Category: Bible Study

HOPE-CHEST

“…moved as you are by the hope held in store for you in heaven.” –Colossians 1:4 Mass Readings: September 6 First: Colossians 1:1-8; Resp: Psalm 52:10-11; Gospel: Luke 4:38-44 Listen to the Mass Readings How does a Christian keep keepin’ on in the midst of trials and persecutions? Hope. How can we have the courage to face death for the sake of the gospel? Hope. How can we rejoice even in adversity and consider it a privilege to suffer for Jesus’ sake? Hope. “In hope we were saved” (Rm 8:24). Contrary to the common saying, hope does not spring eternal...

BODY BUILD

“Build one another up.” –1 Thessalonians 5:11, RSV-CE Mass Readings: September 5 First: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6,9-11; Resp: Psalm 27:1,4,13-14; Gospel: Luke 4:31-37 Listen to the Mass Readings I am attending morning Mass in an older church building. Laborers are repairing the roof, and the steady pounding of their hammers makes it difficult to hear the lector as he proclaims today’s first reading. Then the lector proclaimed the phrase “build one another up” (see 1 Thes 5:11, RSV-CE). It was easy to make the connection between the physical repairs taking place to build up the church structure, and the work necessary...

GOD’S GOOD LOOKS BAD

“He has sent Me to bring good news to the poor.” –Luke 4:18, our transl. Mass Readings: September 4 First: Genesis 2:4-9,15 ;Resp: Psalm 90:2-5,12-14,16; Gospel: Matthew 6:31-34 Listen to the Mass Readings Jesus declared that His mission was to proclaim the Good News of freedom to the poor. He said He was carrying out this mission at that very moment (Lk 4:21). Then He told the people He was not going to heal them but heal other people instead (see Lk 4:23-27). What kind of Good News is that? The people obviously saw no Good News in Jesus’ prophetic...

SUFFERING TOO MUCH?

“Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” –Matthew 16:25 Although Jeremiah had expected to suffer for being God’s prophet, the degree of suffering was much greater than he had expected. Thus, Jeremiah decided to quit serving the Lord (Jer 20:9). Jesus told His disciples He would “suffer greatly” and “be put to death” (Mt 16:21). Peter knew that disciples follow their masters and that he didn’t want to suffer. Consequently, Peter tried to talk Jesus out of suffering. Then “Jesus turned on Peter and said, ‘Get out of...

“COME, SHARE YOUR MASTER’S JOY!” (Mt 25:21, 23)

“Then He went away.” –Matthew 25:15 Mass Readings: September 2 First: 1 Thessalonians 4:9-11; Resp: Psalm 98:1,7-9; Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30 Listen to the Mass Readings Suppose you have five children, but you serve the Lord in several ministries. Jesus is pleased with you. To reward you, He says: “You have five kids? Here, I’ll give you five more. Come, share your Master’s joy!” (see Lk 19:18-19; Mt 25:21) Perhaps you are involved in two ministries, and the power of the Lord shines through your service. Jesus is pleased with you. To reward you, He says: “You did well in these...