One major difference in liturgical style between Catholics and Evangelicals is the Lectionary. Both of us rely on “expository preaching,” which means that we base our sermons/homilies off of Scripture. Evangelical pastors typically choose the passage they want to preach on — this is called “the Individual Choice Method.” Catholics, and many Protestant denominations, follow… Continue reading Learning the Bible Through Sunday Mass
Tag: Bible
Eucharistic Theology in St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians
St. Paul’s treatise on the Eucharist in the middle of First Corinthians (specifically, Chapters 10 and 11) is masterful. I decided to walk through much of chapters 10 and 11 today, with interspersed passages from the Book of Hebrews touching on the same point. I. Paul Shows the Sacraments From Israel’s History (1 Cor. 10:1-4)… Continue reading Eucharistic Theology in St. Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians
What We can Learn from the Samaritan Woman at the Well
Yesterday’s Gospel reading was John 4:5-42. It’s the passage of the Samaritan woman that Jesus meets at the well. There’s a lot to be gleaned from it, and likely much more that I’m not picking up on. But here are a few things of interest: In John 4:1-4, we hear that after Jesus left Judea… Continue reading What We can Learn from the Samaritan Woman at the Well
Answering Pro-Choice Christians
This morning’s post on abortion is particularly fitting given that today is the Feast of the Annunciation, in which we celebrate the point at which the Incarnation begins: when Mary conceives Jesus in Her Womb by the power of the Holy Spirit. Today’s Feast is separated from Christmas by exactly 9 months, for obvious reasons.… Continue reading Answering Pro-Choice Christians
The Sign of Jonah
Wednesday, the Gospel at Mass was from Luke 11:29-32, in which Jesus speaks of the cryptic “Sign of Jonah”: While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign… Continue reading The Sign of Jonah
What’s Good for the Goose…
The NAB is a decent Bible translation, but it’s much too much a product of its times (the 1970s) and gives too much weight to “progressive” theological movements. I’ve complained about this before, but was amused by it on Sunday. One of the pet peeves of feminist Biblical criticism is the fact that in Greek,… Continue reading What’s Good for the Goose…
“Even Now, Says the LORD, Return to Me with Your Whole Heart”
Today is Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting (one normal size meals and up to two tiny ones, for strength) and abstaining from meat, and the first day of Lent. Last year, I looked at the Scriptural basis for fast days, and gave some tips for a successful Lent. This year, I thought I’d turn towards… Continue reading “Even Now, Says the LORD, Return to Me with Your Whole Heart”
How to Use (and Not Use) Biblical Genealogies
How to Use Biblical Genealogies Biblical genealogies serve a lot of helpful purposes. First, they show everyone’s connection to everyone else. Understanding who’s who, and how they’re related to those around them is vital just to get what’s going on. Second, they often have important Christological purposes. For example, Matthew and Luke follow different parts… Continue reading How to Use (and Not Use) Biblical Genealogies
Pope Peter, Part V: Upon This Rock
This is the fifth and final post in the “Pope Peter” series which set out to establish Peter’s primacy from Scripture. Monday looked at the ministry Jesus assigned Peter to, in caring for the Twelve, in Luke 22; Tuesday showed that Peter was the shepherd Jesus promised in John 10; Wednesday showed Jesus tethering Himself to Peter,… Continue reading Pope Peter, Part V: Upon This Rock
Why I’m Not a Young Earth Creationist
Today marks a new beginning in the Liturgical Year. Today’s first reading is Genesis 1:1-19, the first four days of Creation. Tomorrow, we’ll hear the last three days of Creation, and continue reading through Genesis, day by day, until next Friday. It’ll cover all of the major events of Genesis 1 to 11 (it skips things… Continue reading Why I’m Not a Young Earth Creationist