Author mattlselby

First Reading: Wisdom 7:7-11 Reflection: The author of the book of Wisdom claims to be the famous King Solomon, but scholars agree that this ascription is literary fiction. The book, rather, was written centuries after Solomon’s life by an unknown Jew…. Continue Reading →

First Reading: Genesis 2:18-24 Reflection: In this Sunday’s first reading we hear of the creation of the first woman, Eve. There are fundamental truths to learn from this passage. God created Adam after he created all of the rest of the… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Numbers 11:25-29 Reflection: Moses was the leader of the Israelites during the time of the Exodus. After the Israelites had left Egypt and received the law at Mt. Sinai, while they were in the wilderness, the Lord directed Moses… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20 Reflection: This Sunday’s Old Testament reading should immediately bring to mind the Passion of Jesus. This prophecy was likely written within one hundred years before Jesus died on the cross and it is clearly fulfilled in… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Isaiah 50:5-9A Reflection: This passage from Isaiah should immediately bring to mind the crucifixion of Jesus. Although written hundreds of years before Jesus died on the cross, the Prophet Isaiah spoke from the perspective of a suffering servant. The… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Isaiah 35:4-7A Reflection: The words of the Prophet Isaiah were written in a challenging time for the People of Israel. The kingdom was divided and the people faced threats from other nations. In the midst of the tribulations, God… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-8 Reflection: This Sunday’s first reading speaks of the time after the Exodus when the Israelites were in the wilderness. Moses was preparing them for their eventual entrance into the Promised Land. God had already revealed the… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Joshua 24:1-2A, 15-17, 18B Reflection: Joshua was the leader of the Israelites after Moses. He led them into the Promised Land and through the conquest of it. This Sunday’s first reading comes from the end of the book of… Continue Reading →

First Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6 Reflection: The book of Proverbs is one of multiple wisdom texts in the Old Testament, also including Sirach, Ecclesiastes, Wisdom of Solomon, and more. In each of these texts, readers are exhorted to live wisely. In… Continue Reading →

First Reading: 1 Kings 19:4-8 Reflection: The Prophet Elijah was one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament. He lived during a tumultuous time in Israel’s history. The nation was divided and many of the people, including the leaders, were… Continue Reading →