ROMAN CATHOLIC BIBLE Study:
Mass Notes is a free weekly publication designed to help you obtain the maximum spiritual value of the weekly Sunday Mass readings. Readers can subscribe to the free weekly email or simply read it here online.
BENEFITS OF READING THE SUNDAY MASS STUDY NOTES:
- Helps you to gain a much fuller understanding of the Sunday Mass readings.
- Provides a means for you to come to Mass much better prepared to hear and understand the readings and homily.
- Makes it easy for you to do your own personal Bible study each week.
- Provides a forum for you to talk to other Roman Catholics studying the Bible (just visit the Facebook Page).
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READ AND STUDY THE CATHOLIC MASS READINGS BEFORE YOU GO TO MASS THIS WEEK:
The Sunday Mass Study Notes are a detailed study of the Catholic Mass readings which go much deeper than is possible for the limited time available for the weekly homily. To get the most out of this Bible study we recommend that you print out and then work through the weekly edition before you go to Mass or watch it on TV. It’s important to prepare for Mass as there is no way the priest can cover the Sunday Mass readings in the level of depth that you need to continue to growth in your faith.
Are you searching for the Sunday Catholic Mass readings for 2017 but did not look to the USCCB web site listing Catholic prayers, holy Scriptures for Sunday, the homily of the Mass, or other information on the Catholic Mass readings of the day? You have found the right place. Each week we produce a thorough study of the daily Mass reading for Sunday. We include the Catholic Bible verses you will be hearing in Mass that particular Sunday, including links to the USCCB United States Conference of Catholic Bishops online Bible readings for the Sunday Mass. Would you like like to improve your prayer life, and truly understand the daily Scripture readings that follow on the liturgical calendar? Then the Sunday Mass Study Notes are for you. These are a way to read and understand the daily Catholic Mass readings for the Sunday Mass. Take a look at some of the sample that are posted below. See if you agree that these increase your prayer life and understanding of the Catholic Mass, not just the Christmas Mass, Palm Sunday Mass or Easter Mass, but each week on the USCCB liturgical calendar.
TAKE A Peek Inside:
Here is an excerpt from a recent edition:
Introduction to the First Reading:
The first reading is from the Prophet Ezekiel Chapter 37. Here Ezekiel was given a prophecy concerning the future restoration of the Nation of Israel. This was one of a series of visions that God gave to Ezekiel the night before the messenger came to him with the news that Jerusalem had been destroyed (Ezekiel 21). Later in the Gospel lesson, we will see how Jesus made a tiny down payment on this promised restoration of Israel through the raising of Lazarus. As we study the text, it’s important to be diligent to distinguish between God’s promises to Israel versus those made to the people of God as a whole. Saint Paul explains God’s future plan for Israel in Romans Chapter 11. It’s also important to recognize how portions of the prophecy have already been fulfilled by the time we are reading this versus what is yet to be fulfilled – through both Israel and the Church. Though the Gentiles have been “ingrafted” into God’s kingdom (Romans 11:17), they are distinct from His Chosen People the Jews. Read the text, noting that we included the first eleven verses for context, as our readers note that we are prone to doing!
First Reading:
1 The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me down in the middle of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 He caused me to pass among them round about, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley; and lo, they were very dry. 3 He said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Lord GOD, You know.” 4 Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.’ 5 “Thus says the Lord GOD to these bones, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. 6 ‘I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am the LORD.'” 7 So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and behold, a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, sinews were on them, and flesh grew and skin covered them; but there was no breath in them. 9 Then He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they come to life.”‘” 10 So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they came to life and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. 11 Then He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel; behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up and our hope has perished. We are completely cut off.’ 12 “Therefore prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD, “Behold, I will open your graves and cause you to come up out of your graves, My people; and I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 “Then you will know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves and caused you to come up out of your graves, My people. 14 “I will put My Spirit within you and you will come to life, and I will place you on your own land. Then you will know that I, the LORD, have spoken and done it,” declares the LORD.'” (Ezekiel 37:1-14)
God promised to restore the spiritually dead Israel to life through the sending of His Holy Spirit (v.14). We can say that this prophecy was at least partially fulfilled during several different events, but the final fulfillment will not happen until Daniel’s fortieth Week during the end times. First, it was partially fulfilled during the times of the Old Testament when the Jews returned from exile in Babylon and rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. Second, the prophecy was partially fulfilled when Jesus Himself entered the temple (Mark 11:15). Third, the prophecy was partially fulfilled after Jesus’ death and immediate entrance into heaven. We read from the Gospel of Saint Matthew:
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT SUNDAY MASS STUDY NOTES:
My mother, who is an avid reader of Mass Notes, sent me this comment regarding a past issue:
Hi, I enjoyed the notes for this week. Very insightful more than what the priest had to say today. I am also doing the study of Paul at (. . . ). It is very interesting to learn of all the Jewish laws. Do you think the Pharisees were more interested in outward appearance than what was in the heart specifically, how they posted the law over the door? It must have been a total transformation for Paul who was raised in such a strict home. Thanks, Mom.