Category: Scripture

Articles offering background and reflections on the scriptures we use in the Liturgy

Scripture notes – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A – 22nd October 2023

What is the right relationship between those who believe in God with the secular state in which they live? This question posed in the readings, has some bearing on this World Mission day, when we support those carrying the Gospel throughout the world. Some missioners go to places where they may be persecuted, and risk their lives or freedom. Continue reading Scripture notes – 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A – 22nd October 2023

Scripture notes – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A – 15th October 2023

‘We need to pray the Bible, not merely study it.’ (Gerard W. Hughes, in God of Compassion.) These notes are designed to make the texts more understandable, put them in context, and solve some puzzles over the meaning. But they will have failed if they do not lead to a deeper relationship with God and others – through reflection, prayer and a growing openness to God’s guidance on the way we live Continue reading Scripture notes – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A – 15th October 2023

Scripture notes – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A – 17th September 2023

In the Lord’s Prayer, said at every mass and often repeated by Christians everywhere, we say ‘forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us’, and this familiar use may mask the challenge this can be. Today’s readings give us opportunity to reflect on how seriously Jesus takes this obligation. Continue reading Scripture notes – 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time – Year A – 17th September 2023

Reading Matthew’s Gospel

‘The Gospel according to St Matthew’ is first in the liturgy cycle of three years, and in our copies of the New Testament, but is not the first book written – the early Letters of St Paul come before. Nor is it likely to be the first of the four gospels, now that is usually considered to be Mark. Matthew’s owes its primary place to the esteem in which it was held in the early years of Christianity. That popularity may come from this gospel laying so much stress on the teachings of Jesus, some directed to all disciples, and others for leaders and evangelists.  While much of this is clear to see in a quick check of the gospel, there is also a subtlety in the style that is not so frequently noted. Continue reading Reading Matthew’s Gospel

A Beginners’ Introduction to Reading the Bible

The Bible is the ‘foundation text’ for Christianity, so much so that St Jerome, an early translator and scholar, could say, ‘Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ’. We hear selections from it at every mass, but reading and praying with scriptures on our own is meant to be is a vital part of spiritual life. Modern historical scholarship, archeology, and literary studies have made much of the Bible far more intelligible for our times than in the past, and the Church has encouraged us to make use of these aids. Yet starting to read the Bible is not always easy and people do not always know where to turn for help.

There are numerous books giving background and interpretation of the Bible, as a whole, or by sections or individual books which can be found at local Catholic bookshops or online, but the very number of these can be confusing. One simple way to start is with The Jerusalem Bible. This is the Catholic translation we hear at mass which also contains introductions to the various books and types, and footnotes on difficult passages. Continue reading A Beginners’ Introduction to Reading the Bible