What is Hades? How does it differ from our Christian concept of hell? The Gospel According to Luke 16:19–31 (NABRE) contains the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. The action takes place in the underworld, though the image used for the underworld here is noticeably different from the Christian concept …

The Gospel According to Luke 16:13 (NABRE) contains Jesus’ familiar statement: “You cannot serve both God and mammon.” Within the context of the passage, it’s clear that mammon here concerns wealth, but something unusual is also going on with this term that explains why translators don’t frequently translate it into …

In the first chapter of his First Letter of Paul to Timothy (NABRE), Paul describes how he was a blasphemer and a sinner and how God treated him mercifully—emphasizing the great mercy of God and our tremendous need before him. The Greek word ἔλεος (eleos), “pity” or mercy, suggests kindness …

In the fourteenth chapter in the Gospel According to Luke (NABRE), Jesus urges that to follow him, we must hate our fathers, mothers, wives, children, brothers, sisters, and even our selves. This view of hating ourselves is potentially difficult to understand and worth unpacking a bit. The Greek word here …

in the fourteenth chapter in the Gospel According to Luke (NABRE), Jesus calls us to humility. Critical to growth in the spiritual life, humility also is an easily misunderstood concept. In this parable, Jesus explains humility as a function of status. The Greek word translated as humility, ταπεινόω (tapeinoo), literally refers …

The twelfth chapter in the Letter to the Hebrews (NABRE) reminds us that God disciplines or chastises his followers. It’s easy to read into this translation a connotation of punishment, though the Greek text presents an entirely different picture of discipline and suggests a warmer characterization of God’s corrective actions. …

As we reflect on the cost and conflict that comes with proclaiming the word of God, the Letter to the Hebrews 12:1 (NABRE) reminds us that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. Within the context of Christianity, bearing witness came to have a special sense, and the …

In the eleventh chapter of the Letter to the Hebrews (NABRE), we encounter a familiar statement about faith that is often cited as a definition: “Faith is the realization of what is hoped for and evidence of things not seen.” This statement offers significant insight into faith and its relationship …

“Vanity of vanities! All things are vanity!” We encounter this well-known passage in the Book of Ecclesiastes (NABRE). In this passage, the author relates to all of life as vanity, a concept that many have found very relatable over time. While we intuitively have a sense of what this passage …

In this week’s liturgy, the readings focus on Jesus teaching his disciples about prayer. In the Gospel According to Luke 11:1–13 (NABRE), Jesus has been discussing mistakes people make when they pray. As a remedy, Jesus offers the Lord’s Prayer, which Catholics often refer to as the “Our Father.” What …