Letters From Home St. Paul Center
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- Religion & Spirituality
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The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology is a non-profit research and educational institute that promotes life-transforming Scripture study in the Catholic tradition.
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How the Word of God Has Fashioned Reality - Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Fifth Week of Lent by Dr. Scott Hahn.
Lenten Weekday/ Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Doctor
First Reading: Daniel 13: 1-9, 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or Daniel 13: 41c-62
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23: 1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6
Verse Before the Gospel: Ezekiel 33: 11
Gospel: John 8: 1-11
Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com -
Se acerca la “hora”: Scott Hahn reflexiona sobre el 5º Domingo de Cuaresma
Lecturas:
Jeremías 31, 31-34
Salmo 51, 3-4, 12-15
Hebreos 5, 7-9
Juan 12, 20-33
Las lecturas este domingo están llenas de expectativas. “Los días que vienen…”, dice el profeta Jeremías en la primera lectura. “La hora ha venido” dice Jesús en el Evangelio. La Nueva Alianza que Dios prometió a Jeremías se cumple en la “hora” de Jesús: en su muerte, resurrección, y ascensión a la derecha del Padre.
Los profetas predijeron que con esta Nueva Alianza regresarían, de todos los rincones de la tierra, las exiliadas tribus de Israel (cfr. Je 31,1.3.4.7.8). Jesús profetizó también que su Pasión reuniría a los hijos dispersos de Dios (Jn 11,52). Sin embargo, en el Evangelio de este domingo Jesús promete que atraerá hacia Sí no sólo a los israelitas, sino a todos los hombres y mujeres (Jn 12, 32).
La Nueva Alianza es mucho más que una reivindicación política o nacional. Como cantamos en el salmo, es una restauración espiritual universal. En la “hora” de Jesús, los pecadores de todas la naciones pueden regresar al Padre para ser lavados de su culpa y recibir corazones nuevos para amarle y servirle.
Jesús, al decir que será “levantado”, no está aludiendo solamente a su crucifixión ya próxima (cfr. Jn 3,14-15). Isaías usa la misma expresión para describir cómo el Mesías, después de sufrir por los pecados de Israel, sería levantado y grandemente exaltado (Is 52,2). En otra parte, el término se refiere a cómo como los reyes serían elevados sobre sus súbditos (cfr. 1M 8,13).
Jesús, durante su agonía, no oró para ser salvado. Más bien, según leemos en la epístola de este domingo, se ofreció a sí mismo al Padre en la cruz como súplica viviente. Por ello, Dios le dio potestad sobre el cielo y la tierra (Hch 2,33; Flp 2,9).
A donde ha ido podemos seguirle, si nos dejamos guiar por Él. Seguir a Jesús significa odiar el pecado y el egoísmo presentes en nuestra vida. Quiere decir confiar en la voluntad del Padre: en la ley que Él ha escrito en nuestros corazones.
La “hora” de Jesús continúa en la Eucaristía, donde unimos nuestros sacrificios al Suyo, entregando nuestras vidas a Dios como acto de reverencia y obediencia, confiando en que él nos elevará para que demos frutos de santidad. -
The “Hour” Comes: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fifth Sunday of Lent
Readings:
Jeremiah 31:31–34
Psalm 51:3–4, 12–13, 14–15
Hebrews 5:7–9
John 12:20–33
Our readings today are filled with anticipation. The days are coming, Jeremiah prophesies in today’s First Reading. The hour has come, Jesus says in the Gospel. The new covenant that God promised to Jeremiah is made in the “hour” of Jesus—in His Death, Resurrection, and Ascension to the Father’s right hand.
The prophets said this new covenant would return Israel’s exiled tribes from the ends of the world (see Jeremiah 31:1, 3–4, 7–8). Jesus too predicted His passion would gather the dispersed children of God (see John 11:52). But today He promises to draw to Himself not only Israelites, but all men and women.
The new covenant is more than a political or national restoration. As we sing in today’s Psalm, it is a universal spiritual restoration. In the “hour” of Jesus, sinners in every nation can return to the Father—to be washed of their guilt and given new hearts to love and serve Him.
In predicting He will be “lifted up,” Jesus isn’t describing only His coming Crucifixion (see John 3:14–15). Isaiah used the same word to tell how the Messiah, after suffering for Israel’s sins, would be raised high and greatly exalted (see Isaiah 52:3). Elsewhere the term describes how kings are elevated above their subjects (see 1 Maccabees 8:13).
Troubled in His agony, Jesus doesn’t pray to be saved. Instead, as we hear in today’s Epistle, He offers himself to the Father on the Cross—as a living prayer and supplication. For this, God gives Him dominion over heaven and earth (see Acts 2:33; Philippians 2:9).
Where He has gone we can follow—if we let Him lead us. To follow Jesus means hating our lives of sin and selfishness. It means trusting in the Father’s will, the law He has written in our hearts. Jesus’ “hour” continues in the Eucharist, where we join our sacrifices to His, giving God our lives in reverence and obedience—confident He will raise us up to bear fruits of holiness. -
A False Idol of Unity - Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Fourth Week of Lent by Mr. Clement Harrold.
Lenten Weekday
First Reading: Jeremiah 11: 18-20
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 7: 2-3, 9bc-10, 11-12
Verse Before the Gospel: Luke 8: 15
Gospel: John 7: 40-53
Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com -
How Do We Know the True Philosopher? - Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Fourth Week of Lent by Dr. John Bergsma.
Lenten Weekday, Day of Abstinence from Meat (Age 14 and Up)
First Reading: Wisdom 2: 1a, 12-22
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 34: 17-18, 19-20, 21 and 23
Verse Before the Gospel: Matthew 4: 4b
Gospel: John 7: 1-2, 10, 25-30
Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com -
What it Means to Be His People - Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Fourth Week of Lent by Ms. Joan Watson.
Lenten Weekday
First Reading: Exodus 32: 7-14
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 106: 19-20, 21-22, 23
Verse Before the Gospel: John 3: 16
Gospel: John 5: 31-47
Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
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