Catholic Bible Study Made Simple

Just because God asks us to do something does not mean that it will be successful by human standards. Nor does He expect it to do it by our own efforts. No, He expects obedience from us and complete dependence upon Him to achieve the results He desires.

The Mass readings can be found here: Scripture Readings

The blog post can be found here: Blog Post

When God completed creation on the sixth day, everything was perfect. Adam and Eve had been warned that death was a consequence of eating of the forbidden fruit. Thus, all forms of imperfection entered into creation are the result of their sin. When Jesus walked the earth, He showed that He as God has the power to reverse the consequences of that first sin. God does not change, and His Son still wants to reverse the consequences of sin—that of our first parents and our own.

The Mass readings can be found here: Scripture Readings

The blog post can be found here: Blog Post

Every life has its storms. One may either panic because they cannot be controlled by human efforts, or choose to believe that God is in control and that there is no need for panic, anxiety, or worry. God’s word tells us that He has done this for others in the past. Why should He not be able to do this in the present time? If we are a new creation as a result of our baptisms, we are a new creation who is capable of faith that changes our belief systems about ourselves, our lives, and what God is capable of doing in our lives.

The Mass readings can be found here: Scripture Readings

The blog post can be found here: Blog Post

One potential message from these readings is to achieve your purpose in life no matter how small or how large. God gives us everything we need to achieve that purpose. Do not limit yourself to how you, or perhaps the world sees you. God isn’t done with you yet. To look at yourself today can bring either pride or discouragement. Give yourself unreservedly to God. Let Him worry about the outcome.

The Mass readings can be found here: Scripture Readings

The blog post can be found here: Blog Post

In years past this solemnity was known as Corpus Christi, the Body of Christ. There are only four cities in the world named Corpus Christi, and all of them are in the western hemisphere. Corpus Christi, Texas is so named, because it was discovered on this feast day in 1519.

We have the opportunity to rediscover, or perhaps discover, the truth beauty and power of the body and blood of Christ. Let us all do this this year that we may discover the power and salvation that Jesus has given us through the Eucharist.

The Mass readings can be found here: Scripture Readings

The blog post can be found here: Blog Post

The Trinity is in scripture beginning with the first few verses. We see it again at Jesus’ baptism. Jesus gives it to us when He tells the apostles the formula for baptism.

The concept of one God with three persons is difficult if not impossible for humans to fully grasp. That is why it is called a mystery. It is a matter of faith to believe in the Trinity.

The Mass readings can be found here: Scripture Readings

The blog post can be found here: Blog Post

“[L]ike living stones be yourselves built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5, RSV2CE) This a description of the unity that the Spirit wishes to make of us. We, individuals that we are, are called to live next to others bonded together by the glue that the Spirit brings. The Spirit also brings life to the lifeless stones that we are.

To be truly filled with the Spirit is to allow him full continual access to every area of our lives. Most of us want to hold something back or don’t want some gift or some neighboring stone that the Spirit gives us.

May this be the Pentecost that the Spirit removes our hearts of stone and gives us hearts of flesh (cf. Ezk 36:26-27). May this be the Pentecost when we allow the Spirit to make us true one, united to each other in Christ.

The Mass readings can be found here: Scripture Readings

The blog post can be found here: Blog Post

The apostles must have been conflicted. They were probably happy that Jesus was going back to His Father, but they were probably sad that they would not see Him again. Also, although Jesus gave last minute instructions before His departure, they would not grasp what He was saying until they experienced Pentecost. These might be words to describe us today when we encounter Jesus. How unchanged is human nature over the centuries?

The Mass readings can be found here: Scripture Readings

The blog post can be found here: Blog Post

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, RSV2CE) This is probable the most quoted verse in the New Testament. And it not just some that God wishes to be saved and have eternal life. “[God] desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Timothy 2:4, RSV2CE)

If we believe this, why do we reject God’s love for us by demanding that He love us in the manner that we choose? Why, if we are called to love as He loves, do we refuse to love others as ourselves? Tough questions that we often refuse to consider and answer.

As I was preparing this study, a reflection on St. Faustina’s diary was the meditation for Friday. It speaks to this same issue based on entry 576 in her diary. The mediation is available on DivineMercy.life. Here is the link: Divine Mercy Reflection 120: Pure Love of God.

The Mass readings can be found here: Scripture Readings

The blog post can be found here: Blog Post

All of us are somewhere—somewhere we remain, abide, dwell, or even stuck. These readings call us to remain in Jesus and to allow Him to remain in us. That is the only way we can bear the fruit that we have been created to bear.

The Mass readings can be found here: Scripture Readings

The blog post can be found here: Blog Post