Study Guide for July 10, The 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here’s a link to the Sunday readings for July 10 (usccb.org).

Sample Commentary on Luke 10:25-37

As Jesus continues his journey to the cross, he runs up against persons of authority who question his ministry. The man in this passage tries to pull Jesus into a legal debate. Rather than square off against him, Jesus honors his knowledge (v.26), then agrees with him (v.28), then changes the tone of the confrontation by telling a story – and everyone loves a good story!

Here’s a link to discussion questions and commentaries on the First Reading and the Gospel passage for July 10.

Study Guide for July 3, The 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here’s a link to the Sunday readings for July 3 (usccb.org).

Sample Commentary on Luke 10:1-12, 17-20

Jesus already sent out his twelve closest disciples (9:1f). Here he sends even more, this time throughout Samaria. This passage shows that the missionary work undertaken in the Book of Acts is based on Jesus’ own command.

Here’s a link to discussion questions and commentaries on the First Reading and the Gospel passage for July 3.

Study Guide for June 26, The 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Here’s a link to the Sunday readings for June 26 (usccb.org).

Sample Commentary on Luke 9:51-62

James and John try to recreate the time Elijah called down fire from heaven upon some Samaritans who had come to attack him (2 Kings 1:9f). By rebuking the two disciples, Jesus again reveals that his mission is about forgiveness, not condemnation. Luke will later present the Samaritans positively. The disciples must learn to temper their judgment with mercy and patience.

Here’s a link to discussion questions and commentaries on the First Reading and the Gospel passage for June 26.

Study Guide for June 19, The Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Here’s a link to the Sunday readings for June 19 (usccb.org).

Sample Commentary on Luke 9:11b-17

When Jesus feeds the crowd, he evokes the stories of God giving manna to the Israelites in the desert and Elisha feeding 100 men with only 20 loaves (2 Kings 4:42f). These and other biblical passages point ahead to the fulfillment of God’s promise of a huge, unending banquet.

Here’s a link to discussion questions and commentaries on the First Reading and the Gospel passage for June 19.

Study Guide for June 12, Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity

Here’s a link to the Sunday readings for June 12 (usccb.org).

Sample Commentary on Proverbs 8:22-31

The Old Testament includes the biblical wisdom tradition in which God’s wisdom is personified as “Lady Wisdom.” In this passage Wisdom is linked to creation, for God created everything through her. Wisdom is an attribute or quality of God and therefore divine in origin. Because God created through Wisdom, the world reveals the justice and orderliness of God.

Here’s a link to discussion questions and commentaries on the First Reading and the Gospel passage for June 12.

Study Guide for June 5, Pentecost Sunday

Here’s a link to the Sunday readings for June 5 (usccb.org).

Sample Commentary on Acts 2:1-11

Pentecost was the Greek name for the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot). It was originally a harvest festival celebrated about fifty days after Passover. The feast evolved into a commemoration of God’s giving of the law (Torah) on Mount Sinai, where fire was a sign of God’s presence (Exodus 19:18).

Here’s a link to discussion questions and commentaries on the First Reading and the Gospel passage for June 5.

Study Guides for the Ascension and the Seventh Sunday of Easter

NOTE: Below are two Study Guides. The first is for the Solemnity of the Ascension. If you’re in the Archdiocese of Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Omaha, or Philadelphia, you’ll probably hear the readings for the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

Here’s a link to the readings for May 26 or 29, Ascension (usccb.org).

Here’s a link to discussion questions and commentaries on the First Reading and the Gospel passage for May 26 or 29, Ascension.

THE SEVENTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Here’s a link to the readings for May 29, the Seventh Sunday of Easter (usccb.org).

Here’s a link to discussion questions and commentaries on the Second Reading and the Gospel passage for May 29, the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

Study Guide for May 22, The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Here’s a link to the Sunday readings for May 22 (usccb.org).

Sample Commentary on Revelation 21:10-14, 22-23

John’s use of the number twelve indicates that he isn’t only describing a physical structure. Just as the word church refers both to a building and to its members, so does this city. The number twelve recalls the twelve tribes of Israel, each of which descended from Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. Twelve also refers to the disciples whom Jesus chose to represent the new Israel. The disciples are thus the foundation of the new community Jesus formed.

Here’s a link to discussion questions and commentaries on the Second Reading and the Gospel passage for May 22.

Study Guide for May 15, The Fifth Sunday of Easter

Here’s a link to the Sunday readings for May 15 (usccb.org).

Sample Commentary on John 13:31-33a, 34-35

This passage is part of Jesus’ last formal speech to his disciples. In the ancient world it was common for significant people to be shown giving a farewell address. The Old Testament includes the last formal addresses of Jacob (Genesis 49), Moses (Deuteronomy 33), and Joshua (Joshua 23-24).

Such farewell speeches were given in anticipation of a person’s forthcoming death. They included words of consolation, promises about the future, blessings, and instructions about how to behave.

Here’s a link to discussion questions and commentaries on the Second Reading and the Gospel passage for May 15.

Study Guide for May 8, The Fourth Sunday of Easter

Here’s a link to the Sunday readings for May 8 (usccb.org).

Sample Commentary on John 10:27-30

Although we hear these consoling verses during the Easter season, the Gospel-writer framed them in a very different feast day. Jesus is in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish defeat of a pagan overlord (v.22). As Jews celebrate this past military victory, some ask if Jesus is also such a messiah (v.24).

Here’s a link to discussion questions and commentaries on the Second Reading and the Gospel passage for May 8.