De Omnibus Dubitandum Est.

As you probably know, each week I sit down at my desk in the evenings after work and look up the Scripture readings for the coming Sunday. I then write an exhaustive investigation into the context and history of each reading. I then attempt to draw all the readings together with the Psalm, and look at what we can learn from them. I have to say despite my efforts, most Sundays, as I sit and listen attentively to the liturgy of the Word, I hear a new dimension, or gain a new insight which I invariably wish I had picked up studying at my desk. I suppose this is the power of the kerygma —that is the Gospel preached. It is alive and supposed to be heard—preached—with vigour. That is, of course, an inherent part of what I would like to achieve from my Sunday Scripture blogs. I would like any reader at Mass who has spent some time reflecting via the blog to be able to deliver the Scripture with renewed vigour born of a thorough understanding. It is cathartic in this regard as I a...

"Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  Ps 119:105 Welcome to this, the forty-seventh of my reflections on the theology of the Sunday readings at Mass. I have undertaken this project, regularly posting background information on the readings at Sunday Mass as part of my own prayer life. I have found it helps me to do a little study before I go to Mass about the readings, what the theme of the week is, how it follows on from the previous week's readings and what is being said. In sharing this, I hope to help you too get more from the Bible and Sunday Scripture readings. Perhaps it might give you confidence in the value and legitimacy of the Bible, or perhaps it might inspire you to pray the Divine Office or investigate the weekly readings for yourself. I see this as very clearly part of what the Church teaches about the Bible: This heaven-sent treasure Holy Church considers as the most precious source of doctrine on faith and morals. No ...