Category: Bible Study

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!” –Revelation 18:2 The Scripture readings for today’s Eucharist do not seem appropriate for Thanksgiving Day in the U.S.A., especially the reference to “every filthy and disgusting bird” (Rv 18:2). Nevertheless, the Bible here is probably not referring to a turkey, but to the condition of Babylon, which “is a cage for every unclean spirit” (Rv 18:2). In Revelation, Babylon refers to Rome. Today, it possibly refers to the anti-Christian system of secular humanism. The Lord is telling us to break all ties with Babylon. Otherwise, we will be led astray by her sorcery (Rv...

Jesus “saw the rich putting their offerings into the treasury, and also a poor widow putting in two copper coins.” –Luke 21:1-2 Mass Readings: November 21 First: Revelation 14:1-5; Resp: Psalm 24:1-6; Gospel: Luke 21:1-4 Because Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday (Heb 13:8), He is still observing us as we put our offerings in the collection. However, collections do not take place only at church. For example, the Lord takes up a collection every day from those He has joined together in marriage, for He has made marriage to be a life of total self-giving. In...

“There was an inscription over His head: ‘THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.’ ” –Luke 23:38 Mass Readings: November 20 First: 2 Samuel 5:1-3; Resp: Psalm 122:1-5 ; Second: Colossians 1:12-20; Gospel: Luke 23:35-43 In 1926, between the two world wars, Pope Pius XI instituted this feast of Christ the King. In so doing, the Church was making a statement that its members were to give their absolute allegiance to no government or person but only to Christ, the King of kings. Thus, we can see why this feast and Jesus’ claim to be the King of kings may...