In the first six chapters of his book, Joshua’s story is modelled on outstanding moments in the career of Moses. Through parallels to the crossing of the Red Sea and the sanctification of the people before Mount Sinai (Josh 3:5; Exod 15; 19:10-14), the celebration of Passover (Josh 5:10; Exod 12), the manna
Padraig McCarthy has supplied us with the links for those who are looking for the Rite of Marriage as it will be celebrated when the New Missal come in this Autumn.
We thank him for this information
St Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of the Church of Rome and was martyred under the Emperor Valerian on the 10th of August 258, four days after Pope Sixtus II and his companions. Little is known of the life of Saint Lawrence. What is clear is that he was immensely popular with the Christians of Rome.
(excerpts from www.kilmacudcarmel.ie/edith.html)
Edith Stein was born to a Jewish family at Breslau (today, Bratislava) on October 12, 1891. She was the youngest of 11 children. Her father died when she was two years old, and her hard-working and devout mother took over the care of her
The more we come to know the God of majesty, the more amazing seems his love and personal concern, his closeness to his creatures. Today’s texts centre on this paradox. Deuteronomy puts it marvellously, first speaking of
We could try to have a deep and trusting faith in divine providence, like Elijah and Peter, in today’s Scripture. Neither of those two saints found it always easy to believe that God would take care of them. And the great apostle Paul, too, had his problems in holding to his faith in God’s guiding hand in human history, for he was in anguish
In this Sunday’s liturgy, Catholics gather to celebrate our beautiful God, who was revealed to Elijah as a gentle breeze and who calmed the storm on the lake. The liturgy expresses gratitude that this God takes our fears away and gives rest to our souls.
Theme: The apostles were priveleged to witness the inner life of Christ, when his splendour was revealed to them on the holy mountain. We pray for a deeper experience of God in our own lives, and to share in his divine life.
Matthew here draws together various sayings of Jesus on true discipleship; Deuteronomy sets forth the conditions and attitude of an obedient follower of Moses; the prophecy of Nahum celebrates the victory of such goodness and fidelity over massive forces of evil.
Two contrasting words emerge from the readings, “rock” and “flesh.” In them we can recognize the rich diversity and development of the Scriptures. A literal rock is the source of fresh water and vigorous life in the Book of Numbers. In Matthew’s Gospel a human “rock” becomes the foundation of the church.
The readings speak of hope, the quality of persevering despite bad reports and long delays, and God’s adjustment to our human responses. The Israelites gave up so quickly, but the Canaanite woman would not take No for an answer. Jeremiah would not revise his early message of hope for the
Never neglecting his people, God comes to rescue them in a moment of crisis, defending Moses against the envy of Miriam and Aaron. The Israelites are drawn back from the land of exile; and the disciples, adrift on the lake of Galilee in a violent storm, are saved from drowning.
We have striking contrasts and confrontations to meditate on today. While providing food in the wilderness, Moses succumbs to the people’s complaint, while in a similar context Jesus feeds the crowds. We hear of prophets quarreling with one another and of Jesus’ being mistaken for a ghost.
Great wonders are proclaimed in today’s Liturgy. God’s love and God’s care for humanity are made manifest, and those who gather for Mass are invited to join in God’s feast.
Leviticus 25 summarizes the sociological setting of ancient Israel. It states the secular context regulating land and family relationships, and roots these rights and obligations in Israel’s relationship to God. Another passage from this chapter, not cited today, gives the theological basis. Through
Today we celebrate the feast of St Martha, who was sister both to Mary and Lazarus. We recently heard in a gospel passage how Mary “chose the better part” when Jesus came to visit their home – “better part” being her close attentiveness to Jesus at his feet. But, this does not preclude Martha’s
Today we conclude the Book of Exodus, as important to the Old Testament as are the gospels to the New. We also conclude another of the major sections in Matthew’s gospel, on the reign or kingdom of God (Matthew 11:2–13:53). In these readings we find God’s merciful way of starting over
At crucial transitions in our life, and certainly at the hour of death, we are obliged to exchange all our possessions for the pearl of great price. Then the challenge of Joshua to the Israelites in the drama of covenant renewal at Shechem is leveled at ourselves: Now, therefore,
While the heart of the Mosaic Torah is found at Exodus chapters 19-24, there is a major theological commentary on it, in chaps. 32-34, which really provides the key to the entire Book of Exodus. Because the Way of the Covenant is a total way of life
James, son of Alphaeus is often identified with James the Less, who is only mentioned three times in the Bible, each time in connection with his mother. Mark 15:40 refers to “Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses”, while Mark 16:1 and Matthew 27:56 refer to “Mary, the mother of James”.
