The New American Bible Revised Edition is now available online. One can find it here. As I said before, the NAB edition that we use in our English Masses is still the liturgically approved version. And so there is no real pressure for us to purchase this new edition. Besides, only the Old Testament and the Psalms received a make-over, not the New Testament. However, for academic and research purposes, it would be good to have a copy of the NABRE. The Preface to this edition says why:
Read the full story »The leit-motif of the kingdom-banquet theme is conveyed by the first reading and the gospel. The Isaianic oracle from Isaiah 25:6-10 is a vision of the eschatological banquet that God will host on His holy mountain. That day will see the end of the death (the shroud that covers the peoples … the web woven over all nations), and the age of mourning. The shame that hangs over God’s people will be taken away and He will be revealed for what He is: the Good that all looked for, the Savior of His people.
The parable of the wedding banquet in a way contains an explanation of how the kingdom of God will be transferred to a people that will give God the fruits pleasing to Him. Those who were in the guest list has proven their unworthiness to participate in the banquet and so the king fills up his banquetting hall by letting in anyone who would care to come. His servants call in all that they could find, "both good and bad" and bring them to the banquet. But there is a second part to the banquet. Though many have been called, only some will remain. The king finds someone who does not wear the wedding banquet. What is this wedding banquet?
Though everyone is invited to take part in the banquet, there is still a requirement: the white garment of baptism. "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ," writes Paul in a reference to the living out of one’s baptismal vows. The white wedding garment is symbolized in the baptismal garment of the baptized, symbol of the dignity of the status of the children of God. It is also a symbol of the virtues of the saints, that is, the life of righteousness bearing fruit, the spiritual sacrifice of those who make up the new Temple of God which has Christ as its cornerstone.
One can also think of the wedding garment in terms of Christian love, as Tomas Rosica reminds us using one of the sermons of Augustine.
Let us consider the moving words of St. Augustine of Hippo in his sermon (No. 90) on today’s Gospel passage: "What is the wedding garment that the Gospel talks about? Very certainly, that garment is something that only the good have, those who are to participate in the feast. … Could it be the sacraments? Baptism? Without baptism, no one comes to God, but some people receive baptism and do not come to God. … Perhaps it is the altar or what a person receives at the altar? But in receiving the Lord’s body, some people eat and drink to their own condemnation (1 Corinthians 11:29). So what is it? Fasting? The wicked also fast. Going to church often? The wicked go to church just like others. …
"So what is this wedding garment? The Apostle Paul tells us: ‘What we are aiming at … is the love that springs from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith’ (1 Timothy 1:5). That is the wedding garment. Paul is not talking about just any kind of love, for one can often see dishonest people loving others … but one does not see among them this love ‘that springs from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith.’ Now that is the love that is the wedding garment.
"The Apostle Paul said: ‘If I speak with human tongues and angelic as well, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong, a clanging cymbal. … If I have the gift of prophecy and, with full knowledge, comprehend all mysteries, if I have faith great enough to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing’ (1 Corinthians 13:1-2). He said that even if he had all that, without Christ ‘I am nothing.’ … It would be useless, because I can act in that way for love of glory … ‘If I have not love, it is of no use.’ That is the wedding garment. Examine yourselves: if you have it, then come to the Lord’s banquet with confidence."
More from Zenit
The reading from Philippians 4:12-14.19-20 may as well an autobiographical note from the apostle who has experienced how to live from the kindness of God and men, as he follows the path of the Suffering Servant. This can be read as the testimony of one who has lived generously in view of the eschatological banquet.
Popularity: 5% [?]
The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary
This feast was instituted by Pope St. Pius V in thanksgiving for the great naval victory over the Turks at the battle of Lepanto on this day in …
The parable of the wicked husbandmen is the second of a series of judgment parables told by Jesus to groups of Jewish leaders who will have a hand in his death. The theme of judgment is already announced in Jesus’ cursing of the fig tree, the morning that he returns into Jerusalem to confront the elders, the chief priests and the scribes. In Matthew’s version of this episode,
Oxford Dictionary of Saints: St. Jerome
Jerome (Hieronymus) (c.341–420), monk and Doctor of the Church. Born at Strido, near Aquileia, in Dalmatia, Jerome was well educated, first by his father, then by the grammarian Donatus at …
Today is the feast of the Archangels, Michael, Gabriel and Rafael. For the day’s readings, go here. The Jews know seven archangels. The Catholic Church gives cultic recognition to the three who are revealed in …
Lorenzo Ruiz and Anti-Christianity in Japan in the 1600s
The followers of Christ, arriving unexpectedly in Japan, not only came here carrying their goods, but also, without any permission, have spread and propagated their wicked …
Born to a peasant family. A highly intelligent youth, Vincent spent four years with the Franciscan friars at Acq, France getting an education. Tutor to children of a gentlemen in Acq. He began divinity studies …
The Two Sons
The parable of the two sons echoes many instances in the Old Testament that involve competition among siblings. We know of Cain and Abel, Jacob and Esau, Joseph and the sons of Leah. …
This worthy follower of Saint Francis of Assisi was born on 25 May 1887 at Pietrelcina in the Archdiocese of Benevento, the son of Grazio Forgione and Maria Giuseppa De Nunzio. He was baptized the …
St. Matthew
Son of Alphaeus, he lived at Capenaum on Lake Genesareth. He was a Roman tax collector, a position equated with collaboration with the enemy by those from whom he collected taxes. Jesus’ contemporaries were …
A History of Catholicism in Korea
The history of Korea’s Catholic community is unique. Here the laity began to worship as Christians before missionaries came to prostelyze. A group of Korean scholars studied the Christian faith …
Today’s Readings
Reading I: Isaiah 55:6-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 145
Reading II: Philippians 1:20-24c. 27
Gospel Reading: Matthew 20:1-16a
The Rules Have Changed
With Jesus’ parable of the owner of the vineyard, we are told that with …
Today is the memorial of Pope St. Cornelius and Cyprian, friends, and shepherds of a Church under persecution.
On Pope Cornelius
Reluctant 21st pope, elected after a year-and-a-half period during which the persecutions were so bad that …
Benedict XVI on John Chrysostom
It is said of John Chrysostom that when he was seated upon the throne of the New Rome, that is, Constantinople, God caused him to be seen as a second Paul, …
Today’s Readings
Reading I: Sirach 27:30-28:7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 103
Reading II: Romans 14:7-9
Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:21-35
Sirach and Forgiveness
The Gospels did not grow out of the Old Testament, we know that. Between the …
St. Nicolas appears with a star on his chest. He was born in S. Angelo in Pontano and lived for thirty years in Tolentino. He is the first great fruit of the holiness of the …
Trained in the school of Père Alfonso de Sandoval, a wonderful missionary, Peter declared himself "the slave of the negroes forever", and thenceforth his life was one that confounds egotism by its superhuman charity. Although …
Today’s Readings
Reading I: Ezekiel 33:7-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 95
Reading II: Romans 13:8-10
Gospel Reading: Matthew 18:15-20
Process of Reconciliation
The Gospel selection from Matthew 18:15-20 is about the restoration of justice in a relationship …
Life of Gregory the Great
Son of Gordianus, a Roman regionarius, and Saint Silvia of Rome. Nephew of Saint Emiliana and Saint Tarsilla. Great-grandson of Pope Saint Felix III. Educated by the finest teachers in Rome, …
Today’s Readings
Reading I: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 96
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:17-29
Martyrdom of the Baptist
Saint of the Day: Martyrdom of John the Baptist
Manila Bulletin: Martyrdom of John the Baptist
WikiPedia: …
Today’s Readings
Reading I: Jeremiah 20:7-9
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 63
Reading II: Romans 12:1-2
Gospel Reading: Matthew 16:21-27
Jeremiah’s Plaint
The first reading from Jeremiah 20:7-9 is a plaint uttered during the prophet’s stay in lock-up. …
We know her generally as the mother who suffered on account of her son. But that is only a part of the picture. She also had to bear being the wife of a husband who …
Augustine had founded several monasteries in northern Africa, where numerous followers of the Augustinian ideals of monastic community life lived.
Only 34 years after the death of Augustine, in 484, King Hunmeric issued a …
Benedict XVI on St. Bartholomew
On October 4, 2006, Benedict XVI delivered his catechism on St. Bartholomew. The section we present here is a veritable commentary on the Gospel reading for the day.
…
Isabel Flores de Oliva was born in Lima, Peru on April 20 1586. Her parents were of Spanish descent and enjoyed a high standing among the newly formed hierarchy of Lima. Their social status, however, was not matched by any great wealth. Isabel, one of eleven children, began her transformation with a change of name, albeit one completely beyond her control. Her mother, along with several other family members and acquaintances, saw a rose bloom upon the face of the infant as she slept, from which day forward she was known as Rosa (Rose)…
For this week the 21st Week of Ordinary Time Year 1, our lectio cursiva will continue with Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. The Gospel readings from Matthew begins with Jesus’ denunciation of the scribes and Pharisees (Monday and Tuesday), the parable of the wise and faithful steward (Thursday), the parable of the ten virgins (Friday) and the parable of the talents (Saturday).
Life of St. Bernard of Clairvaux
Born to the French nobility; brother of Saint Humbeline. At age 22, fearing the ways of the world, he, four of his brothers, and 25 friends joined the abbey of …
The choice of the Old Testament reading was dictated by Jesus’ statement in the gospel selection regarding the "keys of the kingdom" that he gives to Peter, the Rock. The OT background for this emblem is that of the keys of the mayordomo of the king’s palace.
Ezekiel Moreno was born in the city of Alfaro, Spain, on 9 April 1848, of poor but committed Christian parents. His early years were seemingly ordinary and uneventful ones in which Ezekiel came to be remembered as an obedient son, a loving brother, a good companion to his friends, and a diligent student. Following the example of an older brother, he entered the Recollect Congregation of the Augustinian Order in Monteagudo in 1864.
Except for the celebration of the solemnity of the Assumption which falls this year on Monday, we have a more or less continuous reading of the lectionary of Ordinary Time. During the week, we …
Today’s Readings
Reading I: Isaiah 56:1.6-7
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 67
Reading II: Romans 11:13-15.29-32
Gospel Reading: Matthew 15:21-28
The story about the Canaanite woman can be taken in two ways. In the Catechism it is …