Tag: Scriptures
J.R.R. Tolkien: A new look at the literary giant’s contribution to the Jerusalem Bible
Did you know that the same author who wrote about hobbits, elves and orcs also translated the Book of Jonah for the Jerusalem Bible? J.R.R. Tolkien, best known for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, was asked in 1957 to contribute to a new translation of the Bible coming out of England. The task was led by… Read More ›
Pope Francis: ‘consult the Bible as often as your cellphone’
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Sunday called on Christians to consult the Bible with the same frequency as they might consult their cellphones for messages. Speaking to the crowds gathered in St. Peter’s Square following his weekly Angelus blessing, the Pope urged those present to give the Bible the same place in daily life as… Read More ›
The Meaning of Scripture
One day some old men came to see Abba Anthony. In the midst of them was Abba Joseph. Wanting to test them, the old man suggested a text from the Scriptures, and, beginning with the youngest, he asked them what it meant. Each gave his opinion as he was able. But to each one the… Read More ›
Stories
(Written 10/30/14) Callistus is a very gifted man. He loves people and they love him back. He is very good with groups and he has enriched the community by his presence here and his creative approach to how we relate to the community around us. Yesterday he called me while here in the retreat house… Read More ›
What Kind of Astronomical Marvel was the Star of Bethlehem?
And was it even a star? A biblical scholar investigates the mysterious object that guided the Magi to Jesus. Generations of Christians have helped ring in the Christmas season by singing John Henry Hopkins Jr.’s 1857 carol, “We Three Kings,” with its evocative chorus: Star of wonder, star of night Star with royal beauty bright… Read More ›
What can we learn from St. Jerome?
What can we learn from St Jerome? It seems to me, this above all; to love the Word of God in Sacred Scripture. St Jerome said: “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ”. It is therefore important that every Christian live in contact and in personal dialogue with the Word of God given to… Read More ›
Speak a word; how are we to be saved?
The brethren came to the Abba Anthony and said to him, ‘Speak a word; how are we to be saved?’ The old man said to them, ‘You have heard the Scriptures. That should teach you how.’ But they said, ‘We want to hear from you too, Father.’ Then the old man said to them, ‘The… Read More ›
Stretch (prt 3)
The letters in the New Testament were written to deal with certain problems within the different communities of the early church, yet people insist that if it is not in the scriptures then it can’t be part of Christianity. So for many, the sacraments are thrown out and each is left to their own devices… Read More ›
Stretch (prt 2)
If Christ came to save, why do many insist on believing that God created an economy of salvation, in which the greatest possible numbers of people are lost, merely because they had the bad luck in being born in a place where they would not hear the Gospel? Or even more common, the message made… Read More ›
Six Great Mysteries of the Bible
The Old Testament answers some of the greatest questions of all time—where did we come from? Why do we desire the good yet do evil? Why do our souls yearn for eternity while our bodies yield to death and decay? Yet, the Hebrew Scriptures leave so many other tantalizing questions unanswered. These mysteries have nagged… Read More ›