Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ, Year B, Gospel Commentary (Mark 14:12-16, 22-26)

You can find a commentary on the first reading here https://biblestudystjosephsparis.wordpress.com/2021/06/04/solemnity-of-the-most-holy-body-and-blood-of-christ-1st-reading-exodus-243-8/ and on the second one here https://biblestudystjosephsparis.wordpress.com/2024/05/31/solemnity-of-the-body-and-blood-of-christ-second-reading-year-b-hebrews-911-15/ On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when they sacrificed the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples said to him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare for you to eat the Passover?” He

Fifth Sunday of Lent, Year B, First Reading (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

31 “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their ancestors when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though

11th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, First Reading (Exodus 19:2-6)

The Israelites entered the Desert of Sinai, and camped there in the desert in front of the mountain. 3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have

Trinity Sunday, Year A, First Reading (Exodus 34:4-6, 8-9)

Moses went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the Lord had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands. 5 Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the Lord. 6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and

Introduction to the Book of Joel

The second book among the minor prophets is that of Joel, whose name means “Yahweh is God.” We know very little about him except the name of his father. It is also difficult to date the book. Because Joel mentions Judah and Jerusalem but never refers to Israel or its capital Samaria, a lot of

The Charge against Israel (Hosea 4:1-3)

Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites, because the Lord has a charge to bring against you who live in the land: “There is no faithfulness, no love, no acknowledgment of God in the land. 2 There is only cursing, lying and murder, stealing and adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed. 3 Because of this the land dries up, and all who

Hosea’s Children (Hosea 1:4-9)

4 Then the Lord said to Hosea, “Call him Jezreel, because I will soon punish the house of Jehu for the massacre at Jezreel, and I will put an end to the kingdom of Israel. 5 In that day I will break Israel’s bow in the Valley of Jezreel.” 6 Gomer conceived again and gave birth to a daughter. Then the Lord said to Hosea,

A Few Final Introductory Comments on Hosea

The book does not tell us where Hosea gave his prophecies but some at least were probably given in the capital of the north kingdom of Israel, Samaria. Nor do we know to whom he preached. In his prophecies, Hosea generally addresses the entire nation, and he shows this by using terms like “Israel” and

Introduction to Hosea: The Sinai Covenant

To understand Hosea and his message, one must first understand the covenant made between God and Moses (as representative of the people) on Mount Sinai. In the book there are blessings and curses on Israel that God announces through Hosea, and each one has a link with Mosaic law. Essentially, Hosea warns Israel that God

Major Themes of the Minor Prophets

The twelve books of the minor prophets were written at different times and by very different people but they do have some common themes. Fundamentally, the prophets speak about God’s relationship with his chosen people, who constantly disappoint him. They do terrible things, he gets angry and punishes them, they repent and then the whole