The readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent look at the alarming statement found in the Gospel According to Luke 1:30 (NABRE): “Then the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.‘” This statement by the angel highlights the reason that Mary …

The Gospel According to Luke 2:35 (NABRE) contains one of the more difficult passages about our Blessed Mother: “(and you yourself a sword will pierce) so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There’s an especially interesting image here around the idea of piercing, which is a bit …

The first chapter of the Gospel According to John (NABRE) contains John’s testimony about himself when priests and Levites are sent to question him about the basis for his ministry and baptism. This entire exchange is incredibly interesting, but one line in particular stands out in the Gospel According to …

The liturgical season of Advent takes its name from the Latin word adventus, derived from the verb advenio, which means “I come toward” or “I arrive.” Advent in a general sense refers to any coming or arrival, though in the liturgical sense, of course, it refers to the coming of …

As we celebrate the holiday of Thanksgiving in the United States, it seems fitting to take a look at the topic of giving thanks as it’s treated in the Scriptures. For those of us who are Catholic, this topic is of special importance because it lends its name to the …

In the Gospel According to Matthew 25:14–30 (NABRE), Jesus tells a parable about servants who are given charge of a portion of their master’s wealth during his absence. Two invest prudently while one doesn’t. To the two with whom the master is satisfied, he promises increased responsibility and invites them …

The Book of Wisdom 6:12–16 (NABRE) describes many positive attributes of wisdom. This deuterocanonical book is one of the last written in the Old Testament and clearly shows the influence of Greek thought on the Jewish mindset. For many Greeks, wisdom was one of the deepest held and most highly …

In the Gospel According to Matthew 22:40 (NABRE), Jesus makes a fascinating point that’s easy to misinterpret when he says: “The whole law and prophets depend on these two commandments.” The word depend here carries a lot of weight and suggests an interesting dependency. The Greek verb that is translated …

In the Gospel According to Matthew 22:36 (NABRE), a lawyer asks Jesus an extremely important question: “Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?” Beyond giving us Jesus’ answer and insight into God’s view of the meaning and purpose of Old Testament events, this question also gives us an …

The Letter to the Philippians 4:13 (NABRE) contains Paul’s familiar statement, “I have the strength for everything through him who empowers me.” (The RSVCE translation is perhaps more familiar: “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” Immediately prior to that verse in the Letter to the Philippians …