The Word of the Lord: Reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings for Year A

by John Bergsma

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 Reflections on the Sunday Mass Readings for Year A, biblical scholar Dr. John Bergsma provides commentary on each Sunday’s unique presentation of readings.

Whether you are a homilist seeking insight into the meaning of difficult scriptural passages or a pew 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

Readings for the Season of AdventReadings for the Season of ChristmasReadings for the Season of LentReadings for the Season of EasterReadings for the Season of Ordinary TimeReadings for Solemnities of the Lord in Ordinary Time

Genres: Catholic, Religion

633 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 24, 2022

About the author

Dr. John Bergsma is Associate Professor of Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, in Steubenville, Ohio. He holds the M.Div. and Th.M. degrees from Calvin Seminary, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and served as a Protestant pastor for four years before entering the Catholic Church in 2001 while pursuing a Ph.D. in Theology from the University of Notre Dame. He specialized in the Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls, graduating with high honors in 2004. His major study of the interpretation of the Year of Jubilee in ancient times is published as The Jubilee from Leviticus to Qumran (Brill Academic, 2007). Dr. Bergsma’s articles, some co-authored with Dr. Scott Hahn, have appeared in several academic journals as well as Lay Witness, the magazine of Catholics United for the Faith. He has appeared as a guest on EWTN’s The Journey Home, Franciscan University Presents, and Relevant Radio’s Drew Mariani Show. Twice voted Faculty of the Year by graduating classes of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Dr. Bergsma is a popular teacher who inspires his students with a love of Scripture. He and his wife Dawn reside with their eight children in Steubenville, Ohio.


Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Theology - University of Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Indiana)
Master of Theology (Th.M.) - Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Master of Divinity (M.Div.) - Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Classical Languages - Calvin Theological Seminary (Grand Rapids, Michigan)

Reviews

[Julie Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series delights me by focusing on the readings from a deep connection to scripture that isn't held specifically to the excerpts that the liturgy is using. Bergsma's background as a Biblical scholar comes to the fore in identifying unifying motifs and intriguing connections that you don't see a lot of the time. I splurged on it and it is truly wonderful for anyone who loves Bible study and the Sunday Mass liturgy.

Each book has been published as a new Church year begins and these reflections for Year A complete the series.

The Solemnities and Feasts book (red cover) supplements Bergsma's commentaries on the Sunday readings for years A, B, and C. There are a number of important days that aren't regular Sunday Mass days — such as Christmas or Ash Wednesday! Nonetheless we gain a lot from having commentary on the readings. This book fills that need.

It's my favorite commentary for Sundays.

[booklady]

Thanks Julie for the recommendation!

[Richard Grebenc · Rating 5 out of 5]

I made it through the entire year with the happy companionship of Dr. Bergsma. This volume very much enhances one's appreciation of the weekend readings by providing exegetical and spiritual insights. This should be on every homilist's bookshelf, to be sure, but all Christians, especially those who follow the lectionary in their Masses/services would be blessed to have this resource.

Additionally, subscribing to the Word of the Lord podcast on the St. Paul Center allows the author to delve deeper in discussion with other erudite Catholics.

I was more than a bit surprised, though, that the author occasionally uses contemporary examples in some of his explanations and examples. Fine for now, but this will make some parts of this work dated in years to come. And this book is meant for decades of use (assuming the lectionary does not change substantially). This takes nearly nothing away from this fine effort that will bless many for the foreseeable future.

On to Year B!

[Jane Tennyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great commentary

This is one book of a series on the gospel readings for the 3 cycles of readings in the Catholic Church liturgy. The synopsis is always well done and ties the readings together for the average person to understand. They are a great way to prayerfully prepare for Mass each week and holy days.

[Susan Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to prepare for the readings at Mass