The Catholic Lectionary guides us through the liturgical year, presenting Old and New Testament readings that together reveal God’s unfolding plan for our salvation. In The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings for Year C, biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma provides commentary alongside each Sunday’s readings.

Whether you are a homilist seeking insight into the meaning of difficult scriptural passages or a Catholic desiring a deepened understanding of the readings you hear at Mass, The Word of the Lord serves as an invaluable guide.

This volume includes commentaries for:

• Readings for the Season of Advent
• Readings for the Season of Christmas
• Readings for the Season of Lent
• Readings for the Season of Easter
• Readings for the Season of Ordinary Time
• Readings for Solemnities of the Lord in Ordinary Time

John Bergsma is Professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. A former Protestant pastor, Dr. Bergsma has authored several books on Scripture and the Catholic faith, including Jesus and the Dead Sea Scrolls: Revealing the Jewish Roots of the Church and A Catholic Introduction to the Bible: Old Testament with Brant Pitre. Dr. Bergsma speaks regularly for parish missions, diocesan conferences, clergy convocations, and other events nationally and internationally. He and his wife Dawn reside with their eight children in Steubenville, Ohio.

Series Description

The Lectionary guides our reading of Scripture through the liturgical year, presenting Old and New Testament readings that together reveal God’s unfolding plan for our salvation. In The Word of the Lord series, biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma provides commentary on each Sunday’s selection of readings. Whether you are a homilist seeking insight into the meaning of difficult scriptural passages or a Catholic desiring a deepened understanding of the readings you hear at Mass, The Word of the Lord series is an invaluable guide.

Endorsements

“Over the past several years, many priests have found in John Bergsma’s Scripture commentaries a great resource both for their own prayer and for Sunday homilies. Now we have his cogent, scholarly, and timely reflections on the Sunday readings gathered together in one book for a liturgical year. This volume will benefit both priests and laity alike in preparing for and getting the most out of Sunday’s sacred text. May it be the first of many!”

Very Rev. Paul D. Scalia
Episcopal Vicar for Clergy, Diocese of Arlington