Today’s Readings – Friday of Week 18 of Ordinary Time - First Reading

Commentary on Nahum 2:1,3; 3:1-3,6-7

Today we have a single reading from the very short Book of Nahum (just three chapters). Nahum is one of the so-called ‘minor’ prophets, as opposed to ‘major’ prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel.

Nahum made his prophecy just before the fall of the Assyrian capital of Niniveh in 612 BC. His joy over the city’s and the empire’s downfall is understandable when one considers the savage cruelty for which it was notorious over nearly three centuries. Rightly he calls it a “city of bloodshed".

Today’s reading speaks of the imminent collapse of Niniveh, overthrown by the new juggernaut—Babylon. It is a triumphant song of joy over the fall of a great city (remember how the Book of Jonah said it … Continue

Yesterday’s Readings – The Transfiguration of the Lord

(Note: The Transfiguration of the Lord commemorates an event in the life of Jesus as recorded by the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. It is not recorded in John’s Gospel. It is also referred to in the Second Letter of Peter, which is used as an alternate weekday reading or as … Continue