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 …

The fifth chapter of the Letter to the Galatians (NABRE) focuses on spirit and flesh. We see there a clear contrast between living in the spirit and living in the flesh, with the strong suggestion that the two are mutually exclusive. What makes these two things opposed, and what is …

The Book of Jeremiah 1:4–5 (NABRE) highlights that God called the prophet even before creating him and setting him apart for his task. This idea of being set apart in order to be dedicated to God appears throughout the Old and New Testaments and is one of the most important …

Although most people are familiar with the prophet Micah’s foretelling where the Messiah would be born, the same prophecy also has something important to say about the temporal nature of the new king. The fifth chapter in the Book of Micah (NABRE) contains a powerful prophecy about the coming Messiah …

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 …

At liturgical celebrations of the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity, a reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans 8:15 (NABRE) contains language of prayerful address to God: “but you received a Spirit of adoption, through whom we cry, ‘Abba, Father!’” This prayer shows us a common address for God, …

The parable from the Gospel According to Matthew 25:31–46 (NABRE) portrays the end of time and shows Jesus separating sheep from goats—those who have earned eternal reward from those going to eternal punishment. Ancient Greek has more than one word that can mean some sort of punishment. The word ποινή …

In the opening of his First Letter to the Thessalonians, Paul gives us an interesting and important insight into the attitude of the early Christian community and suggests a mentality and approach we should strive to continue today. The First Letter to the Thessalonians 1:2 (NABRE) reads: “We give thanks …

In the Gospel According to Matthew 14:19 (NABRE), Jesus blesses the bread and as a result it multiplies. This is a powerful act and one that triggers a miraculous intervention by God. Blessing remains a deeply important part of our religious practice today and one that we continue to hope …

Paul relies heavily upon the concept of spirit to explain to the Corinthians how the spirit of God operates. Throughout the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 2:10–16 (NABRE), the Greek word used is pneuma, which literally means a “breeze” or “wind,” and from that meaning the word also …