Tagged: Bible Study

LOOK UP AND GO OUT

“No sooner had He said this than He was lifted up before their eyes in a cloud which took Him from their sight.” –Acts 1:9 Mass Readings: May 28 First: Acts 1:1-11; Resp: Psalm 47:2-3,6-9; Second: Ephesians 1:17-23; Gospel: Matthew 28:16-20 Listen to the Mass Readings The apostles asked Jesus: “Lord, are you going to restore the rule to Israel now?” (Acts 1:6) They were interested in knowing the time Jesus would restore the kingdom. Jesus responded: “The exact time it is not yours to know” (Acts 1:7). Then Jesus proceeded to bring up what He was interested in –...

HE’LL COME IF YOU’LL GO

“When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him home and explained to him God’s new way in greater detail.” –Acts 18:26 Mass Readings: May 27 First: Acts 18:23-28; Resp: Psalm 47:2-3,8-10; Gospel: John 16:23-28 Listen to the Mass Readings On this second day of the Pentecost novena, we must think not only of praying the novena but also giving it. We need to take someone home and explain “to him God’s new way in greater detail” (Acts 18:26). As we give, we “shall receive, and more besides” (Mk 4:24). At the first Christian Pentecost, one-hundred and twenty disciples of...

NINE DAYS TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

“Whatever you ask the Father, He will give you in My name.” –John 16:23 Mass Readings: May 26 First: Acts 18:9-18; Resp: Psalm 47:2-7; Gospel: John 16:20-23 Listen to the Mass Readings Today we begin the Pentecost novena, nine days of prayer in preparation for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost Sunday. On this first day of the novena, Jesus tells us to ask for the Spirit in His name (Jn 16:23). Jesus says: “The heavenly Father [will] give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Lk 11:13). We need these nine days to prepare us to...

FULL-COURT PRESS

“Paul was pressed in the Spirit.” –Acts 18:5, KJV Mass Readings: May 25 First: Acts 18:1-8; Resp: Psalm 98:1-4; Gospel: John 16:16-20 Listen to the Mass Readings Tomorrow begins the Holy Spirit novena, nine days of intense prayer to prepare for receiving the great outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Like St. Paul, we are to be absorbed, that is, totally occupied with the coming of the Spirit, as if the Spirit was pressing upon us from all sides (Acts 18:5). Like the apostles and Mary in the upper room, we are to live and breathe for the purpose...

ARE YOU HARVESTING WITH A BASKET OR A COMBINE?

“When they heard about the raising of the dead, some sneered, while others said, ‘We must hear you on this topic some other time.’ ” –Acts 17:32 Mass Readings: May 24 First: Revelation 21:1-5; Resp: Psalm 95:1-7; Gospel: John 10:22-30 Listen to the Mass Readings We Christians in the Western world in this new millennium can relate to Paul’s ministry in Athens probably better than we can relate to other events in Acts of the Apostles. Paul met the people where they were and received a lukewarm response to his presentation of the gospel, although he did convert a few...