The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings for Year B


Book Description

The Catholic Lectionary guides us through the liturgical year, presenting Old and New Testament readings that together reveal God’s unfolding plan for our salvation. In The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings for Year B, biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma provides commentary on each Sunday’s unique presentation of readings. Whether you are a homilist seeking insight into the meaning of difficult scriptural passages or a pew Catholic desiring a deepened understanding of the readings you hear at Mass, The Word of the Lord serves as an invaluable guide. This volume includes commentaries for: Readings for the Season of Advent Readings for the Season of Christmas Readings for the Season of Lent Readings for the Season of Easter Readings for the Season of Ordinary Time Readings for Solemnities of the Lord in Ordinary Time




The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Mass Readings for Solemnities and Feasts


Book Description

The Catholic Lectionary guides us through the liturgical year, presenting Old and New Testament readings that together reveal God’s unfolding plan for our salvation. In The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Mass Readings for Solemnities and Feasts, biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma provides commentary alongside each celebration’s readings. Whether you are a homilist seeking insight into the meaning of difficult scriptural passages or a Catholic desiring a deepened understanding of the readings you hear at Mass, The Word of the Lord serves as an invaluable guide. This volume includes commentaries for liturgies that utilize the same readings across Cycles A, B, and C for The Season of Christmas The Season of Lent The Sacred Triduum The Season of Easter And Solemnities and Feasts of the Lord and His Saints Series Description The Lectionary guides our reading of Scripture through the liturgical year, presenting Old and New Testament readings that together reveal God’s unfolding plan for our salvation. In The Word of the Lord series, biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma provides commentary on each Sunday’s selection of readings. Whether you are a homilist seeking insight into the meaning of difficult scriptural passages or a Catholic desiring a deepened understanding of the readings you hear at Mass, The Word of the Lord series is an invaluable guide.




Light of the Word


Book Description

It is not only the Catholics who attend Sunday Mass, but also the priests who preach at Mass who feel overwhelmed by the three scripture readings in which for the most part only the first from the Old Testament and the third from the Gospel have any interconnection, while the second from the apostolic letters stands by itself. This book seeks to present the common theses that connect all three of the readings for Sundays and feasts of the Lord in the three year cycle of readings. The reflections here are meant to be theological and spiritual suggestions that the one who is preaching can develop further and from which he can select individual perspectives. Rather than seeking immediately concrete applications, Fr. von Balthasar attempts to elucidate the content which is immediately present in the passages. Organized by each Sunday and feast day of the liturgical year for years A, B, & C, these reflections are meant to be theological and spiritual suggestions that the one who is preaching can develop further and from which he can select individual perspectives.




National Directory for the Formation, Ministry, and Life of Permanent Deacons in the United States


Book Description

The national directory addresses the dimensions and perspectives in the formation of deacons and the model standards for the formation, ministry, and life of deacons in the United States. It is intended as a guideline for formation, ministry, and life of permanent deacons and a directive to be utilized when preparing or updating a diaconate program in formulating policies for the ministry and life of deacons. This volume also includes Basic Standards for Readiness for the formation of permanent deacons in the United States, from the bishops' Committee on the Diaconate, and the committee document Visit of Consultation Teams to Diocesan Permanent Diaconate Formation Programs.




Stunned by Scripture


Book Description

The Pope, devotion to Mary, confession ... just where are these topics in the Bible? Why does the Catholic Church seem to focus on so many things that aren’t Scriptural? Or so thought former Protestant pastor John Bergsma. Stunned by Scripture: How the Bible Made Me Catholic is an engaging examination of the things Dr. Bergsma once considered obstacles to ever becoming Catholic himself. Over an eighteen-month spiritual journey, Bergsma was stunned again and again by the biblical support he found for even the stickiest teachings of the Catholic Church. Weaving his personal story into clear explanations of Catholic teachings as found in Scripture, Dr. Bergsma explores seven key Catholic doctrines, including: The Pope Devotion to Mary Confession The Eucharist The priesthood Belief in the Bible alone Salvation by faith alone theologies Stunned by Scripture will help Catholics understand, defend, and explain the biblical basis for the Faith and show them how the Bible solidly supports even the most frequently misunderstood Catholic teachings.




A Catholic Introduction to the Bible


Book Description

Although many Catholics are familiar with the four Gospels and other writings of the New Testament, for most, reading the Old Testament is like walking into a foreign land. Who wrote these forty-six books? When were they written? Why were they written? What are we to make of their laws, stories, histories, and prophecies? Should the Old Testament be read by itself or in light of the New Testament? John Bergsma and Brant Pitre offer readable in-depth answers to these questions as they introduce each book of the Old Testament. They not only examine the literature from a historical and cultural perspective but also interpret it theologically, drawing on the New Testament and the faith of the Catholic Church. Unique among introductions, this volume places the Old Testament in its liturgical context, showing how its passages are employed in the current Lectionary used at Mass. Accessible to nonexperts, this thorough and up-to-date introduction to the Old Testament can serve as an idea textbook for biblical studies. Its unique approach, along with its maps, illustrations, and other reference materials, makes it a valuable resource for seminarians, priests, Scripture scholars, theologians, and catechists, as well as anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Bible.




The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings for Year C


Book Description

The Catholic Lectionary guides us through the liturgical year, presenting Old and New Testament readings that together reveal God’s unfolding plan for our salvation. In The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings for Year C, biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma provides commentary alongside each Sunday’s readings. Whether you are a homilist seeking insight into the meaning of difficult scriptural passages or a Catholic desiring a deepened understanding of the readings you hear at Mass, The Word of the Lord serves as an invaluable guide. This volume includes commentaries for: Readings for the Season of Advent Readings for the Season of Christmas Readings for the Season of Lent Readings for the Season of Easter Readings for the Season of Ordinary Time Readings for Solemnities of the Lord in Ordinary Time




The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings for Year A


Book Description

The Catholic Lectionary guides us through the liturgical year, presenting Old and New Testament readings that together reveal God’s unfolding plan for our salvation. In The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings for Year A, biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma provides commentary on each Sunday’s unique presentation of readings. Whether you are a homilist seeking insight into the meaning of difficult scriptural passages or a pew Catholic desiring a deepened understanding of the readings you hear at Mass, The Word of the Lord serves as an invaluable guide. This volume includes commentaries for: Readings for the Season of Advent Readings for the Season of Christmas Readings for the Season of Lent Readings for the Season of Easter Readings for the Season of Ordinary Time Readings for Solemnities of the Lord in Ordinary Time




Ponder


Book Description

Ponder: Contemplative Bible Study accompanies all hearers and preachers of the Word as they pray with and ponder the Sunday readings throughout the liturgical year. Everything needed for a rich experience of lectio divina and biblical exploration is provided: the full text of the Sunday readings, concise commentary, engaging reflections, and clear guidance on how to use this resource alone or with a group. This volume guides readers through the Year A lectionary.




Lent and Easter Reflections


Book Description

The Catholic Daily Reflections Series was written to help you enter more deeply into the Holy Scriptures and the Catholic Liturgy on a daily basis. Through these reflections and prayers, you are invited to embrace the Word of God in a personal, engaging, challenging and transforming way. These reflections are also a great resource for priests and deacons for their daily homily preparations. This Volume offers daily reflections and prayers for Lent and Easter. Catholic Daily Reflections Series: Volume One: Advent and Christmas Volume Two: Lent and Easter Volume Three: Ordinary Time: Weeks 1-17 Volume Four: Ordinary Time: Weeks 18-34