sacred Scripture in order that their research may help the Church to form a firmer judgment. For, of course, all that has been said about the manner of interpreting Scripture is ultimately subject to the judgement of the Church which exercises the divinely conferred commission and ministry of watching over and interpreting the Word of God."⁸⁸

But I would not believe in the Gospel, had not the authority of the Catholic Church already moved me.⁸⁹

87 Lettera gesta docet, quid credas allegoria, moralis quid agas, quo tendas anagogia; Augustine of Dacia, Rotulus pugillaris, I: ed. A. Walz: Angelicum 6 (1929) 256.
88 DV 12 § 3.
89 St. Augustine, Contra epistolam Manichaei, 5,6:PL 42,176.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Sections 115 thru 117

2011-05-10T22:10:00.000-07:00

The senses of Scripture

115 According to an ancient tradition, one can distinguish between two senses of Scripture: the literal and the spiritual, the latter being subdivided into the allegorical, moral and anagogical senses. The profound concordance of the four senses guarantees all its richness to the living reading of Scripture in the Church.

116 The literal sense is the meaning conveyed by the words of Scripture and discovered by exegesis, following the rules of sound interpretation: "All other senses of Sacred Scripture are based on the literal."⁸³

117 The spiritual sense. Thanks to the unity of God's plan, not only the text of Scripture but also the realities and events about which it speaks can be signs.

1. The allegorical sense. We can acquire a more profound understanding of events by recognizing their significance in Christ; thus the crossing of the Red Sea is a sign or type of Christ's victory and also of Christian Baptism.⁸⁴

2. The moral sense. The events reported in Scripture ought to lead us to act justly. As St. Paul says, they were written "for our instruction".⁸⁵

3. The anagogical sense (Greek: anagoge, "leading"). We can view realities and events in terms of their eternal significance, leading us toward our true homeland: thus the Church on earth is a sign of the heavenly Jerusalem.⁸⁶

83 St. Thomas Aquinas, STh I, 1, 10, ad I.
84 Cf. 1 Cor 10:2.
85 1 Cor 10:11; cf. Heb 3:1-4:11.
86 Cf. Rev 21:1-22:5.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Sections 112 & 114

2011-05-09T21:35:00.000-07:00

The Second Vatican Council indicates three criteria for interpreting Scripture in accordance with the Spirit who inspired it.⁷⁸

112 1. Be especially attentive "to the content and unity of the whole Scripture". Different as the books which compose it may be, Scripture is a unity by reason of the unity of God's plan, of which Christ Jesus is the center and heart, open since his Passover.⁷⁹

The phrase "heart of Christ" can refer to Sacred Scripture, which makes known his heart, closed before the Passion, as the Scripture was obscure. But the Scripture has been opened since the Passion; since those who from then on have understood it, consider and discern in what way the prophecies must be interpreted.⁸⁰

113 2. Read the Scripture within "the living Tradition of the whole Church". According to a saying of the Fathers, Sacred Scripture is written principally in the Church's heart rather than in documents and records, for the Church carries in her Tradition the living memorial of God's Word, and it is the Holy Spirit who gives her the spiritual interpretation of the Scripture (". . . according to the spiritual meaning which the Spirit grants to the Church"⁸¹).

114 3. Be attentive to the analogy of faith.⁸² By "analogy of faith" we mean the coherence of the truths of faith among themselves and within the whole plan of Revelation.

78 Cf. DV 12 § 4.
79 Cf. Lk 24:25-27,44-46.
80 St. Thomas Aquinas, Expos. in Ps. 21,11; cf. Ps 22:14.
81 Origen, Hom. in Lev. 5,5:PG 12,454D.
82 Cf. Rom 12:6.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Sections 110 & 111

2011-05-08T22:20:00.000-07:00

110 In order to discover the sacred authors' intention, the reader must take into account the conditions of their time and culture, the literary genres in use at that time, and the modes of feeling, speaking and narrating then current. "For the fact is that truth is differently presented and expressed in the various types of historical writing, in prophetical and poetical texts, and in other forms of literary expression."⁷⁶

111 But since Sacred Scripture is inspired, there is another and no less important principle of correct interpretation, without which Scripture would remain a dead letter. "Sacred Scripture must be read and interpreted in the light of the same Spirit by whom it was written."⁷⁷

The Second Vatican Council indicates three criteria for interpreting Scripture in accordance with the Spirit who inspired it.⁷⁸

76 DV 12 § 2.
77 DV 12 § 3.
78 Cf. DV 12 § 4.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Section 109

2011-05-08T14:52:00.000-07:00

III. THE HOLY SPIRIT, INTERPRETER OF SCRIPTURE

109 In Sacred Scripture, God speaks to man in a human way. To interpret Scripture correctly, the reader must be attentive to what the human authors truly wanted to affirm, and to what God wanted to reveal to us by their words.⁷⁵

75 Cf. DV 12 § 1.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

Is the Bible Inerrant Only in Matters Pertaining to Our Salvation?

2011-05-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

Q: I read a book by a Scripture scholar who said the Bible is inerrant only in religious matters that pertain to our salvation. He quoted Vatican II as the source of this "limited inerrancy" doctrine.

A: The documents of Vatican II don’t limit biblical inerrancy to religious truths necessary for salvation or even to religious matters in general.

The Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum), states, "Therefore, since everything asserted by the inspired authors or sacred writers must be held to be asserted by the Holy Spirit, it follows that the books of Scripture must be acknowledged as teaching solidly, faithfully, and without error that truth which God wanted put into the sacred writings for the sake of our salvation" (no. 11).

Proponents of "limited inerrancy" claim this last clause is restrictive: Inerrancy extends only to things pertaining to our salvation. Whether or not this is the case (such a reading isn’t required by the Latin), the "limited inerrancy" position is still weak.

First, even granting (though not conceding) that Dei Verbum restricts inerrancy to matters of salvation, this isn’t the same as limiting it to religious or moral truths. Historical or scientific assertions made "for the sake of our salvation" would be inerrant too.

Second, the theological commission at the Council stated that the term salutaris ("for the sake of our salvation") doesn’t mean that only the salvific truths of the Bible are inspired or that the Bible as a whole isn’t the Word of God. (See A. Grillmeier’s "The Divine Inspiration and Interpretation of Sacred Scripture" in H. Vorgrimler, ed., Commentary on the Documents of Vatican II, vol. III, p. 213.)

If the whole of Scripture is inspired, and if what the biblical writer asserts the Holy Spirit asserts, then, unless error is to be attributed to the Holy Spirit or unless the biblical authors assert only religious truths (which isn’t the case--some make historical assertions, such as the historical existence of Jesus), inerrancy can’t be limited to religious truths.

Third, the language of Dei Verbum no. 11 is taken directly from previous conciliar and papal teaching on the subject. The footnotes to this section refer to Leo XIII’s Providentissimus Deus and Pius XII’s Divino Afflante Spiritu, documents which reject the idea that inerrancy is limited to religious matters. It seems unlikely the Council would be teaching a position contrary to these documents.

Although inerrancy isn’t limited to religious truths which pertain to salvation but may include non-religious assertions by the biblical authors, this doesn’t mean Scripture is an inspired textbook of science or history. Inerrancy extends to what the biblical writers intend to teach, not necessarily to what they assume or presuppose or what isn’t integral to what they assert. In order to distinguish these things, scholars must examine the kind of writing or literary genre the biblical writers employ.

From Catholic Answers "Quick Questions", found here.

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Sections 107 & 108

2011-05-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

107 The inspired books teach the truth. "Since therefore all that the inspired authors or sacred writers affirm should be regarded as affirmed by the Holy Spirit, we must acknowledge that the books of Scripture firmly, faithfully, and without error teach that truth which God, for the sake of our salvation, wished to see confided to the Sacred Scriptures."⁷²

108 Still, the Christian faith is not a "religion of the book." Christianity is the religion of the "Word" of God, a word which is "not a written and mute word, but the Word which is incarnate and living".⁷³ If the Scriptures are not to remain a dead letter, Christ, the eternal Word of the living God, must, through the Holy Spirit, "open [our] minds to understand the Scriptures."⁷⁴

72 DV 11
73 St. Bernard, S. missus est hom. 4,11:PL 183,86
74 Cf. Lk 24:45

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

May 8th: Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-05-06T12:19:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of Easter and in this Sundays Gospel Reading we will hear about the Resurrection appearance of Our Lord to the two disciples who were making their way to Emmaus. He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Section 106

2011-05-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

106 God inspired the human authors of the sacred books. "To compose the sacred books, God chose certain men who, all the while he employed them in this task, made full use of their own faculties and powers so that, though he acted in them and by them, it was as true authors that they consigned to writing whatever he wanted written, and no more."⁷¹

71 Dei Verbum 11

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Section 105

2011-05-03T21:44:00.000-07:00

105 God is the author of Sacred Scripture. "The divinely revealed realities, which are contained and presented in the text of Sacred Scripture, have been written down under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit."⁶⁹

"For Holy Mother Church, relying on the faith of the apostolic age, accepts as sacred and canonical the books of the Old and the New Testaments, whole and entire, with all their parts, on the grounds that, written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they have God as their author, and have been handed on as such to the Church herself."⁷⁰

69 DV 11.
70 DV 11; cf. Jn 20:31; 2 Tim 3:16; 2 Pet 1:19-21; 3:15-16.

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Section 104

2011-05-02T21:45:00.000-07:00

104 In Sacred Scripture, the Church constantly finds her nourishment and her strength, for she welcomes it not as a human word, "but as what it really is, the word of God" [1 Thes 2:13; cf. Dei Verbum 24]. "In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven comes lovingly to meet his children, and talks with them." [Dei Verbum 21]

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Sections 102 & 103

2011-05-01T21:45:00.000-07:00

102 Through all the words of Sacred Scripture, God speaks only one single Word, his one Utterance in whom he expresses himself completely [Cf. Heb 1:1-3]:

You recall that one and the same Word of God extends throughout Scripture, that it is one and the same Utterance that resounds in the mouths of all the sacred writers, since he who was in the beginning God with God has no need of separate syllables; for he is not subject to time [St. Augustine, En. in Ps. 103,4,1:PL 37,1378; cf. Ps 104; Jn 1:1].

103 For this reason, the Church has always venerated the Scriptures as she venerates the Lord's Body. She never ceases to present to the faithful the bread of life, taken from the one table of God's Word and Christ's Body [Cf. Dei Verbum 21].

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

The Catechism on Sacred Scripture - Section 101

2011-05-01T07:12:00.001-07:00

CHRIST - THE UNIQUE WORD OF SACRED SCRIPTURE

101 In order to reveal himself to men, in the condescension of his goodness God speaks to them in human words: "Indeed the words of God, expressed in the words of men, are in every way like human language, just as the Word of the eternal Father, when he took on himself the flesh of human weakness, became like men." [Dei Verbum 13.]

Source: Catechism of the Catholic Church

May 1st : Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-04-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 2nd Sunday of Easter (Divine Mercy Sunday) and in this Sundays Gospel Reading we will hear about the Resurrection appearance of Our Lord to the Apostles--including St. Thomas. He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast on the Sunday Readings, about an hour long:
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

April 24th : Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-04-22T19:10:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is Easter Sunday and in this Sundays Gospel Reading we will hear about the Resurrection of Our Lord from the dead. He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

April 17th : Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-04-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is Palm (or Passion) Sunday, and in this Sundays Gospel Reading we will hear about Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem, and his Passion and Crucifixion less than a week later.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study". Since this Sunday's Gospel Reading is so long, I've chosen to focus instead on this Sunday's Processional Gospel (read at the beginning of Mass).

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed Holy Week!

April 10th : Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-04-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 5th Sunday of Lent, Cycle A, and in this Sundays Gospel Reading we will hear about the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

April 3rd, 2011: Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-04-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Lent, Cycle A, and in this Sundays Gospel Reading we will hear about Jesus' healing of the man born blind.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

March 27th : Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-03-25T20:12:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of Lent, Cycle A, and in this Sundays Gospel Reading we will hear about Jesus' meeting the Samaritan woman at the well.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

March 20th : Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-03-18T07:27:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 2nd Sunday of Lent, Cycle A, and in this Sundays Gospel Reading we will hear about the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mt. Tabor..

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

March 13th : Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-03-11T08:37:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 1st Sunday of Lent, Cycle A, and in this Sundays Gospel Reading we will hear how Jesus did battle with Satan in the wilderness.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

March 6: Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-03-03T22:39:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 9th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. This Sundays Gospel Reading concludes a series of Sundays in which we heard from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. This will lead us into the liturgical season of Lent, which begins next week with Ash Wednesday.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast on the Gospel Reading, about an hour long, from the Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Just a reminder: If you are thinking about a home or parish-based Lenten Scripture study, you can plan ahead by going to our new page on the main web site that contains studies for all the Sundays of Lent, including Palm Sunday. You can find that here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

February 27: Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-02-25T16:49:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 8th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. This Sundays Gospel Reading continues a series of Sundays in which we will hear from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast on the Gospel Reading, about an hour long, from the Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Just a reminder: Lent begins this year on March 9. if you are thinking about a home or parish-based Lenten Scripture study, you can plan ahead by going to our new page on the main web site that contains studies for all the Sunday's of Lent, including Palm Sunday. You can find that here.

NEW: I have also started a discussion thread about the Readings over a the Catholic Answers Forums, which you can find here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. If you would like to prayerfully consider a donation to help the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics apostolate with the cost of maintaining the website server, please go to the main page here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

February 20: Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-02-18T17:23:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 7th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. This Sundays Gospel Reading continues a series of Sundays in which we will hear from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast on the Gospel Reading, about an hour long, from the Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Just a reminder: Lent begins this year on March 9. if you are thinking about a home or parish-based Lenten Scripture study, you can plan ahead by going to our new page on the main web site that contains studies for all the Sunday's of Lent, including Palm Sunday. You can find that here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

February 13: Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-02-11T09:30:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. This Sundays Gospel Reading continues a series of Sundays in which we will hear from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast on the Gospel Reading, about an hour long, from the Franciscan Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Just a reminder: Lent begins this year on March 9. if you are thinking about a home or parish-based Lenten Scripture study, you can plan ahead by going to our new page on the main web site that contains studies for all the Sunday's of Lent, including Palm Sunday. You can find that here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

Scripture Studies for Lent 2011 Now Available!

2011-02-08T21:40:00.000-08:00

If you are thinking about starting a Lenten Scripture study in your parish or home (Lent begins Ash Wednesday, March 9), we have now created a new page on the Sunday Scripture Study for Catholics web page which has all the studies from the 1st Sunday of Lent to Palm Sunday. This page will be updated in the future to include upcoming Advent and Lent studies for all three liturgical cycles. You can directly access that page by following this link.

Also, the web page now provides not only past and current weekly Scripture studies, but upcoming studies as well. Here is the link to that page.

We will also now try to update the web page every Monday, rather than on Wednesdays. We hope you will find these changes useful and a blessing as you increase in love for God and his Word. Thank you for your prayers and support.

NEW!!

For those who are planning on leading a liturgical Lenten Bible study using these resources, and wishing to have a greater familiarity with the texts, I recommend the following for background information on the readings for each week:

1. St. Charles Borromeo Bible Studies (free online)
- These are available for viewing year-round.

2. Catholic Matters (free online)
- Available about two weeks ahead of time.

3. The Navarre Bible commentaries

4. The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, New Testament

Blessings, †
Vince & Carol

February 6: Study and Meditations on This Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-02-04T11:44:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 5th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. This Sundays Gospel Reading continues a series of Sundays in which we will hear from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

January 30: Study and Meditations On This Sundays Readings

2011-01-28T09:14:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 4th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. This Sundays Gospel Reading begins a series of Sunday in which we will hear from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

January 23, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-01-21T12:21:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. In the Gospel Reading we see the launch of Jesus' public ministry, and the selection of his 12 Apostles.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

January 16, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-01-13T10:39:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A. In the Gospel Reading, we see John the Baptist proclaim Jesus to be "the Lamb of God'.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study." (by the way: the website has been recently updated, so if you haven't been there for a while, check it out)

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a pair of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

January 9, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2011-01-07T12:26:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord. It is considered both the end of the Christmas season and the 1st Sunday of the liturgical season of Ordinary Time. At the Baptism, Jesus begins his public ministry as he is anointed king, priest and prophet--the Messiah.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

NEW: I have also started a discussion thread about the Readings over a the Catholic Answers Forums, which you can find here .

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

January 2, 2011: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-12-31T10:12:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, Cycle A. In the Gospel Reading, we see the visit of the Magi, non-Jewish wise men from the East, who precede and foreshadow all the Gentiles who will seek out Jesus as their king.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study".

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcasts on the readings from St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation (the other two studies usually featured are not available this week).

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

Need An Idea For a New Year's Resolution? How About Reading the Bible?

2010-12-29T11:12:00.000-08:00

Well, the New Year is upon us and with it comes the traditional time for the making of (what we hope will be) life-changing resolutions. The most common of these, of course, is losing a significant amount of weight (or at least enough weight to get into at least some of the clothes that are gathering dust in your closet. I have a theory about my closet that something in there is causing my clothes to shrink, but I need to develop my thesis a little more before I can publish). Another common resolution is that of finally getting organized: planning meals, finances, general time management, and not unexpectedly running out of clean underwear usually fall under this heading.

Well, if you've seen my physique or my underwear drawer, you can safely assume I'm of no help to anyone in either of these first two areas. But one resolution I do have some suggestions is also a common one this time of year: to start reading the Bible in a meaningful way.

Right away we can dismiss the most common mistake people make in this area: resolving to start at Genesis and read all the way to the end of Revelation. This is an almost sure recipe for failure. Most people who blithely and with good intent start out in this manner, almost invariably get bogged down in Leviticus or so (around the third book of the Bible) when they run into all the long chapters of dietary laws and prescriptions for animal sacrifice. With eyes glassed over, they end up laying the Bible aside to resume it's previous function as a dust collector. Don't do this.

If you go to the web-page connected to this blog, you can find an article I did on "Getting Started" in reading the Bible. I'd still recommend reading that if you haven't already, but I have another idea specifically for the New Year that I'd like to share as well: starting a study of the Gospel According to Matthew.

Why Matthew? Well, as you probably know, the Church's three year cycle of Scripture readings proclaimed at Sunday Mass focuses on a different Gospel each cycle. Last year, Year C, it was the Gospel of Mark; next year (Cycle B) it will be Luke; this year (Cycle A, which actually started back on the 1st Sunday of Advent) most of the Gospel readings we will hear will come from Matthew (the Gospel of John is mixed in with the other Cycles, mostly Cycle C since Mark is the shortest synoptic Gospel, and on special feast days).

If that last paragraph is a little confusing, the gist is that this year we will be hearing Matthew's Gospel at Sunday Mass. What better way to gain a firmer grasp on these Scriptures than to establish a solid grounding before you hear them? If you visit this blog often (or the associated web-site or the Facebook pages) you already know you can find a study and numerous resources for each Sunday's readings. It is important, however, for us to read the biblical books in their larger contexts so that we can get more of a "big picture" understanding of what the sacred writer (and the Holy Spirit) is trying to tell us. If you are Catholic, it is also of the most critical importance that your primary resources for biblical studies be Catholic resources. This is because, as helpful as many of them are, non-Catholic studies are often lacking in the Catholic perspective that comes with 2000 years of Holy Spirit-guided magisterial teaching and the insights of the great Saints of the Faith. And even the best of non-Catholic biblical resources can be marred by faulty theological world-views such as Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide, and the worst of them contain anti-Catholic or false comments about Catholicism. If you have a solid grounding in the teachings of your own Faith, you can avoid being confused or misled by alternative interpretations.

There are several terrific Catholic resources for studying the Gospel of Matthew available--both free and for purchase-- that I can recommend. I'll limit myself to six of what I think would be the most helpful resources for someone just starting out:

Reading the Old Testament in the New: The Gospel of Matthew

How did the New Testament writers read the Old Testament in light of the coming of Jesus Christ? This course offers an in-depth answer to that question, focusing on the use of the Old Testament in the Gospel of Matthew. Free online course offered through the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology.

The Gospel of Matthew "The King and His Kingdom"

Host - Dr. Tim Grey and 4 students from the Augustine

In this 13 part series, Professor Tim Grey and 4 students from the Augustine discuses the first Gospel in the new Testament: St. Matthew’s. We’ll learn the genealogy of Jesus, the meaning of His parables, and his message of love. Free mp3 download from EWTN.

The Gospel According to Matthew

Host: David Higbee of St. Irenaeus Ministries.

An 18 part series examining the Gospel of Matthew. Almost a passage by passage study; lots of biblical background and practical application. Free mp3 download.

Mystery of the Kingdom: On the Gospel of Matthew

Mystery of the Kingdom is a refreshing Bible study on the Gospel of Matthew that focuses on the “kingdom of God.” Why is the kingdom at the heart of Jesus’ teaching? What were Jesus’ contemporaries expecting? What did Jesus actually say about His kingdom? What is the relationship between the “kingdom” and the Catholic Church we see today? Book by Edward P. Sri

Catholic Commentary On Sacred Scripture: The Gospel of Matthew

This engaging commentary on the Gospel of Matthew is the fifth of seventeen volumes in the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture (CCSS), which will cover the entire New Testament. This volume, like each in the series, relates Scripture to life, is faithfully Catholic, and is supplemented by features designed to help readers understand the Bible more deeply and use it more effectively in teaching, preaching, evangelization, and other forms of ministry. Catechism references and questions for reflection. Book by Edward Sri and Curtis Mitch. As a commentary, it is a valuable permanent reference for your Scripture study library.

The Navarre Bible Commentary: The Gospel According Matthew

Part of a 12 volume set of the New Testament with extensive explanations of the meaning of the scriptural text and its implications for everyday life. The commentaries draw on a rich variety of sources - Church documents, the writings of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church, and the work of prominent spiritual writers, particularly Saint Josemaria Escriva, who initiated the Navarre Bible project. The commentary appears on the same page as the Bible text, which is the Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition. Each volume is self-contained with extensive introductions and notes to Old Testament prophecies. The Navarre Bible commentary is considered by many to be the best Catholic commentary on the Bible available today.

The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible on the Gospel of Matthew

This Ignatius Catholic Study Bible on the Gospel of Matthew is based on the Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, with insightful commentary by renowned Bible teachers, Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch. This thorough study takes you on a journey through the Gospel of Matthew with actual biblical text and the Church’s guidelines for understanding the Bible as your guides. The ample notes on each page by Hahn and Mitch deepen your study with fresh insights alongside time-trusted interpretations from Fathers of the Church. The additional geographical, historical, cultural and theological notes create a clear picture of what St. Matthew often assumes his reader is aware of. Also included in this Ignatius Catholic Study Bible of The Gospel of Matthew are topical essays, word studies, charts and maps. An easy to use cross reference section and study questions at the end of each chapter help to engage you as an active participant in your growing knowledge and understanding of the Gospel of Matthew. These tools along side an introductory essay discussing questions of authorship, date, destination, structure and themes make this study of the Gospel of Matthew a true gift to the Faith. (This individual volume is now found in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, New Testament--which I also highly recommend-- but for individual study on Matthew, this is an option.)

There are many other good resources I could recommend, but these, in my opinion, are the best of the best that are readily available and highly accessible. May your study of God's Word this year, whatever form it takes, bring you many blessings and bring you closer to Our Lord and His Kingdom. Happy New Year!

December 19: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-12-17T13:04:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings, studies and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Advent, Cycle A. In the Gospel Reading, we see the events surrounding the coming of Jesus into the world--events foretold long ago through the prophets of Israel.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

NEW: I have also started a discussion thread about the Readings over a the Catholic Answers Forums, which you can find here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

December 12: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-12-09T20:43:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 3rd Sunday of Advent, Cycle A. In the Gospel Reading, John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus so they can ask him: "Are you the One who is to come?"

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

I have also started a new discussion thread for this Sunday's readings over at the Catholic Answers forums, found here which will be updated through the week-end.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

December 5: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-12-02T20:37:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 2nd Sunday of Advent, Cycle A. In the Gospel Reading, John the Baptist appears in the Judean wilderness to prepare the way of the Lord.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

I have also started a new discussion thread for this Sunday's readings over at the Catholic Answers forums, found here which will be updated through the week-end.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

November 28: Study and Meditations for this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-11-26T19:14:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the 1st Sunday of Advent.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

I have also started a new discussion thread for this Sunday's readings over at the Catholic Answers forums, found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

November 21: Study and Meditations for this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-11-19T06:30:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. This Sunday is the Solemnity of Christ the King, Cycle C. It is the last Sunday in that liturgical cycle; next Sunday is the First Sunday of the season of Advent, and the beginning of a new liturgical cycle, Cycle A.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

An excellent article from "The Rosary Light and Life" website which tells what it means for Jesus Christ to be our king can be found here.

I've also started a new discussion thread on these readings over at the "Catholic Answers" forums which I will be updating throughout the weekend. You can find that thread here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

November 14: Study and Meditations for this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-11-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, Jesus foretells the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, preparing his disciples for persecution and judgment. This Sunday is the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

I've also started a new discussion thread on these readings over at the "Catholic Answers" forums. You can find that thread here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

Pope Benedict Issues A Major Church Document on Sacred Scripture

2010-11-11T08:13:00.000-08:00

"Pope Benedict has issued the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Verbum Domini [The Word of the Lord], the most important Church document devoted to Sacred Scripture since the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Dei Verbum), which was promulgated in 1965.

"The publication of Verbum Domini follows the twelfth ordinary general assembly of the Synod Of Bishops, which took place in 2008 and was devoted to “The Word of God in the Life and the Mission of the Church.”

"The document, though released on November 11, is dated September 30, the memorial of St. Jerome.

"Verbum Domini joins Dei Verbum and three papal encyclicals-- Pope Leo XIII's Providentissimus Deus (1893), Pope Benedict XV's Spiritus Paraclitus (1920), and Venerable Pius XII's Divino Afflante Spiritu (1943)-- as a milestone in the development of Catholic teaching on Sacred Scripture, which is summarized in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (nos. 101-141). "

(HT to CatholicCulture.org)

Here is a link to an EWTN article outlining the document. A direct link to a PDF of the document itself can be found here.

November 7: Study and Meditations for this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-11-05T07:29:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, Jesus answers a challenge from his opponents, the Sadducees, about marriage and the Resurrection. This Sunday is the 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

October 31: Study and Meditations on This Sunday Scripture Readings

2010-10-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, we hear about the encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus, the chief tax-collector of Jericho. This Sunday is the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

October 24: Study and Meditations on the Scripture Readings for this Coming Sunday

2010-10-22T08:16:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. This Sunday is the 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

"Due To Technical Problems Beyond My Control..."

2010-10-16T18:51:00.000-07:00

Just a quick note: I'm having technical problems in posting this Sunday's "Sunday Scripture for Catholics" resource on my main website. If anyone needs a copy of it, please e-mail me directly from the website and I will send you a Word document. Sorry for any inconvenience!

Meanwhile,I've also started a new thread about this week's Sunday Readings in the "Catholic Answers" forums which I will be updating frequently throughout the weekend.

October 17: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-10-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

To help us prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, Jesus tells the parable of the widow and the unjust judge. This Sunday is the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study
--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother
--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

My Review of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible

2010-10-11T13:07:00.000-07:00

Recently (for my birthday, in fact) I recieved a new Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, New Testament from my lovely wife. Well, it's kind of new and it's not. If you are familiar with this Catholic study Bible, you know that it has been a work in progress for the last several years, being released in booklet form one or two (sometimes three) New Testament books at a time. Bible geek that I am, of course, I own that entire collection. I've found them extremely helpful, with my favorite Scripture translation (the Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition), and edited by two of my favorite popular Biblical scholars, Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch. Now these books have been gathered together in a one volume Catholic New Testament study Bible--probably the best one on the market today.

This one volume study Bible has all the great notes that the booklets did (think of it as a Catholic version of, for example, the NIV Study Bible), with good cross references, insightful and infomative footnotes, references to the Catechism of the Catholic Church and other Church documents, as well as quotations from the Early Church Fathers and other great saints). It has a pretty good index and concordance in the back, as well as some full color maps. There are lots of informative sidebars and in-depth articles throughout that discuss important biblical words, concepts and interpretation issues.

The text is very readable and set up nicely, with the side-bars, articles and some small black and white maps scattered throughout the text. There is a little margin on the sides for scribbling notes (more room than my NAB anyway), and it has very helpful headings for key passages. The size is somewhat on the large size--bigger than most personal Bibles. They could probably get away with a somewhat smaller font and less white space between the biblical books, so I'm hoping they might come up with a more compact version in the future. One thing they lack that the booklets had were questions for study and personal reflection on each book of the New Testament. Ignatius Press, however, has made these available on their promotional website, found here.

I wasn't going to get one of these, resolving to keep using the booklets until the entire Bible was finished (they are releasing the Genesis booklet this month), but now that I have the one volume New Testament, I'm glad I do. It is available in a number of formats; I asked for the inexpensive paperback edition ($14 on Amazon), because I consider it my temporary copy until the entire work is published-- and it will probably be worn out by then. When it finally is completed, it will be without a doubt, THE gold standard of Catholic study Bibles for the average Catholic who treasures God's Word in the Scriptures.

For more reviews on this study Bible, see the following:

St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

Absolutely No Spin

Catholic Bibles

October 10: Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-10-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

To help you prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, the focus is on thankfulness as Jesus heals ten men suffering from leprosy. This Sunday is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here are a trio of Catholic Bible study podcasts on the Gospel Reading, each about an hour long:

--Sunday Gospel Scripture Study

--Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother

--St. Martha's Adult Faith Formation

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Please consider supporting those who provide these free resources. Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

October 3: Study and Meditations On the Scripture Readings for This Sunday

2010-10-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

To help you prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, Jesus talks about the power of faith--even faith the size of a mustard seed. This Sunday is the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Reflections on the Sunday Scriptures to share with the younger ones in your family by Emily and Jeff Cavins can be found at Family Night .

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast on the Gospel Reading, about an hour long, at Sunday Gospel Scripture Study.

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

September 26 - Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-09-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

To help you prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, Jesus addresses the Pharisees and all those who "are lovers of wealth" (Luke 16:14) with the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. This Sunday is the 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Reflections on the Sunday Scriptures to share with the younger ones in your family by Emily and Jeff Cavins can be found at Family Night .

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast on the Gospel Reading, about an hour long, at Sunday Gospel Scripture Study.

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

"The Imitation of Christ" On Reading the Holy Scripture

2010-09-20T21:02:00.000-07:00

From "The Imitation of Christ," the spiritual classic by Thomas a' Kempis which has nourished untold numbers of souls for centuries, including great saints like St. Therese of Lisieux:

The Fifth Chapter
READING THE HOLY SCRIPTURE

TRUTH, not eloquence, is to be sought in reading the Holy Scriptures; and every part must be read in the spirit in which it was written. For in the Scriptures we ought to seek profit rather than polished diction.

Likewise we ought to read simple and devout books as willingly as learned and profound ones. We ought not to be swayed by the authority of the writer, whether he be a great literary light or an insignificant person, but by the love of simple truth. We ought not to ask who is speaking, but mark what is said. Men pass away, but the truth of the Lord remains forever. God speaks to us in many ways without regard for persons.

Our curiosity often impedes our reading of the Scriptures, when we wish to understand and mull over what we ought simply to read and pass by.

If you would profit from it, therefore, read with humility, simplicity, and faith, and never seek a reputation for being learned. Seek willingly and listen attentively to the words of the saints; do not be displeased with the sayings of the ancients, for they were not made without purpose.

What Did Jesus Write?

2010-09-18T20:00:00.000-07:00

When Jesus confronted the crowd that was threatening to stone the woman caught in adultery in John 8:2-11, what did he write on the ground with his finger?

This question came up in my men's group this morning, in the context of the larger question "Did Jesus ever write anything down?" First, the passage from John we were discussing:

Early in the morning [Jesus] came again to the temple; all the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the law Moses commanded us to stone such. What do you say about her?" This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. (John 8:2-6, RSV-CE)

The fact is, since the Scriptures don't explicitly say in this passage, we don't really know what he wrote--or even if he was writing or drawing (the literal Greek says he was "tracing."). One theory I've heard is that he was simply doodling to show his unconcern with the debate going on around him. I myself favor what is found in the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, Gospel of John:

8:8 wrote…on the ground: What Jesus inscribes in the dirt is unknown but probably symbolic. * The gesture may recall Jer 17:13, a warning that those who forsake the Lord “shall be written in the earth” because they have rejected the “fountain of living water”. The Pharisees fall into this category for rejecting Jesus, who has just been identified as the source of “living water.” (see John 7:38).

Here is the passage from Jeremiah (17:13):

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who forsake thee shall be put to shame; those who turn away from thee shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living water.

In other words, Jesus gave them a 'two-fer' here. Not only did he (1) show those around him that he knew what their sins were, and that they had better think of mercy as well as justice, and (2) Those more educated Pharisses standing near-by, remembering the context of the entire quote from Jeremiah, would be challenged again for their not believing in Jesus.

September 19: Study and Meditation for this Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-09-18T13:30:00.000-07:00

To help you prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, Jesus tells his disciples the parable of the Dishonest Steward. This Sunday is the 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Reflections on the Sunday Scriptures to share with the younger ones in your family by Emily and Jeff Cavins can be found at Family Night .

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast on the Gospel Reading, about an hour long, at Sunday Gospel Scripture Study.

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

September 12: Study and Meditations on the Sunday's Scripture Readings

2010-09-11T10:48:00.000-07:00

To help you prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, we hear the much beloved--and challenging-- story of the Prodigal Son. This Sunday is the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Reflections on the Sunday Scriptures to share with the younger ones in your family by Emily and Jeff Cavins can be found at Family Night .

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast on the Gospel Reading, about an hour long, at Sunday Gospel Scripture Study.

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

September 5th: Study and Meditation on the Scripture Readings for this Sunday

2010-09-04T09:05:00.000-07:00

To help you prepare for this coming Sunday, here are the readings and reflections for this coming Sunday's Scripture readings. In this Sunday's Gospel Reading, Jesus warns those who would follow him to count the cost of doing so. This Sunday is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C.

Here are the Scripture readings from the U.S. Catholic bishops website.

My own weekly study can be found here under "Current Study."

Reflections on the Sunday Scriptures to share with the younger ones in your family by Emily and Jeff Cavins can be found at Family Night .

Here are three audio reflections on the readings by Sister Ann Shields, Dr. Scott Hahn and Fr. Robert Barron.

Here is a Catholic Bible study podcast on the Gospel Reading, about an hour long, at Sunday Gospel Scripture Study.

The Navarre Bible Commentary for each reading can be viewed here.

Further study resources for the Readings: St. Charles Borromeo Bible Study can be found here, and Catholic Matters can be found here.

Discussion, questions and charitable comments are always welcome. Have a blessed week!

What Was the Story of "The Tower of Babel" All About?

2010-09-01T06:25:00.000-07:00

In the Catholic Answers "Quick Questions" newsletter I receive by e-mail each day, there was an interesting question asked and answer given about the familiar story in Genesis 11. I don't think I've heard this particular interpretation on the event, so I thought I'd share:

Q: “ What was the sin of the tower of Babel?"

A: A Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture explains Genesis 11:1-9 as follows:

The inhabitants of the city started to build a great stage-tower zigguarat, which they raised to some considerable height and then were unable to complete. The massive remains were a visible reminder of the ineffectual attempt which tradition recorded to have been accompanied by discord and consequent migration of many of the population. This meager historical record explains why the sacred writer did not mention the nature of the sin which led to the frustration of the grandiose design. But his deep conviction of God’s overruling government of the world taught him that the attempt had been displeasing to God and the narrative suggests that the sin was one of overweening human pride and self-sufficiency.

The story has been widely understood to tell of a miraculous intervention by which different languages were introduced and the population thus became unable to understand one another. But it must be noted that the different groups among not only the Japhethites and Chamites, 10:5,20, but also among the Semites, 10:31, are already recorded to have had their various languages, and as the two former groups are already out of the story, the origin of languages is not recorded here. Moreover, the word for "languages" is lason which is that used in 10:5, 20, 31. In our passage this word is not found. That used is sapah, "lip," which also signifies "utterance." The natural meaning here is that the people at first in complete harmony "all saying the same thing" fell out among themselves and could not agree upon a common policy; and as a result of the discord (and possibly of fighting) there was a migration. Already in the fourth century St. Gregory of Nyssa was quite emphatic that God did not miraculously impose different languages on mankind. (192-193)

The Jerome Commentary on Genesis 11:1-9 says:

The evil is in their desire to "make a name" for themselves (cf. 12:2) rather than in the attempt to build a tower "with its top in the heavens" . . . Human smallness, not divine impotence, is emphasized in the Lord’s descent (vs. 5). The plural in verse 7 may reflect the concept of God’s royal court, an early idea in Israel. The punishment had been anticipated in verse 4. The name of the city, Babel, is here associated with the Hebrew root bll, "to confound." The great city and its (implied) defeat thus becomes synonymous with man’s revolt against God and its consequences. (17)

For more information about the getting Catholic Answers "Quick Questions," go here.