Tagged: Bible Study

“A family record of Jesus Christ…” –Matthew 1:1 Mass Readings: December 17 First: Genesis 49:2,8-10; Resp: Psalm 72:1-4,7-8,17; Gospel: Matthew 1:1-17 At Christmas time, many families put up a Christmas tree, and on it they hang ornaments. Often each person in the family will have an ornament bearing their name. It’s easy to picture Mom and Dad grabbing little Johnny’s ornament, polishing it, and telling joyful stories about Johnny’s life as they hang it on the tree. Each one of us is a member of God’s family. We were created in His image (Gn 1:27). Jesus has carved each of...

“Observe what is right, do what is just; for My salvation is about to come, My justice, about to be revealed.” –Isaiah 56:1 Mass Readings: December 16 First: Isaiah 56:1-3,6-8; Resp: Psalm 67:2-3,5,7-8; Gospel: John 5:33-36 St. John the Baptizer “was the lamp, set aflame and burning bright, and for a while you exulted willingly in his light” (Jn 5:35). Those who have accepted John’s call to repentance are ready to meet Jesus this Christmas. Yet many still refuse God’s grace of repentance. These people will be given a “testimony greater than John’s, namely, the works the Father has given...

“What did you go out to see?” –Luke 7:24 Mass Readings: December 15 First: Isaiah 54:1-10; Resp: Psalm 30:2,4-6,11-13; Gospel: Luke 7:24-30 Jesus asks the crowds and us: “What, really, did you go out to see – someone dressed luxuriously? Remember, those who dress in luxury and eat in splendor are to be found in” shopping malls, sleighs, and endless TV Christmas specials (see Lk 7:24-25). The crowds flock to see Santa, searching for glad tidings, good cheer, and perhaps, somehow, a measure of love. Today, the Church proclaims to the searching crowds that good news and love are available...

“He also restored sight to many who were blind.” –Luke 7:21 Mass Readings: December 14 First: Isaiah 45:6-8,18,21-25; Resp: Psalm 85:9-14;Gospel: Luke 7:18-23 Jesus said His mission was to proclaim “recovery of sight to the blind” (Lk 4:18). He healed the blind man at Bethsaida (Mk 8:25), blind Bartimaeus (Mk 10:52), and the man born blind (Jn 9:7). After raising the daughter of Jairus from the dead, Jesus restored sight to two blind men (Mt 9:30). On some other occasions, Jesus healed several blind people at one time (e.g. Lk 7:21). When Jesus listed His healings and miracles, He put...

I will “remove from your midst the proud braggarts.” –Zephaniah 3:11 “I will leave as a remnant in your midst a people humble and lowly.” –Zephaniah 3:12 Mass Readings: December 13 First: Zephaniah 3:1-2,9-13; Resp: Psalm 34:2-3,6-7,17-19,23; Gospel: Matthew 21:28-32 To deprive yourself of Christmas: be rebellious (Zep 3:1), accept “no correction” (Zep 3:2), be a proud braggart (see Zep 3:11), “exalt yourself” (Zep 3:11), have “a deceitful tongue” (Zep 3:13), and refuse to repent. To meet Christ in a new way this Christmas: trust in the Lord (Zep 3:2), draw near to God (Zep 3:2), “change and purify” your...