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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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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.
How We Imitate the Israelites - 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/ Toribio De Mogrovejo, Bishop 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: 31-47Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 23 2023
11mins
The Mission of the Messiah - Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent by Dr. John Bergsma.
Lenten Weekday First Reading: Isaiah 49: 8-15 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 145: 8-9, 13cd-14, 17-18 Verse Before the Gospel: John 11: 25a, 26 Gospel: John 5: 17-30Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 22 2023
12mins
The Way God Works on the Sabbath - Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent by Dr. Shane Owens.
Lenten Weekday First Reading: Ezekiel 47: 1-9, 12 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9 Verse Before the Gospel: Psalms 51: 12a, 14a Gospel: John 5: 1-16Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 21 2023
13mins
How God Qualifies Us - The Solemnity of St. Joseph
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for the Solemnity of St. Joseph by Dr. Scott Hahn.
Joseph, Husband of Mary Solemnity First Reading: Second Samuel 7: 4-5a, 12-14a, 16 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 89: 2-3, 4-5, 27 and 29 Second Reading: Romans 4: 13, 16-18, 22 Verse Before the Gospel: Psalms 84: 5 Gospel: Matthew 1: 16, 18-21, 24 or Luke 2: 41-51aLearn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 20 2023
14mins
Eyesight to the Blind: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Fourth Sunday of Lent
Readings: 1 Samuel 16:1, 6–7, 10–13 Psalm 23:1–6 Ephesians 5:8–14 John 9:1–41
God’s ways of seeing are not our ways, we hear in today’s First Reading. Jesus illustrates this in the Gospel as the blind man comes to see and the Pharisees are made blind.
The blind man stands for all humanity. “Born totally in sin,” he is made a new creation by the saving power of Christ.
As God fashioned the first man from the clay of the earth (see Genesis 2:7), Jesus gives the blind man new life by anointing his eyes with clay (see John 9:11). As God breathed the spirit of life into the first man, the blind man is not healed until he washes in the waters of Siloam, a name that means “Sent.”
Jesus is the One “sent” by the Father to do the Father’s will (see John 9:4; 12:44). He is the new source of life-giving water: the Holy Spirit who rushes upon us in Baptism (see John 4:10; 7:38–39).
This is the Spirit that rushes upon God’s chosen king David in today’s First Reading. A shepherd like Moses before him (see Exodus 3:1; Psalm 78:70–71), David is also a sign pointing to the good shepherd and king to come—Jesus (see John 10:11).
The Lord is our shepherd, as we sing in today’s Psalm. By His death and Resurrection He has made a path for us through the dark valley of sin and death, leading us to the verdant pastures of the kingdom of life, the Church.
In the restful waters of Baptism He has refreshed our souls. He has anointed our heads with the oil of Confirmation and spread the Eucharistic table before us, filling our cups to overflowing. With the once-blind man we enter His house to give God the praise, to renew our vow: “I do believe, Lord.”
“The Lord looks into the heart,” we hear today. Let Him find us, as Paul advises in today’s Epistle, living as “children of light,” trying always to learn what is pleasing to our Father.
Mar 18 2023
3mins
The Pruning Love of God - Saturday of the Third Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Third Week of Lent by Mr. Clement Harrold.
Lenten Weekday/ Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Doctor First Reading: Hosea 6: 1-6 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 51: 3-4, 18-19, 20-21ab Verse Before the Gospel: Psalms 95: 8 Gospel: Luke 18: 9-14Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 18 2023
10mins
How God's Law is About Love - Friday of the Third Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Third Week of Lent by Dr. John Bergsma.
Lenten Weekday/ Patrick, Bishop, Missionary, Day of Abstinence from Meat (Age 14 and Up) First Reading: Hosea 14: 2-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 81: 6c-8a, 8bc-9, 10-11ab, 14 and 17 Verse Before the Gospel: Matthew 4: 17 Gospel: Mark 12: 28-34Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 17 2023
10mins
The Hardness of Our Hearts - Thursday of the Third Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Third Week of Lent by Ms. Joan Watson.
Lenten Weekday First Reading: Jeremiah 7: 23-28 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 95: 1-2, 6-7, 8-9 Verse Before the Gospel: Joel 2: 12-13 Gospel: Luke 11: 14-23Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 16 2023
8mins
How Lawlessness Leads to Death - Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Third Week of Lent by Dr. John Bergsma.
Lenten Weekday First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1, 5-9 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 147: 12-13, 15-16, 19-20 Verse Before the Gospel: John 6: 63c, 68c Gospel: Matthew 5: 17-19Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 15 2023
10mins
The Better Sacrifice - Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Third Week of Lent by Dr. Shane Owens.
Lenten Weekday First Reading: Daniel 3: 25, 34-43 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 25: 4-5ab, 6 and 7bc, 8-9 Verse Before the Gospel: Joel 2: 12-13 Gospel: Matthew 18: 21-35Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 14 2023
15mins
Why Seven? - Monday of the Third Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Third Week of Lent by Dr. Scott Hahn.
Lenten Weekday First Reading: Second Kings 5: 1-15 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 42: 2, 3; 43: 3, 4 Verse Before the Gospel: Psalms 130: 5, 7 Gospel: Luke 4: 24-30Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 13 2023
12mins
Golpeando la Roca: Scott Hahn reflexiona sobre el 3º Domingo de Cuaresma
Lecturas: Éxodo 17,3–7 Salmo 95,1–2.6–9 Romanos 5,1–2.5–8 Juan 4,5–15.19–26.39–42
Los corazones de los israelitas fueron endurecidos por las pruebas en el desierto.
Aunque habían visto las proezas de Dios, cuando estaban sedientos murmuraron contra Él y lo pusieron a prueba, según nos dice la primera lectura de hoy. El salmo recuerda también ese momento de crisis.
También Jesús tiene sed en el Evangelio de hoy. Está sediento de almas (cf. Jn 19,28). Anhela dar a la samaritana las aguas vivas que brotan hasta la vida eterna.
Esas aguas no podían sacarse del pozo de Jacob, padre de los israelitas y también de los samaritanos. Pero Jesús es mayor que Jacob (cf. Lc 11,31–32).
Los samaritanos eran israelitas que escaparon del exilio cuando Asiría conquistó el Reino del Norte, ocho siglos antes de Cristo (cf. 2R 17,6; 24–41). Fueron despreciados por casarse con no-israelitas y por rendir culto en el monte Garizim, no en Jerusalén.
Pero Jesús le dice a la mujer que ha llegado “la hora” del auténtico culto, cuando todos adorarán a Dios en Espíritu y en verdad.
La “hora” de Jesús es el “tiempo señalado” del que San Pablo habla en la Epístola de hoy. Es la hora en la que la Roca de nuestra salvación fue golpeada en la Cruz. Herida por la lanza del soldado, de nuestra Roca brotaron aguas vivas (cf. Jn 19,34–37).
Esa agua es el Espíritu Santo (cf. Jn 7,38–39), don de Dios (cf. Hb 6,4).
Por las aguas vivas, se ha lavado la antigua enemistad entre samaritanos y judíos; se ha derrumbado la muralla entre Israel y las naciones (cf. Ef 2,12–14.18). Desde la llegada de la hora del Señor, todos pueden beber del Espíritu en el bautismo (cf. 1 Co 12,13).
En esta Eucaristía el Señor está en medio de nosotros, como lo estaba en la roca del Horeb y en el pozo de Jacob.
En el “hoy” de nuestra liturgia, nos llama a creer que Él es Aquel que ha venido a derramar el amor de Dios en nuestros corazones por medio del Espíritu Santo. ¿Cómo podemos seguir rindiendo culto como si no entendiéramos esto?¿Cómo podemos seguir con nuestros corazones endurecidos?
Mar 11 2023
3mins
Striking the Rock: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Third Sunday of Lent
Readings: Exodus 17:3–7 Psalm 95:1–2, 6–9 Romans 5:1–2, 5–8 John 4:5–15, 19–26, 39–42
The Israelites’ hearts were hardened by their hardships in the desert.
Though they saw His mighty deeds, in their thirst they grumble and put God to the test in today’s First Reading—a crisis point recalled also in today’s Psalm.
Jesus is thirsty, too in today’s Gospel. He thirsts for souls (see John 19:28). He longs to give the Samaritan woman the living waters that well up to eternal life.
These waters couldn’t be drawn from the well of Jacob, father of the Israelites and the Samaritans. But Jesus was something greater than Jacob (see Luke 11:31–32).
The Samaritans were Israelites who escaped exile when Assyria conquered the Northern Kingdom eight centuries before Christ (see 2 Kings 17:6, 24–41). They were despised for intermarrying with non-Israelites and worshipping at Mount Gerazim, not Jerusalem.
But Jesus tells the woman that the “hour” of true worship is coming, when all will worship God in Spirit and truth.
Jesus’ “hour” is the “appointed time” that Paul speaks of in today’s Epistle. It is the hour when the Rock of our salvation was struck on the Cross. Struck by the soldier’s lance, living waters flowed out from our Rock (see John 19:34–37).
These waters are the Holy Spirit (see John 7:38–39), the gift of God (see Hebrews 6:4).
By the living waters the ancient enmities of Samaritans and Jews have been washed away, the dividing wall between Israel and the nations is broken down (see Ephesians 2:12–14,18). Since His hour, all may drink of the Spirit in Baptism (see 1 Corinthians 12:13).
In the Eucharist, the Lord now is in our midst—as He was at the Rock of Horeb and at the well of Jacob.
In the “today” of our Liturgy, He calls us to believe: “I am He,” come to pour out the love of God into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. How can we continue to worship as if we don’t understand? How can our hearts remain hardened?
Mar 11 2023
3mins
The Power of God's Forgiveness - Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Saturday of the Second Week of Lent by Mr. Clement Harrold.
Lenten Weekday First Reading: Micah 7: 14-15, 18-20 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 103: 1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12 Verse Before the Gospel: Luke 15: 18 Gospel: Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 11 2023
10mins
How Envy Is the Root of Betrayal - Friday of the Second Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Friday of the Second Week of Lent by Dr. John Bergsma.
Lenten Weekday, Day of Abstinence from Meat (Age 14 and Up) First Reading: Genesis 37: 3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 105: 16-17, 18-19, 20-21 Verse Before the Gospel: John 3: 16 Gospel: Matthew 21: 33-43, 45-46Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 10 2023
15mins
**BONUS EPISODE** Major Announcement From the St. Paul Center
Join the roundtable discussion with Dr. Scott Hahn, Mrs. Kimberly Hahn, Dr. John Bergsma, and Mr. Rob Corzine about the recent news from the St. Paul Center.
Mar 09 2023
41mins
Why Holiness Isn't Based On Salary - Thursday of the Second Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Thursday of the Second Week of Lent by Ms. Joan Watson.
Lenten Weekday/ Frances of Rome, Married Woman, Religious Founder First Reading: Jeremiah 17: 5-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 1: 1-2, 3, 4 and 6 Verse Before the Gospel: Luke 8: 15 Gospel: Luke 16: 19-31Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 09 2023
9mins
Why Being Christian Doesn't Mean an Easy Life - Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent by Dr. John Bergsma.
Lenten Weekday/ John of God, Religious Founder First Reading: Jeremiah 18: 18-20 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 31: 5-6, 14, 15-16 Verse Before the Gospel: John 8: 12 Gospel: Matthew 20: 17-28Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 08 2023
13mins
What it Means to Hold Office - Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Tuesday of the Second Week of Lent by Dr. Shane Owens.
Lenten Weekday/ Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs First Reading: Isaiah 1: 10, 16-20 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 50: 8-9, 16bc-17, 21 and 23 Verse Before the Gospel: Ezekiel 18: 31 Gospel: Matthew 23: 1-12Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 07 2023
14mins
How Lent Liberates Us - Monday of the Second Week of Lent
The St. Paul Center's daily scripture reflections from the Mass for Monday of the Second Week of Lent by Dr. Scott Hahn.
Lenten Weekday First Reading: Daniel 9: 4b-10 Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 79: 8, 9, 11 and 13 Verse Before the Gospel: John 6: 63c, 68c Gospel: Luke 6: 36-38Learn more about the Mass at www.stpaulcenter.com
Mar 06 2023
15mins