The book of Genesis 14:18-20 (NABRE) describes Melchizedek blessing Abraham. This blessing is foundational in the Old Testament as it establishes a relationship between Abraham and God that is extended also to Abraham’s descendants. So what exactly is it? In Greek and Latin, blessing ultimately has to do with speaking …

In the Gospel According to John 14:26 (NABRE), we encounter Jesus’ well-known description of the Holy Spirit as the Advocate or Counselor. This view of the Holy Spirit is essential to the Evangelist’s view of the role of the third person of the Most Holy Trinity, so it’s worthwhile to …

The Gospel According to John 13:31–35 (NABRE) looks ahead to when Jesus will be glorified. What exactly does Jesus mean by that, and what is it that Jesus is going to look like? The Greek word δόξα (doxa) translated as glory is related to a verb meaning “to expect,” “to …

What does it mean to worship and serve God in heaven? What does heaven look like and what will we be doing if we make it there? In the seventh chapter of the book of Revelation (NABRE), we see a great multitude before the throne of God. What exactly this …

Why would Jesus distinguish between philia and agape when asking Peter about love? The Gospel According to John 21:15–19 (NABRE) contains one of the most interesting translation issues in the whole of Scripture, the discussion between Jesus and Peter as they talk back and forth about the notion of love. What …

The Gospel According to John 8:1–11 (NABRE) highlights sin and consequence in the account of the woman taken in adultery. The Jewish leaders have found a sinful woman whom they are using as a trap for Jesus. He can either endorse carrying out the law and get in trouble with …

Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians 5:17–21 (NABRE) looks at the work of Christ as one of reconciliation. Due to the common Church contexts in which we hear this word and its association with the sacrament of Confession, it’s easy to begin to see this as a removing of sin …

What’s indicated by the letters YHWH in reference to God? In the book of Exodus 3:14 (NABRE), God tells Moses his name: “I am who I am.” God’s name in future Hebrew literature derives from this statement. The exact pronunciation and meaning of this name is uncertain, though it very …

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 …