359 total views
359 total views From the infancy narratives, which are written from a post-Easter theological perspective, it is impossible to determine how much Mary understood at the time of Jesus’ conception and birth. Pregnancy, birth, and choosing a name are great events for a young mother who goes through this experience for the first time. Only mothers
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275 total views Matthew opens his gospel with a genealogy linking Abraham and David with the Messiah and from here prepares his readers to expect an unusual birth narrative. And when viewed in the Mediterranean cultural context, (where betrothal and the taking of the bride to the bridegroom’s house are the two parts, the beginning and
389 total views
389 total views Matthew opens his gospel with a genealogy linking Abraham and David with the Messiah and from here prepares his readers to expect an unusual birth narrative. And when viewed in the Mediterranean cultural context, (where betrothal and the taking of the bride to the bridegroom’s house are the two parts, the beginning and
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373 total views After the messengers from the imprisoned John the Baptist have left him Jesus speaks warmly to the people about John as the messenger who prepares the way (Mt 11:2-11; cf Lk 7:27, quoting the prophet Malachi 3:1). The term “angelos”( ἄγγελος ) in NT, ( “mal’āk” in the OT), refers in the first
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398 total views Isaiah is considered the prophet of Advent, announcing the arrival of the messianic king (cf s1S#8 Messiah), a just and God-fearing descendant of David. His reign will be an era of justice on behalf of his people and a return to the harmony and peace of Eden, (cf first reading, Is 11:1-10, taken
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400 total views Today, the First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of another liturgical year. This season is an opportunity to reflect on the longing and hope that preceded Christ’s birth, just as it directs the attention to look forward to his return at history’s end. Both events may have one thing in common, the
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346 total views On the last Sunday of the liturgical calendar, the Church celebrates the Kingship of Christ. This year the gospel is taken from the passion narrative of Luke (23:35:43), where Jesus of Nazareth meets his fate: crucified at the place called the Skull between two criminals, with one joining in the mocking of Jesus,
