Scriptures of Mercy - Father Adrian Graffy - The Love of God in the Old Testament

Scriptures of Mercy:

The Love of God in the Old Testament

Year of Mercy

Father Adrian Graffy 

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784691288

eISBN 9781784693084

ASIN B071WVZF9Q

CTS Booklet SC121

This is the third volume in the Year of Mercy Series that I have read. I believe there are 8 volumes in this series and that 6 of them are available as eBooks. I picked all the eBooks up as soon as I finished the first one. Over the last several years, I have read over 200 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. This is the fifth book I have read by father Adrian Graffy. It will not be my last. The description of the booklet is:

“Twelve famous Old Testament passages draw out the boundless mercy of God, thus revealing his true nature and challenging popular misconceptions about God and the Bible. From Adam and Eve, Joseph, the Exodus, Jonah, King David, and many others, to the cries of the Prophets, we are acquainted with this mercy time and time again. Pope Francis calls us to return to the scriptures and to divine mercy. This text is especially helpful to those who have limited knowledge of the scriptures and open up for them just how prominent the reality of God’s mercy is in the scriptures.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction

In the Beginning - the Mercy of God

Esau Embraces his Brother Jacob

Joseph Pardons his Brothers

God Sets the People Free

God the Merciful

David Pleads for Forgiveness

The Parental Compassion of God

A Call to Repentance

Jonah Struggles with God’s Mercy

The Eternal Covenant of God’s Mercy

Remember the Mercy of God

God, Lover of Life

With each booklet I read in this series I appreciate it more. This booklet, like the other two I have read in the series, can easily be read over a large mug of coffee or tea. But they are also books that could be returned to again and again. The ‘Year of Mercy’ might be well behind us, but its message is still an important one. In our lives and in the impact we can and should have upon the world around us. And this volume examining the 12 examples of Mercy from the Old testament is a wonderful read. I highlighted a few passages during my first reading of this volume, they are:

“The twelve readings in this booklet provide a wide variety of Old Testament passages which speak of God’s mercy, and the way this mercy is lived out by human beings. There are many other texts which might have been included. God’s mercy begins from the very beginning, and, as Psalm 136 (135) says, “it endures for ever”.”

“The opening chapters of the Book of Genesis, the first book of the Bible, are unique. They address fundamental questions. Through these ancient stories we learn about the goodness of God, the beauty of God’s creation, the place of human beings in it, and so much more. After two stories about God bringing the creation into existence, the man and his wife are in a garden. Everything is provided for their needs. Furthermore, they are given the uniquely human gift of free choice. The story teaches us that human beings can make the wrong choices, that we can choose what is not good, and that such choices have consequences.”

“• How often have you experienced goodness coming from an unexpected source? 

• Is there anyone you can surprise by offering them mercy, just as Esau did to Jacob?”

“As the story of the chosen people continues we are faced with another family crisis. Jacob has a favourite son called Joseph, son of his beloved wife Rachel, and he loves Joseph more than all his other sons. This Joseph is the recipient of the amazing coat with long sleeves. His brothers are jealous and kidnap Joseph, selling him into slavery in Egypt. When famine hits Canaan their homeland, the brothers go to Egypt to beg for food. They encounter a powerful government official who has charge of the food stores. He treats them with kindness. This official is none other than Joseph.”

And the one that had the biggest impact on me was:

“The mercy of God needs collaborators, and can be very persuasive when human beings are slow to respond to God’s call.”

Reading this volume I saw several of these OT events in a different light. Some I had previously thought of as God’s provision, but looking at them through the term of mercy I see them in a new light. And I know this will have an impact on my future readings in both the old and new testaments. 

This book is another excellent read in a great series. The Year of Mercy may be past, but we can all grow in our knowledge of Mercy and of living it out. This book and the series will help us do just that. This book was originally published in 2016 and the eBook released in 2017. It is an great little booklet. And I look forward to reading the others in the Year of Mercy Series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Year of Mercy Books:

Corporal Work of Mercy – Richard Atherton

Gospels of Mercy – Father Adrian Graffy

Mercy Works – Mark P. Shea

Mercy: The Greatest Gift – Barbara Reed Mason

Rich in Mercy – Pope Saint John Paul II

Scriptures of Mercy Father Adrian Graffy

Spiritual Works of Mercy – Paul Grogan

The Joy of Mercy – Pope Francis

…

Books by Father Adrian Graffy:

A Manual of Hebrew Poetics

Alive and Active: The Old Testament Beyond 2000

Discovering the New Testament

Discovering the Old Testament

Gospels of Mercy: 12 Steps to the Love of God

Scriptural Way of the Cross

Scripture of Mercy: The Love of God in the Old Testament

Trustworthy and True: The Gospels Beyond 2000

Twelve Steps to the Love of God

…

Gospels of Mercy - Father Adrian Graffy - 12 Steps to the Love of God

Gospels of Mercy: 12 Steps to the Love of God

Year of Mercy

Father Adrian Graffy

Catholic Truth Society

ISBN 9781784690953

eISBN 9781784693220

ASIN B072XQTRGK

CTS Booklet SC118

Over the last several years, I have read over 200 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. I have read several books that are part of the CTS Devotions and Prayer Series. I have read many in the CTS Biographies and also Saints of the Isles Series, and the Great Saints Series. This is the third volume I have read by Father Adrian Graffy and the first in the Year of Mercy Series. I believe there are 8 volumes in this series and that 6 of them are available as eBooks. I picked all the eBooks up as soon as I finished this volume. The description of the booklet is:

"Draw closer to God’s mercy with this guide to the Gospels of Mercy. Adrian Graffy takes us on a step by step journey to discovering Christ’s Mercy through the Scriptures. A selection of Gospels especially chosen for their theme of Mercy and which relate to Pope Francis’ intentions for the Year of Mercy appears alongside a thoughtful meditation. Great reading for the Year of Mercy which will help us consider and practise this part of the Christian faith.”

The chapters in this volume are:

Introduction

Good News to the Poor

Jesus calls Peter

The Challenge of Mercy

Forgiveness and Love

The Good Samaritan

The Barren Fig Tree

The Prodigal Son

The Pharisee and the Tax Collector

Zacchaeus Meets Jesus

Peter’s Denials and Reconciliation

Jesus Speaks from the Cross

Jesus Risen from the Dead Speaks to the Disciples

This booklet can easily be read over a large mug of coffee or tea. But it is also a book that could be returned to again and again. The ‘Year of Mercy’ might be well behind us, but its message is still an important one. In our lives and in the impact we can and should have upon the world around us. 

This is an excellent little read, and for me a great introduction to this series. This book was originally published in 2015 and the eBook released in 2017. It is an excellent little booklet. And I look forward to the others in the Year of Mercy Series.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Year of Mercy Books:

Corporal Work of Mercy – Richard Atherton

Gospels of Mercy – Father Adrian Graffy

Mercy Works – Mark P. Shea

Mercy: The Greatest Gift – Barbara Reed Mason

Rich in Mercy – Pope Saint John Paul II

Scriptures of Mercy Father Adrian Graffy

Spiritual Works of Mercy – Paul Grogan

The Joy of Mercy – Pope Francis

…

Books by Father Adrian Graffy:

A Manual of Hebrew Poetics

Alive and Active: The Old Testament Beyond 2000

Discovering the New Testament

Discovering the Old Testament

Gospels of Mercy: 12 Steps to the Love of God

Scriptural Way of the Cross

Scripture of Mercy: The Love of God in the Old Testament

Trustworthy and True: The Gospels Beyond 2000

Twelve Steps to the Love of God

…

Discovering the Old Testament - Father Adrian Graffy

Discovering the Old Testament

Father Adrian Graffy
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860829291

eISBN 9781784693381

ASIN B072XQY6ZZ

CTS Booklet SC113

 

This was the third volume from the pen of Father Adrian Graffy that I have read. I picked up this one and the companion volume Discovering the New Testament at the same time. And I can say both are great reads. The beginning of both books contains the same section called ‘Encouragement from Pope Francis’. Both Volumes were published in 2014 and the eBook editions released in 2017. Over the last few years I have read over 200 books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society. There have been many excellent reads including both of these volumes. For the last several months I have been listening to Father Mike Schmitz’s podcast The Bible In A Year, and these books have been great supplemental reading. The description of this volume is:

“Pope Francis urges Christians to be nourished by the Word of God. Fr Graffy gives an overview of all the books of the Old Testament, including the deutero-canonicals, and tackles common problems facing readers who can find the Old Testament difficult or troublesome. It is ideal for anyone wishing to understand and gain more from the Old Testament, whether from their own personal reading, or listening to the readings at Mass. It is a companion to Fr Graffy’s sister booklet ‘Discovering the New Testament’.”

And the chapters are:

The Books of the Old Testament

Encouragement from Pope Francis

Introduction

     The Old Testament and the Church

     Problems and pitfalls

     Which Bible should I read?

     The canon of the Old Testament

     Scripture and Prayer

The Pentateuch

     The book of Genesis

     The story of Moses

The Historical Books

     Joshua and the Judges

     David and Solomon

     The kingdoms of Judah and Israel

The Prophets

     Prophets of the eighth century

     Jeremiah and his contemporaries

     Ezekiel, second Isaiah and the remaining prophets

The Psalms and the Wisdom Books

The Book of Daniel and the Latest Writings of the Old Testament

The Old Testament in the New

Church Teaching on the Bible

     Further reading on the Old Testament

Some of the passages I highlighted my first time through were:

“In his exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (‘ The Joy of the Gospel’) Pope Francis reminds us that all Christians are called to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. We are all invited to evangelise. “There is a kind of preaching which falls to each of us as a daily responsibility. It has to do with bringing the Gospel to people we meet, whether they be our neighbours or complete strangers.””

“Pope Francis explains that all evangelisation is based on the word of God “listened to, meditated upon, lived, celebrated and witnessed to”. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the source for evangelisation. The word of God, listened to and celebrated above all in the Eucharist, enables us to offer witness in our daily lives. “The preaching of the word, living and effective, prepares for the reception of the Sacrament, and in the Sacrament that word attains its maximum efficacy.””

“The study of the word of God must be “a door opened to every believer”. Enriched by the word of God we can both live our faith and bear witness to it. This study of the Bible must be accompanied by “prayerful individual and communal reading”.”

 “These words from the Second Letter to Timothy (3: 16) are a constant challenge to Christians. To receive the teaching and guidance the Scriptures convey is not always easy. This is particularly true of the Old Testament. How can these Scriptures be considered useful today? Are they not far too much a product of ancient times? Are they not superseded for Christians by the New Testament?”

“This booklet offers a way forward to a deeper understanding of the Old Testament. It can be used either by individuals or by groups. As you go through the booklet, it will be helpful to read the individual chapters of the Old Testament which are mentioned. The biblical verses quoted at the beginning of each section may be tracked down in the Bible and the surrounding text explored.”

“After some introductory questions this booklet will look first at the books of the Pentateuch. We will then consider the books known as “historical”. The major and minor prophets will be viewed next. Finally we will survey the psalms, the books known as “wisdom literature”, and the latest books of the Old Testament.”

This book is a great read. Easily accessible. Anyone with a general education could engage easily with the book and benefit from reading it. This book and its sister volume were both great reads. I already have plans to read a few of Father Graffy’s books. And know that the books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society will play a central role in my reading for years to come.

An excellent resource that I highly recommend.  

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books by Father Adrian Graffy:
A Manual of Hebrew Poetics
Alive and Active: The Old Testament Beyond 2000
Discovering the New Testament
Discovering the Old Testament
Gospels of Mercy: 12 Steps to the Love of God
Scriptural Way of the Cross
Scripture of Mercy: The Love of God in the Old Testament
Trustworthy and True: The Gospels Beyond 2000
Twelve Steps to the Love of God
…

Discovering the New Testament - Father Adrian Graffy

Discovering the New Testament

Father Adrian Graffy
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781860829307

eISBN 9781784693183

ASIN B072XQKSXY

CTS Booklet SC114

 

This was the second volume from the pen of Father Adrian Graffy that I have read. I picked up this one and the companion volume Discovering the Old Testament at the same time. And I can say both are great reads. The beginning of both books contains the same section called ‘Encouragement from Pope Francis’. Both Volumes were published in 2014 and the eBook editions released in 2017. Over the last few years I have read over 200 books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society. There have been many excellent reads including both of these volumes. For the last several months I have been listening to Father Mike Schmitz’s podcast The Bible In A Year, and these books have been great supplemental reading. The description of this volume is:

“Pope Francis urges Christians to be nourished by the Word of God. Fr Graffy introduces all the books of the New Testament, giving advice for both private and liturgical reading of the Gospels, letters and other books. It is ideal for anyone wishing to understand and gain more from the New Testament, whether from their own personal reading, or listening to the readings at Mass. It is a companion to Fr Graffy’s sister work ‘Discovering the Old Testament’.”

And the chapters are:

The Books of the New Testament

Encouragement from Pope Francis

Introduction

God speaks through the Son

Reading and Praying the New Testament

Which Bible should I read?

The Books of the New Testament

The Gospels

The nature of a gospel

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of John

The Acts of the Apostles

The Letters of St Paul

The other Letters

The Book of Revelation

Church Teaching on the Bible

Further reading on the New Testament

Some of the passages I highlighted my first time through were:

“In his exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (‘ The Joy of the Gospel’) Pope Francis reminds us that all Christians are called to spread the good news of Jesus Christ. We are all invited to evangelise. “There is a kind of preaching which falls to each of us as a daily responsibility. It has to do with bringing the Gospel to people we meet, whether they be our neighbours or complete strangers.””

“The study of the word of God must be “a door opened to every believer”. Enriched by the word of God we can both live our faith and bear witness to it. This study of the Bible must be accompanied by “prayerful individual and communal reading”.”

“For Christians the climax of God’s reaching out, God’s communication, God’s revelation, comes in Jesus, the Son of God. In the CTS Discovering the Old Testament we explored how God spoke to our ancestors through the inspired writers of the Old Testament. This booklet sets out to explore how God spoke to us through the Son.”

“The purpose of this short introduction is not simply to impart information about the New Testament. In order to be nourished by the Scriptures we need to approach them in a spirit of peace and prayerfulness. But information about them will assist us to understand and derive more from our reading. The Church’s ancient practice of lectio divina (or “divine reading”) has been taken up by many people in recent times. At its simplest, it is the practice of reading the Scriptures in a prayerful and meditative way.”

“All the other books of the New Testament also receive their allotted time. While some parts of the Old Testament never appear in the Lectionary, all books of the New Testament are read. It is therefore quite possible to cover the New Testament by accompanying the Sunday and weekday Lectionary with meditative reading of the New Testament.”

“Whatever Bible you buy, it is most important to make sure that it contains the “deutero-canonical” books which are described as “the apocrypha” in non-Catholic Bibles.”

“What makes the visions in the Book of Revelation difficult is their constant use of imagery and of quotations from the Old Testament. Once the images, such as that of Christ as the Lamb, and that of the Roman empire as the beast, are deciphered, interpretation is made easier. Once the relevance of the Old Testament quotations, often from the book of Daniel, is appreciated, a rich understanding is opened up. This is not easy material to fathom.”

This book is a great read. Easily accessible. Anyone with a general education could engage easily with the book and benefit from reading it. This book and its sister volume were both great reads. I already have plans to read a few of Father Graffy’s books. And know that the books and booklets from the Catholic Truth Society will play a central role in my reading for years to come.

An excellent resource that I highly recommend. 

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Books by Father Adrian Graffy:
A Manual of Hebrew Poetics
Alive and Active: The Old Testament Beyond 2000
Discovering the New Testament
Discovering the Old Testament
Gospels of Mercy: 12 Steps to the Love of God
Scriptural Way of the Cross
Scripture of Mercy: The Love of God in the Old Testament
Trustworthy and True: The Gospels Beyond 2000
Twelve Steps to the Love of God
…

Scriptural Way of the Cross - Father Adrian Graffy - CTS Devotions

Scriptural Way of the Cross
Father Adrian Graffy
CTS Devotions
Catholic Truth Society
ISBN 9781784696276
CTS Booklet D832

  This lent I have used several different versions of Stations of the Cross and Way of the Cross. Including a few from The Catholic Truth Society. This is a new one that was released in 2020.  Over the last few years I have read over 100 volumes from the CTS. I have read books from many series. And many authors. This was the first book I have read by Father Adrian Graffy. The book is only available currently in print, there is no eBook edition.

The description of this volume is:

“The Stations of the Cross devotion, meditating on Jesus’s journey to Calvary, is loved by Catholics around the world. In this new set of meditations, Scripture scholar Fr Adrian Graffy draws us deeper into the Passion of Jesus by placing a greater emphasis on God’s Word.

Each Station begins by meditating slowly upon a passage from Scripture, which is further brought to life by a prayer to Jesus which is directly related to the Station and the Scripture just read. Finally, each Station ends with relevant prayer intentions, bringing the devotion to the very heart of the Church today.

The Stations are accompanied by beautiful images of the Stations of the Cross which hang on the walls of the Catholic Church of Christ the Eternal High Priest in Essex."

This is a good version of the Stations of the Cross. The sculptures of the stations are great art to use for reflection during the prayers. The prayers and stanza for after the station are all at the beginning of the book. So there will be a lot of back and forth flipping. 

The reflections by Father Graffy are well written. The reflections are shorter than many versions I have used this year. The advantage of that is you can still work through the stations, especially if time is an issue. A sample reflection is:

“Second Station

Jesus Receives the Cross

From the gospel according to mark
(8:34-35)

Anyone who wants to be a follower of mine must renounce self and take up the cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save life will lose it: but whoever loses life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.

Pause

Jesus, your cross is the means of our salvation. Help us to be willing to lose our lives for your sake. Show us the beauty of generosity and self-giving love.

Pause

Ask for the grace to give generously and deny self. Welcome the joy of the gospel which no suffering can remove.”

This is another great resource from the Catholic Truth Society. I found it very beneficial. And other than wishing there was an eBook edition, can highly recommend it. Note in 2024 an eBook edition of this volume was released. I picked it up as soon as I saw it and prayed it the next Friday.

Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2020 Catholic Reading Plan! For other reviews of books from the Catholic Truth Society click here.

Link to other Lent Resources. 
For other books in the CTS Devotions Series click here.

Books by Father Adrian Graffy:
A Manual of Hebrew Poetics
Alive and Active: The Old Testament Beyond 2000
Discovering the New Testament
Discovering the Old Testament
Gospels of Mercy: 12 Steps to the Love of God
Scriptural Way of the Cross
Scripture of Mercy: The Love of God in the Old Testament
Trustworthy and True: The Gospels Beyond 2000
Twelve Steps to the Love of God
…

Other Stations of the Cross from the Catholic Truth Society:

Calvary Through the Eyes of Mary - Helen Pepper

Scriptural Way of the Cross - Father Adrian Graffy

Way of the Cross Meditations and Prayers - Pope Benedict XVI

Meditations on Stations of the Cross - John Henry Newman

Way of the Cross Uniting Our Sufferings to Christ - Michael Campbell

Stations of the Cross and Resurrection with the Saints - J.B. Midgley

The Stations of the Cross: A Via Dolorosa - Father Marcus Holden

Via Dolorosa with Pope Benedict XVI - Cardinal Camillo Ruini

Stations of the Cross - Saint Alphonsus Liguori - The Way of Divine Mercy

Way of the Cross  with Pope Benedict XVI - Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-Kiun

The Way of the Cross in the Words of St Paul - Donal Anthony Foley and

Father Clement Parsons

Year of Faith Stations of the Cross - Brendan Leahy

Lenten Devotions - Lawrence Lew O.P. 

Stations of the Cross:  In Light of the Work of the Society of St Vincent De Paul - Fr Gerard Bogan

…