Explore every episode of the podcast Sunday Best Bible Study

Last will be First and First will be Last

Sunday's liturgy of the Word invites us to reflect on the human desire for recognition and praise - the affirmation of our accomplishments, value and importance that we so often seek from others.  

Get the readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092026.cfm

Mercy without borders: Do we want to live as free persons?

Then we need to internalize the peace and mercy we received from the Lord, and be always ready to offer them to others. Freely we have received, freely do we give.

Download the Sunday readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091326.cfm

"Owe nothing to anyone, except to love one another."

Believe it or not, we have infinite responsibility towards one another: to help each other become better persons, especially whenever some of us seem to be losing our way.

Get readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090626.cfm

Following What Comes From God's Spirit

Saints and heroes of faith are admired for fulfilling their mission, yet they too wrestled with doubt and temptation. Today's liturgy highlights this often overlooked struggle and how they endured it. 

Follow the readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/083026.cfm

But who do you say I am?

We try to explain God through our limited human senses, but today's readings remind us that his ways transcend our comprehension.

When our finite minds face infinite mystery, where do we go from here?  Come and discuss.

Get readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082326.cfm

Grace Without Borders:

Unity in Christ

Jesus' mission was for all people and not just the Israelites, inviting everyone to experience God's goodness.  Through Christ and baptism, ethnic, social and gender differences (Jews, Gentles, Canaanite) lose their dividing importance in the new creation. Come join the family gathering. 

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081626.cfm

Fragility 

The readings for this Sunday present three important biblical figures in moments of great fragility and vulnerability - moments that could have easily prevented them from carrying out their mission.But they turned to God and God opened his arms to them.  

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080926.cfm

Nourishment for the Soul

The most unlikely place to have a good meal is the desert. Yet five thousand men had a real good time in the very place where hunger once stared at their faces.  The impossible became possible because of Jesus.  Come find out how this is possible.

Sunday readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/080226.cfm

What do you Treasure?

For us Christians, these are found in those everyday activities and decisions that reflect our commitment to live out our identity as God's children.  Do you understand all these things?  If not, come join us.  

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072626.cfm

Growing through the Word

How can a person continue to grow in their knowledge of God and advance in the Christian way of life?  The readings show it is possible through a focus on God's words.  Come join us to receive the Grace of this Sunday's Word!

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/071226.cfm

Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. 
The quest for world peace has sadly never been successful.  Just look at the war in the Middle East and Ukraine.  Today's liturgy gives us directions on how a Chistian can find and experience God's peace in the midst of a troubled world.  

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070526.cfm

Fruits of Hospitality

This Sunday's readings share a common theme - hospitality - and they elaborate on the fruits produced by the acts of openness and welcoming towards others.  

Welcome home.  Please join us!  

Get the Sunday readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062826.cfm

Do not be afraid.

What troubles you?  The readings this Sunday deal with the anxieties and challenges the faithful face in life.  Do not be afraid, we boost our suffering because it helps us to endure and to have hope.  Come join your family.  

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062126.cfm

A priestly kingdom and a holy nation.

The longing to belong is innate and is in everyone.  Unfortunately, in this search, some end up in messy situations.  God created us and he longs to gather us into one flock, "a priestly kingdom and a holy nation".

Come and gather!   

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061426.cfm

This is my body, which will be given up for you.

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. We receive it weekly and may even take it for granted this gift which will bring us eternal salvation.  Be Mary this coming Sunday and put aside your busyness and rekindle what this greatest gift truly means.  

Download readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060726.cfm

The Most Holy Trinity

The  Holy Trinity - the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. share with us love and grace, and invite us to  communion with him and with others.

May every sign of a cross deepen our faith in unconditional love of God who so loved the world that he gave his only Son. 

Download readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/053126.cfm

The Voice, the Blood and the Life

The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples aka Pentecost marks the beginning of the church and its expansion.  The feast's rich readings employ the images of the voice, blood and life to describe the central role of the Holy Spirit in the life of this new community of faith. Let the Holy Spirit bring you: Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and fear of the Lord.  

Readings of Pentecost Sunday - Mass During the Day

May the Lord open the eyes of our hearts so that we may know what is the hope that belongs to our call.

Download readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051726-Ascension

Spiritual Resurrection

The Easter season readings emphasize that Jesus' resurrection provides meaning and direction for believers' lives; especially for our hearts. 
There's also attention to the Holy Spirit as this Sunday's liturgy also begins to prepare us for the concluding celebration of the Easter season, Pentecost. 

Download readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051026.cfm

Tension

Halfway through the Easter season, the liturgy addresses the issue of tension within an individual Christian and the community  Whilst the resurrection of Jesus charged everything, tension and conflict remain which can weaken faith and undermine the commitment to living life in the light.

Download readings -> https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050326.cfm

Opening heaven's gate on this good shepherd Sunday.

The readings of this Sunday of Easter make it clear that Jesus is the direct access to God.  Through the paschal mystery, he restored our loving relationship so we can follow our Lord as his sheeps.In verdant pastures he gives me repose, besides restful water he leads me; he refreshes my soul. 

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042626.cfm

The resurrection, not quite what you expected.  

The 3rd Sunday of Easter continues to focus on the resurrection, and how it changes people's hopes and expectations for the future. Will you recognize the resurrected Christ if he was right beside you?

Download readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041926.cfm

Sunday of Divine Mercy: when God in his great mercy, poured out to us all the grace of new life in his Son, our Risen Lord Jesus. May we treasure this precious gift of faith, hope and love and let its power be felt in our lives.

Find readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041226.cfm

Author if Life.

In the deep of the Lenten season the readings inevitably lead to the question of life and death.   It is amazing the readings tell us death will not have the final say but God.  Come and listen to this message of hope.  

Get readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032226.cfm

Rejoice on Laetare Sunday. 

Help us to see you God! We are halfway through Lent.  God guides us this week to see as he does with humbleness and compassion.  Come and find water from which you will never thirst and sight which will allow you to see our Savior! 

Download Readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031526.cfm 

Thirst.

This Sunday's readings feature images of thirst and water which draws attention to what is necessary for life beyond bodily experience.  Come and be quenched.

Get Sunday's reading here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030826.cfm

Listen to him, this is my beloved Son.

1st Sunday of lent focuses on getting back to the spiritual basics to order ourselves back to Christ.  The 2nd Sunday asks us to listen and be transformed.  It will help us in our journey of evangelization.  Come and be encouraged. 

Get the Sunday readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/022826.cfm

Salting the earth with the Ten commandments

Last Sunday's readings focus on the need to bring God's salt and light to others.  The coming Sunday, we learn how to transform ourselves by following God's laws for us with our heart and the guidance of the holy spirit.  

Download readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/021526.cfm

Salting the earth

Last Sunday's liturgy reflects on the tension that arises between God's ways and society's ways. This Sunday's liturgy continues to focus on discipleship emphasising that the life of the faithful is key to transforming human society in accordance with God's will.  

Be the salt and light of Christ.  

Readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020826.cfm

Blessed are the poor in spirit.

The Gospel according to Matthew discourse starts with the eight gifts of the attitudes or the Beatitudes we should live by to lead us to eternal life.  God is looking for you because he cares for you.  Come join us to answer his calling to you. 

Download readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/020126.cfm

Healing Divisions on the Sunday of the Word of God.

The 3rd Sunday in Ordinary time is devoted to the celebration, study, and the dissemination of the word of God.  We are encouraged to strengthen our bonds with the Jewish people and to pray for Christian unity.  For those who listen, the path to authentic and firm unity is theirs.  

Download readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/012526.cfm

Fuel for your journey

The liturgy of the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time focuses on the theme of reassurance.  We hear God reassuring his people about his presence and closeness in words.  God knows us from our mother's womb.  

Get the readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011826.cfm

Fulfilling God's master plan.

The baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of his mission of salvation.  God has already set this in motion in the past and Jesus will complete this fulfilling his master plan for us.  You are invited to come and discover.  

Follow the readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/011126.cfm

Epiphany means the manifestation or revelation of the Lord to all peoples. But it involves a long process of searching.

Perhaps we can also ask ourselves: "What do we long for so much that we would search heaven and earth to find it?"

Get the readings here - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/010426.cfm

Rejoice for the Lord comes to save us!

We don't immediately perceive the Lord's saving works in our world, hence we are invited to be PATIENT. He is present and he will act in his own good time.

Get readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/121425.cfm

Repent and be renewed by the holy spirit. 

Building on last Sunday's message of waiting and being prepared, the readings for the second Sunday of advent focuses on the theme of renewal and being reconciled with God to build a kingdom of harmony. 

Come home, God is waiting for you! 

Get the Sunday readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120725.cfm

Our journey to the house of the Lord.  Advent is a time of preparation very much like Lent in preparation for the ultimate joy.  The first sunday of Advent meets this goal by identifying the goal of human existence - the final union with God.  Our journey to the "house of the Lord"

Get the readings here : https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm

"Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." May this be our constant prayer as we try to deepen our following of Jesus, the King of the Universe.

Download readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112325.cfm

We are nearing the close of the Liturgical Year hence our readings are all pointing to the 'end times' but we know too that 'the end leads to a new beginning.' How do we prepare for this transition time that is before us?

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/111625.cfm

Temple of God

When we think of temples, we often think of our parish church, St Peters, or the Lateran Basilica of the Popes church.

In fact, our body is also a temple of God. How do we reserve and keep this space sacred for God? Come join us to discuss.

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/110925.cfm

Who do you reply upon especially when the going gets tough?The decisions we make largely depend on what we choose to reply upon.  Sunday's readings present examples of contrasting choices regarding reliance and what constitutes the right choice.  

Faith and gratitude go together. "Returning to the Lord" to say thanks for every grace received is a way of deepening our faith relationship and intimacy with him. 

Faith moves mountains but will it move your heart? Faith has many expressions and definitions. 

This Sunday's liturgy teaches that true faith has one fundamental feature: that it must be lived out.

Come let's live out our faith together. 

The Lord puts us side by side, the rich and the poor, to be a blessing to each other.

Let us not miss this graced moment.

Find the 26th Sunday readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092825.cfm

The road to happiness.

Concerns for the future are perhaps the first thing on our minds when we wake up.  How can I complete my tasks; how to deal with my angry manager or staff; how do I pay for my rent and or groceries.  

Sunday's readings offer us some practical answers to how to live worrying less and to live more.  Come join us and share your thoughts too. 

Get the readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/092125.cfm

The beauty of the cross and our belief. 

What does the cross mean to you? What do you believe in? Is your belief just strict adherence to the thick theological doctrine? A warm feeling in the heart? Come find out.  Infinite love awaits you.   

Download the readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/091425.cfm

The way to everlasting happiness.

Who does not want it but now how to achieve it?  This quest dominates Sunday's readings.  The book of wisdom helps us to answer this question. 

Come find out!  

Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/090725.cfm

Lord, grant us the grace to recognize that everything is 'gift' and that by ourselves, there is really nothing we can be proud of.

Christ invites us to 'enter the narrow' door, which is not a 'passage that entails following rites and rituals.' He rather invites us to a way of life that involves growth in our relationship with a loving and merciful God who wants all to be saved.

Follow the readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/082425.cfm

Lord, I am weak, come to my aid.

Sunday's readings present examples of divisions caused by the presence of God in society.  In faith, we are asked to choose: the division from sin and alignment to faith.  It is not easy but the Lord and all the saints are here to help us.  Heaven is our reward.   

Link to the Sunday readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/081725.cfm