Bible Study: Genesis 2

Commentary

(4-7) There really are two creation stories in Genesis 1 and Genesis 2. One is not a summary of the other, they explain the relationship of humans to God in two very different contexts.

(16-17) Man is told not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil... but is not forbidden from the fruit of the tree of life! The death incurred by eating from the tree of knowledge is a spiritual death due to sin (otherwise the tree of life would be extraneous).

Scripture Questions

1. In Genesis 1, God gives names to the basic components of the world. In Genesis 2, the man names the living creatures. What does this tell us about humans?

   God, in making us in His image, endowed us with a sense of creativity and a desire to know things. When we come across something we've never seen before, we often ask "what is it called?" When we create something new, we give it a name. Genesis 2 is like the best of both worlds: Adam didn't create the animals, but he was seeing them for the first time, and gave them names.
   

2. What do Genesis 2:8-9,19-20 suggest about God's purpose for the plants and animals on the earth?

The "original" purpose was for plants to be the food for all animals, and for animals to be "helpers" for humans: for tilling the land, making clothing from sheep wool, etc. It doesn't even eliminate the possibility for getting milk from cows.


3. Verses 23 and 24 are linked by the word "therefore" (NRSV, Catholic Edition). What is the narrator trying to explain? How would you clarify the explanation to someone who asked your help in understanding it?

The union between man and woman is explained as the natural answer to the separation created by the origin of woman ("out of man"). They are natural counterparts to one another.


4. How is the creation account in Genesis 2 different from the account in Genesis 1? What different points do the two accounts emphasize? Do the two accounts give a somewhat different picture of God?

In the first account, God spends several days building up the earth, reaching the pinnacle of creation: humans. In the second account, God creates Adam first and then creates the plant-life that fills Eden and the animals for Adam to name. In both accounts, humanity is special: in the first, because humans are the pinnacle of creation, the last thing God creates before the earth is very good; and in the second, because Adam is the very first thing God creates, and everything else is made for him. God is the Creator in the first account, whereas in the second account His creative role is more as a father figure and a benefactor.

Personal Reflection Questions

1. When have you been lonely? Is loneliness an inescapable part of life? How can you tell when someone is lonely? Is there someone whose loneliness you could relieve?

When I first went to college I was lonely. Being put into a new situation, especially one in which you don't know anybody, can often lead to a sense of un-belonging and loneliness. I don't know if the symptoms of loneliness are universal, but people who look like they think they're out of place or are sequestering themselves are probably lonely people.


2. How has work been a blessing for you? In what ways has it been a mixed blessing?

I love my job: I'm at the computer, writing code, building programs, pretty much all day. I solve interesting problems and my company fills a very specific niche. However, there are times I forget it's my job and I have a boss to report to and other people I have to work with. Sometimes I get impatient or irritated by inadequate specifications or quick one-off programs. So although I enjoy it, there are times when my interest in it is outweighed by the gravity of the reality that it is work and not play.


3. When has God unexpectedly provided something good for you? What effect has this had on your relationship with him?

I'd say getting a copy of The Divine Office has been a help for me. It's bolstered my often-flailing prayer life and given me something to concentrate on for several minutes a day. I feel closer to God because of it.


4. Who have been the most important helpers on your journey through life? To whom is God giving you as a helper at this stage in life? What could you do to better show love in these relationships?

My fiancée Kristin, my sister Jenn, and my brother Charlie (a priest) have probably been the most "present" helpers over the last several years of my life. Now, as a member of my church's RCIA team, I feel I am being given as a "helper" to the four people seeking full communion with the Church. It's my responsibility to help in their education and shepherding, and to help them develop a healthy relationship with God.

Bible Study: Genesis 1

Commentary

(1-5) We see in the first three verses the three distinct Persons of God: the Father and Creator, the Word, and the Spirit. The Father creates the heavens and the earth through his Word (his Son, known as Jesus in the flesh), and creation is moved and permeated by a mighty wind (3) translated literally as the "Spirit of God". The first words God speaks bring into being light, so from the beginning, the Word of God has been "light". In Psalm 90:2, we read that God has been God and God has existed from eternity to eternity. In 2 Maccabees 7:28, a mother tells her son to gaze at the heavens and know that God is their source of existence, just as He is the source of our existence. In the letter to the Hebrews, the author writes that it was through the Son of God (who is the Word made flesh) that the Father brought the universe into being.

(11-12) I forgot to mention this before... in a thread on ChristianForums.com about spiritual messages in Genesis 1, I mentioned the third day of creation:

I find that the third day in Genesis is a foreshadowing of the Resurrection of Jesus.

Then God said, "Let the earth bring forth vegetation: every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it." And so it happened: the earth brought forth every kind of plant that bears seed and every kind of fruit tree on earth that bears fruit with its seed in it. God saw how good it was. (Genesis 1:11-12)

In the context of John 12:24 ("Amen, amen, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit.") I think it prophesies the abundance of life that comes from the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(26-31) God has created morning, evening, water, earth, sky, plants, and animals, and finally He creates man in our image, after our likeness (26). This "image" of God is not merely our most generic form. We have the characteristics of God: creativity, mastery, a desire to be loved freely, and a will of our own. God made us, male and female, for us to inhabit the earth and control it -- but not to abuse it. The charge that we are to multiply and subdue the earth is echoed in Genesis 9:1, after Noah and his family leave the ark. In Wisdom 2:23, the author writes that God made man in the image of His own nature. We read in Psalm 8:6-9 that the state of man is close to that of a god, crowned with glory and honor, ruling over the things God has made on the earth. Psalm 115:16 echoes that: heaven is God's, but He has given the earth to us.

Scripture Reflection: 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time (October 1, 2006)

Readings for today: Numbers 11:25-29, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-48.

First Reading: Moses brings 68 elders (2 remained behind) to the meeting tent, where God gives to them a portion of the Spirit He bestowed on Moses. Back at the camp, Eldad and Medad, the two elders who were left behind, receive the Spirit as well, and begin to prophesy. Joshua hears of this and says to Moses, "My lord, stop them." Moses is curious if Joshua is jealous for Moses, and replies "Would that the LORD might bestow his spirit on them all!"

Second Reading: James writes harsh words to the worldly rich, admonishing them for storing up material treasures rather than spiritual ones. He pits their mercilessness against the helplessness of the righteous.

Gospel: John warns Jesus about a man driving out demons in Jesus's name, though he does not follow us. Jesus says not to stop those who perform mighty deeds in his name, for whoever is not against us is for us. He even promises a reward to he who serves one who belongs to Christ. Jesus then goes on to preach that one should remove the body part which causes one to sin, and that one who causes a child to sin is committing an even graver sin.

As is often the case, the first reading and the gospel reading are clearly related: in one, Joshua's zeal for Moses causes him to be jealous for the gift given to Moses, and in the other, John's zeal for Jesus causes him to be wary of the gift given to a non-apostle. Joshua feels that Eldad and Medad are doing wrongly by prophesying. Perhaps he feels that Moses is threatened by their new-found gift, or he fears it is not from God. Perhaps he is hurt that they received this gift and he did not, for up to this point in Scripture, Joshua is only mentioned as Moses's aide; even though Joshua accompanies Moses up Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:13) and would be present in the meeting tent with him when all others would leave (Exodus 33:11), he was at best only a witness to Moses's communion with God. We see a similar reaction from John when he tells Jesus about a man exorcising demons in the name of Jesus, even though the man was not "one of them", by which he mostly likely meant an apostle or even a "regular" disciple. Perhaps John is jealous that an "outsider" has the faith in Jesus necessary to perform such deeds.

The response from Moses and the response from Jesus are similar to one another. Moses asks, "Are you jealous for my sake?" He says that he would be pleased if all were prophets, if received the outpouring of the Spirit. Jesus says not to prevent the exorcist from performing his duties, for "whoever is not against us is for us". He even goes so far as to say that anyone who gives even a drink of water to a follower of Christ "will surely not lose his reward". That sounds dangerous, even heretical -- a person who helps a Christian out will not lose his reward? But it is not heresy for at least two reasons: first, it's Jesus Christ, the Word of God, saying it, and second, because the reward is not explicitly named. The reward could simply be the change that comes into that person's life because of the kindness they showed to a Christian... and that change could include the opening of the heart to the message of Christ, leading them to become Christian themselves!

The historical context of the remark is also relevant. In the early church, there was sometimes bitter enmity between Jewish Christians ("natural") and Gentile Christians ("adopted"). This message by Jesus was important in denouncing the rivalry between those who were Christian because they were Jews who believed Jesus was Christ, and those who were Christian because they were converted. This message is presented multiple times in Scripture. In the book of Jonah, God rebukes Jonah for his fierce nationalism in wishing God had not saved Ninevah but rather destroyed it, as God had told Jonah to prophesy. The parable of the workers in the vineyard who receive the same wages, even though some worked all day and others only started work in the afternoon (Matthew 20:1-16, specifically v12). The parable of the prodigal son, in which the elder son is angry at the father for celebrating the return of the younger son (Luke 15:11-32, specifically vv28-30). There is no room for jealousy in the kingdom of God. The "natural" Christians are not any "better" than the "adopted" Christians.

Even the second reading, from the letter of James, fits into the gospel message. James warns the rich of building up (material) treasure for the last days. He uses language similar to Jesus's warning in Matthew 6:19-21, mentioning moth and decay. Jesus tells us to store up spiritual treasures in heaven, not material treasures on earth. The acts Jesus describes in the gospel reading, deeds done in the name of Christ, build up our spiritual treasure. Even the little act of serving water to a thirsty person is worthy of reward from God!

For a commentary on the second half of the gospel reading (on body parts that cause one to sin), see This is a Hard Saying, #1.

Peace be with you, amen.

RCIA: Prophets & Prophecy (Session #4, October 8th)

I. GOAL

A. To understand the role of prophets in God’s revelation of Himself to humanity, and to understand the language of prophecy

II. SOURCES OF INFORMATION

A. Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)

1. Prophet (Glossary)

B. Catholic Encyclopedia (CE)

1. Prophecy

2. Prophecy, Prophet, and Prophetess

C. Bible

1. Most (if not all) books of the Bible have prophetic material in them

III. PRIMARY QUESTIONS

A. What is prophecy?

1. Divine inspirations concerning what is secret, whether future or not. A Divine light by which God reveals things concerning the unknown and by which these things are in some way represented to the mind of the prophet, whose duty it is to manifest them to others. (CE)

i. In place of charms and oracles and other devices, God bestows instead the gift of prophecy

2. Content

i. Knowledge of forgotten pasts

ii. Knowledge of the hidden present

iii. Foreknowledge of future events

3. Transmission

i. Supernatural, from God

ii. Beyond the natural power of our intelligence

iii. Manifested by words and/or signs

iv. Conveyed to the intellect, the senses, or the imagination

v. The prophet was almost always awake

4. Types of prophecy

i. Perfect vs. Imperfect

a. Perfect: the prophet is sure of the thing being revealed and that it is God who is revealing it

b. Imperfect prophecy lacks one of those two characteristics (2 Samuel 7:2-5a, 13a)

ii. Denunciation, Foreknowledge, Predestination

a. Denunciation: future events that hinge upon cause-and-effect (Jonah)

b. Foreknowledge: future events that hinge upon free will, but which God sees in the present from eternity

c. Predestination: future events that are God’s infallible, unpreventable will, and which He shall cause to come about (the coming of the Messiah)

B. What is a (true) prophet?

1. One sent by God to form the people of the Old Covenant in the hope of salvation. (CCC)

i. Interpreter and herald of Yahweh whose duty is to communicate God’s will and designs to Israel

a. Preaching, foretelling, leading the people when they went astray

b. Preparing the way for the new kingdom of God ushered in by the Messiah

c. In a time of polytheism, prophets of God spoke for “Yahweh” (the name revealed to Moses), the one true God

ii. The Hebrew word is nevi, originally meaning “proclaimer” and developing into the Biblical usage of “interpreter and mouthpiece of God” (Exodus 7:1-2)

iii. Greek word prophetes comes from pro-phanai (to speak for, to speak in the name of someone)

2. No “tribe of prophets” (contrast with the Mosaic priesthood of Levi)

i. The gift of prophecy is an extraordinary grace bestowed by God on whomever He pleases

a. No preparation required, no training needed

b. Men, women, children, angels, demons, gentiles, etc.

c. Moral goodness preferred, but not necessary

ii. Prophetic message initiated by God (Jeremiah 1:2) or by prayer on the part of the prophet (Jeremiah 42:4)

iii. Prophets other than adult Hebrew males

a. Miriam, the sister of Moses

b. Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist

c. Samuel and Daniel as children

d. Balaam, a Moabite (Gentile) (Numbers 24:15-17)

e. Demons (Matthew 8:28-29)

C. What is a false prophet?

1. Either one who claims prophecy falsely, or one who reveals God in a manner contrary to the understanding revealed in Scripture. (Jeremiah 23:30-32)

2. True prophets should be virtuous, well-tempered, and in good mental health

3. True prophets should speak in conformity with Christian truth if they are inspired by the Spirit

4. True prophets should speak of things of grave and important nature, for the good of the Church or for souls in general

i. This excludes fortune-telling, crystal-gazers, etc.

5. Prophecies that make known the sins of others, or delve into predestination (of a soul’s salvation or condemnation) are suspect

i. In particular, the Day of Judgment is a secret that has never been revealed

6. Look for fulfillment of prophecy, except where the prophecy was hinged upon conditions which have changed (Jonah)

i. Consider prophecy from God which may have been misinterpreted by humans

D. Who were some of the prophets?

1. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

i. God spoke directly to Abraham (and Isaac and Jacob)

ii. God formed the covenant of circumcision with Abraham, the first physical historical covenant

2. Moses and Aaron

i. God spoke directly to Moses, manifesting Himself in such forms as a bush burning but not consumed and a pillar of smoke

ii. God reveals himself by name to Moses: Yahweh (“I am who am”)

iii. God reveals himself as the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob

3. Samuel and Nathan

i. Samuel was called by God as a young boy (1 Samuel 3:4-10), and his calling began the “institution” of prophets

a. Prophets did not have “schools”, nor did they “pass on” their “skill”, but prophets became main-stays and advisors to the king

ii. Nathan served King David and prophesied as well as instructed David using parables (2 Samuel 12:1-7a)

4. Elijah

i. Helped lead Israel back to God

ii. Raised a boy from the dead (1 Kings 17:17-24)

iii. Fled to Mount Horeb when Jezebel threatened his life; there he received encouragement (1 Kings 19:8b-13a) and a mission from God (1 Kings 19:13b-18)

iv. Commanded by God to anoint Elisha as his successor (1 Kings 19:16, 19-21)

5. Elisha

i. Succeeded Elijah and received a “double portion of [his] spirit” before Elijah was taken up into heaven amidst a whirlwind and a flaming chariot (2 Kings 2:9-12)

ii. Also raised a boy from the dead (2 Kings 4:32-35)

6. Major Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel

7. Minor Prophets: Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zachariah, Malachi

8. Called by God in different ways and responded differently (Amos 7:14-15; Jeremiah 1:4-5; Jonah 1:1-3a)

9. The fate of prophets…

i. All were threatened, most were killed

ii. Jesus referred to Jerusalem – and the Pharisees in particular – as the murderer of the prophets (Matthew 23:29-37)

E. What was the role of prophecy?

1. Literal and figurative meanings behind the images and words

i. Literal: 1 Kings 22:17

ii. Figurative: Jeremiah 1:11-12

iii. Literal and figurative: 2 Samuel 7:12-13

2. Usually oral instruction accompanied by symbolic gestures

i. In Jeremiah 27:2, he was prophesying God’s bondage of the Israelites under Nebuchadnezzar.

ii. Some prophecies appear to have been made exclusively to be written down

3. Preaching religion and morals, deploring idol worship and empty sacrifices; foretelling the Day of Yahweh, the Messiah, salvation, and the end of the world

F. What did they prophesy?

1. They did not just receive a mission of preaching and predicting God’s will, they were given a specific message, and all they spoke came to them by revelation and inspiration (2 Peter 1:21)

2. God’s abandonment of Israel for their wickedness and His return (Hosea)

3. God’s destruction of wicked nations if they did not repent (Jonah)

4. The new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; Ezekiel 11:19-20, 36:26-28)

5. Obedience and love, instead of sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22; Hosea 6:6)

6. The Messiah, details of his ministry, even John the Baptist (Isaiah 9:5-6, 53:1-12; Daniel 7:13-14; Zechariah 9:9; Malachi 3)

i. Jesus Christ is understood to be the consummation of prophecy, meaning that all the prophecies were ultimately pointing to his birth, ministry, death, and resurrection, as well as his purpose in the salvation of God’s people (Matthew 13:17)

7. The Resurrection (Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2)

G. What about prophecy during the time of Christ?

1. The angel Gabriel, appearing to Mary, regarding Jesus (Luke 1:26-37)

2. Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist, upon seeing Mary (Luke 1:41-45)

3. Zechariah, father of John the Baptist, upon John’s birth (Luke 1:68-79)

4. Simeon, in the temple at the presentation of Jesus (Luke 2:25-35)

5. Anna, recognizing the fulfillment of God’s promise (Luke 2:36-38)

6. John the Baptist, possessing the spirit of Elijah (Luke 3:15-16)

7. Jesus as prophet

i. As a boy in Jerusalem (Luke 2:46-49)

ii. At the start of his ministry (Luke 4:14-21; cf. Isaiah 61:1-2)

iii. About John the Baptist (Luke 7:27, cf. Malachi 3:1)

iv. He taught with an authority never known before, for the source of his teaching was not outside of him, but in him

H. Where is prophecy now?

1. The book of Revelation is the last formally acknowledged prophetic work of Divine inspiration, but the prophetic spirit has not disappeared

2. We have freedom in accepting or rejecting private or particular prophecy, but we should be slow to judge either way

i. The real litmus test is fulfillment!

IV. READING AND ACTIVITY

A. The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53)

1. Examining the parallels between the prophecy and the ministry of Jesus

This is a Hard Saying, #1: If your right eye causes you to sin...

Back after a bit of a hiatus -- between work, a summer class at Rutgers, Bible study, Tuesday nights at Andy's Corner Bar, and myriad other activities, this blog was pushed aside. I'll try to post something at least once a week now, but I've assumed another set of committments to my time: work, RCIA team, Bible study, dance lessons at some point...

"This is a hard saying", murmured the crowd of disciples upon hearing Jesus talk about his flesh as true food and his blood as true drink. Jesus's ministry was full of hard sayings. In volume 1, we consider Matthew 5:29-30:

If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body thrown into Gehenna. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one of your members than to have your whole body go into Gehenna.

These admonitions, echoed in Matthew 18:8-9 and Mark 9:43-48, seem to say that the flesh is so evil we are better off removing those parts of it which cause us to sin than to perish because of them. And yet, the Word of God humbled himself and took on our humanity in the form of Jesus Christ, so while man's intention may be inclined toward evil from the very beginning (Genesis 8:21), we can feel comfortable saying that flesh, in and of itself, is not evil. Indeed, the Bible tells us of a bodily resurrection, so let us not assume flesh is evil.

And, if there is a bodily resurrection, is it not odd that we would not be restored fully, both in spirit and flesh? Would we not have perfect sight, perfect hearing, perfect taste? Would we not be spotless and without blemish before our God? The other places in the Gospel where these sayings come up mention "enter[ing] into life" and even, in Mark 9:47, "enter[ing] into the kingdom of God". The stump on a man, in heaven, walking without an arm (cut off for fear of sin) would be a testimony to sin, and there is no place for that in the Kingdom of God. I think the only wounds we will ever see on another body in heaven are the blessed ones Jesus bore, not as a testimony to our sinfulness, but to God's saving love. What, then, does Jesus mean when he says it is better for us to remove a body part that causes us to sin than to be condemned by it?

I have never known a person who sinned because of an arm, a hand, or even a finger; nor have I met a person who sinned because of a leg, an eye, an ear, or any other body part... except the heart. The heart is mentioned over and over again in Scripture, especially in the Gospels. Jesus says...

• "Blessed are the clean of heart." (Matthew 5:8)
• "Where your treasure is, there also will your heart be." (Matthew 6:21)
• "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart." (Matthew 11:29)
• "You brood of vipers, how can you say good things when you are evil? For from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks." (Matthew 12:34)
• "Gross is the heart of this people, they will hardly hear with their ears, they have closed their eyes, lest they see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and be converted, and I heal them." (Matthew 13:15, cf. Isaiah 6:10)
• "For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, false witness, blasphemy." (Matthew 15:19)
• "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart." (Matthew 22:37)

... and that's just one book of the Bible. God promises that He will be our God, and we will be His people, that He will give us a new heart: His spirit in us (Jeremiah 31:33; Ezekiel 11:19-20; Ezekiel 36:26-28). Finally, Jesus reminds us that "whoever loses his life for my sake will find it" (Matthew 10:39). What is this life we are to lose? Must we all be martyrs like St. Stephen? I don't think that is Jesus's intent here.

We must lose our material life, our worldly life, and in doing so, we will gain the life we have pushed aside, one which embraces the values of Christ, not of the world. And therein lies what Jesus was referring to in Matthew 5:29-30. Remove from your life that which causes you to sin. If alcohol causes you to sin, remove the alcohol, not the hand holding the bottle or the arm which raises it to your lips. If pornography causes you to sin, remove the pornography, not your genitals. If crude or racist humor causes you to sin, remove that influence, not your ears. If a person who says "Jesus is asking me to give up what I love?" that is indeed a clear sign of what sin has done: we love worldly things so much we cannot fathom sacrificing them for the infinitely more awesome gift God is offering us. A life of sin does not get one "thrown into Gehenna" but leads one there. We can choose to deny ourselves the worldly pleasures and accept God's promise... or we can accept our worldly lusts and, in doing so, deny ourselves the kingdom. God offers us this choice; He challenges us to love what is good.

Music: Dare You to Move (Switchfoot)

I recently got around to burning Switchfoot's 2003 CD, "The Beautiful Letdown", onto my computer and iPod. When I first heard their single, "Dare You to Move", I liked it; it was not until recently, though, that I learned that they are in fact a Christian band. It puts their mainstream singles in a different light.

And so I've decided to share my interpretation of the song.

Welcome to the planet, welcome to existence.
Everyone's here, everyone's here,
Everybody's watching you now,
Everybody waits for you now.
What happens next, what happens next?

I see this in two ways: to a newborn and to a person receiving the unpleasant shock of reality. To the newborn, it's pretty literal: a child is born, is slapped to induce normal breathing ("welcome to the planet"), and is the center of attention for the family immediately. To the other person, it's pretty similar: a person is thrust into some situation, slapped on the back ("welcome to the planet"), and suddenly his reaction is the center of attention. Either way, the second verse converges on a single theme. But first, the chorus:

I dare you to move, I dare you to move,
I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor.
I dare you to move, I dare you to move,
Like today never happened,
Today never happened before.

To the infant, this is saying, "do something". Indeed, today never has happened before for this infant. It's his first day; everything starts from here. For the person in general, it starts to get interesting. Confronted with a situation in which we are in the wrong, we can either stay down (on the floor) or dare to fix things, which is often harder to do. And what's more, the person is challenged to go on living in spite of this situation.

Welcome to the fallout, welcome to resistance.
The tension is here, the tension is here,
Between who you are and who you could be,
Between how it is and how it should be.
Yeah...

[Chorus]

Here it becomes much more focused on sin and redemption. The fallout is a reference to sin in general and its repercussions, and resistance is a reference to attitudes that are anti-Christian. For the infant who has grown into an adolescent, this verse calls to mind the point when he realizes his shortcomings and the general state of the world, and recognizes he can be a better person and the world should be a better place -- all this in face of the tension: peer pressure to conform and temptation to conduct himself however he feels like. For the other person, the examination is the same.

Maybe redemption has stories to tell.
Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell.
Where can you run to escape from yourself?
Where you gonna go, where you gonna go?
Salvation is here...

[Chorus]

The prospect of running away from yourself, from your sins and faults, is brought up. There is no where to go to escape yourself, so how can we live with ourselves in spite of our pasts? Redemption, forgiveness, salvation. And not in some place light-years away, but right here, on earth. Maybe forgiveness is right where you fell makes me think of facing the person you have wronged.

That's all for now. Reflections and interpretations probably should be done with food in one's stomach...

Bible Study: Synoptics #16: Controversies

Relevant Readings

The primary readings for this chapter are Matthew 22:15-23:39, Mark 12:1-40, and Luke 20:1-47.

Additional passages are: Genesis 4:8, Genesis 26:24, 2 Chronicles 24:20-22, Jeremiah 3:19, Hosea 9:15, Mark 12:41-44, Mark 15:22-27, Matthew 20:26-27, Luke 11:42-54, Luke 16:24, Luke 24:18-21, Acts 12:1-3, 1 Timothy 5:1, James 2:21, James 3:1-2, 1 Peter 5:5-7, and Revelation 18:23-24.

Questions

1. To whom was Jesus speaking in Matthew 23:1?

   [T]o the crowds and to his disciples.

2. In Matthew 23:2-3, what did Jesus tell the disciples to do concerning the Pharisees?

   They do not practice what they preach, so listen to what they say but do not follow their example.

3. Find a contemporary application of Matthew 23:4. How do people do this now?

   They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. This can be applied to...

4. What does Matthew 23:5-7 identify as the motive of the Pharisee's good deeds?

   The Pharisees wish to be seen by others performing good deeds, so that they can receive "places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi'".

5. How are Matthew 23:9-11 and James 3:1-2 connected?

   James writes that teachers will be judged more strictly, and Jesus is clearly judging the conduct of the Pharisees and other teachers of the law.

6. Compare and contrast these verses: Genesis 26:24, Jeremiah 3:19, Luke 16:24, James 2:21, and 1 Timothy 5:1.

   These verses are related to Abraham. In Genesis, God tells Isaac that He will bless Isaac as He blessed Abraham and multiply Isaac's descendants. The quote from Jeremiah is God talking about Israel following Him and calling him Father. In Luke, the excerpt is from the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, wherein the rich man calls to Abraham to send Lazarus to comfort him. James writes that Abraham's faith in God, combined with his works (offering Isaac as a sacrifice), justified Abraham. Paul writes to Timothy that you should not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as a father.

7. What do these verses teach: Matthew 20:26-27, Matthew 23:11-12, and Mark 12:38-40.

   The two excerpts from Matthew teach that whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever jumbles himself will be exalted and that the greatest among you must be your servant. In Mark, Jesus says that the scribes are shallow, doing what they do only for commendation by men, when they shall receive condemnation from God.

8. Describe the situation in the following verses: Genesis 4:8, 2 Chronicles 24:20-22, Luke 11:49-51, and Revelation 18:23-24.

   Cain kills Abel; King Joash has Zechariah killed; Jesus recalls the sending forth of prophets who were killed by the people of Israel; an angel describes Babylon as the cause of the deaths of the prophets and holy ones.

9. What type of death does Jesus foretell in Matthew 23:34?

   Jesus foretells the crucifixion of some prophets and wise men and scribes.

10. Describe the scenario in Mark 15:22-27.

    This is the crucifixion of Jesus.

11. How did the disciples explain their disappointment in Luke 24:18-21?

    On the road to Emmaus, Cleopas tells the stranger (Jesus) that it is the third day since Jesus was put to death -- crucified -- by the chief priests and rulers, and that Jesus was hoped to be the one to redeem Israel.

12. What happened to these disciples of Jesus: Acts 7:54-60 and Acts 12:1-3.

    Stephen was the first martyr of Christianity, stoned to death by the Sanhedrin. King Herod had James (the brother of John and son of Zebedee) killed.

13. After denouncing the Pharisees, to whom does Jesus point in Mark 12:38-44?

    Jesus denounces the scribes as well, and then extolls the virtuous poor widow who gave all she had, rather than the rich who give a mere morsel of their wealth.

14. What is the response of the Pharisees to Jesus's criticism, recorded in Luke 11:53-54?

    The Pharisees tried to catch Jesus in a false teaching, by being hostile and constantly interrogating him, to catch him at something he might say.

15. What terms does Jesus use in Matthew 3:7-12 as well as here in Matthew 23:33?

    Both John the Baptist and Jesus call the Pharisees a "brood of vipers".

16. What emotion does Jesus show in Matthew 23:37-38?

    Jesus laments for Jerusalem, stubborn to hear the Word of God through His prophets. He is disappointed in Jerusalem.

17. Compare Jeremiah 12:7 with Hosea 9:15.

    In Jeremiah is written I abandon my house, cast off my heritage, and in Hosea: Because of their wicked deeds I will drive them out of my house.

18. How does Peter write you can avoid hypocrisy in your own life, in 1 Peter 5:5-7?

    By cloth[ing] yourselves with humility in your dealings with one another.

Bible Study: Synoptics #11: Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes

Relevant Readings

The primary readings for this chapter are Matthew 14:13-21; 15:32-39, Mark 6:31-44; 8:1-10, Luke 9:10-17, and John 6:1-13.

Additional passages are: Exodus 14:21-30, Exodus 16:15-17, 1 Kings 17:8-24, 1 Kings 19:4-8, 2 Kings 4:14-37, Matthew 6:33, Mark 9:23-24, Luke 1:45, Luke 5:12-13, John 2:1-11, and John 6:14,26,31-32,35,51,53-54,66.

Summary

The additional accounts in Matthew and Mark have been placed in a second table.

Matthew 14:13-21		Mark 6:31-44		Luke 9:10-17		John 6:1-13
13	Jesus goes by boat to a deserted place, and the crowds follow him on foot	31-33	Jesus tells the apostles to "come away [to] a deserted place and rest a while"; they go by boat to a deserted place, but the crowds follow them on foot	10-11a	Jesus and his disciples withdraw in private to Bethsaida; the crowds follow them	1-4	Near the time of Passover, Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee; he goes up a mountain and rests with his disciples; a large crowd follows him
14	Jesus sees the large crowd and has pity for them, and cures their sick	34	Jesus sees the large crowd and has pity for them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he begins to teach them	11b	Jesus speaks to the crowd about the kingdom of God and cures the sick among them	5a	Jesus sees the crowd approaching
15	When evening arrives, the disicples suggest to Jesus that he should dismiss the crowds so they can buy themselves food	35-36	As it gets later, the disciples suggest to Jesus that he should dismiss the crowds so they can buy themselves food	12	As the day draws to a close, the apostles suggest to Jesus that he should dismiss the crowds to they can find lodging and provisions	5b-6	Jesus asks Peter, "Where can we buy enough for them to eat?"; he does this to test Philip
16-18	Jesus replies "give them some food yourselves"; the disciples answer that they only have five loaves and two fish; Jesus asks for them	37-38	Jesus replies "give them some food yourselves"; the disciples ask if they should buy 200 days' wages of food; Jesus asks what they have, and they answer five loaves and two fish	13	Jesus replies "give them some food yourselves"; the disciples say all the have is five loaves and two fish, unless they were to buy more food	7-9	Philip says that 200 days' wages would not purchase enough food; Andrew reports that a boy has five barley loaves and two fish, but Andrew doubts they will help
19	Jesus has the crowd sit down; he takes the food, says a blessing, breaks the bread, and gives the food to the disciples to distribute	39-41	Jesus has the crowd sit down; people sit in rows of 50 and 100; Jesus takes the fish, says a blessing, breaks the bread, and gives the food to the disciples to distribute	14-16	Jesus tells his disciples to group the crowd (with 5000 men) to sit in groups of 50; Jesus takes the food, says a blessing, breaks the bread, and gives the food to the disciples to distribute	10-11	Jesus tells crowd (with 5000 men) to recline; then Jesus takes the bread, gives thanks, and distributes the bread and fish to the crowd, giving as much [as] they wanted
20	After all have eaten enough, the remaining fragments fill twelve wicker baskets	42-43	After all have eaten enough, the remaining fragments fill twelve wicker baskets	17	After all have eaten enough, the remaining fragments fill twelve wicker baskets	12-13	After all have eaten enough, Jesus has his disciples collect the remaining fragments, which filled twelve wicker baskets
21	At least 5000 men shared the food (not counting women and children)	44	At least 5000 men ate shared the bread

Matthew 15:32-39		Mark 8:1-10
32	The crowd has been with Jesus for three days, so he does not want to send them away hungry	1-3	The crowd has been with Jesus for three days, so he does not want to send them away hungry
33	The disciples ask Jesus where they can find enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy them	4	The disciples ask Jesus where they anyone could find enough bread to satisfy them [in] this deserted place
34	The disciples say they have seven loaves of bread and a few fish	5	The disciples say they have seven loaves of bread
35-36	Jesus has the crowd sit down; then he gives thanks and breaks the loaves and gives the bread and fish to the disciples to distribute to the crowd	6-7	Jesus has the crowd sit down; then he gives thanks and breaks the loaves and gives them to his disciples to distribute to the crowd; he also blesses and distributes a few fish they had as well
37-38	All eat and are satisfied; the left-over fragments fill seven baskets; there were 4000 men, plus women and children	8-9	All eat and are satisfied; the left-over fragments fill seven baskets; there were 4000 men
39	Jesus gets into a boat and sails to Magadan	10	Jesus gets into a boat and sails to Dalmanutha

Questions

1. What is a miracle and what is its purpose?

   CCC 156 describes miracles as the most certain signs of divine Revelation, adapted to the intelligence of all, meaning that we believe in them because of the authority of God himself who reveals them. Miracles are credible means by which to show that faith is not a blind impulse of the mind.

2. What was Jesus's first miracle (found in John 2:1-11) and what was the reaction?

   Jesus's mother told him that the wedding had run out of wine, and he instructs the servers to fill six jars with water, and then to draw some to give to the headwaiter. This was the first of Jesus's signs through which his disciples came to believe in him.

3. What do the miracles of Cana and the multiplication of fishes and loaves signify?

   CCC 1335 explains that these two miracles prefigure the Eucharist: the superabundance of this unique bread of his Eucharist and the new wine that has become the Blood of Christ.

4. Identify these Old Testament miracles: A. Exodus 14:21-30, B. Exodus 16:15-17, C. 1 Kings 17:8-16, D. 1 Kings 17:17-24, E. 1 Kings 19:4-8, F. 2 Kings 4:14-37.

   1. The parting of the Red Sea
   2. Manna from heaven
   3. The widow's flour and oil do not decrease
   4. God resurrects the widow's son at Elijah's prayer
   5. Elijah receives a hearth cake and water in the desert to strengthen him for a journey to Mount Horeb
   6. The young son of an old woman (who was conceived as Elisha had promised her) dies and is resurrected

5. What did Jesus's life and the miracles he worked signify?

   CCC 515 says that his deeds, miracles and words all revealed that "in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily".

6. What would you say to a person who did not believe in miracles?

   ...

7. Identify the prerequisites for a miracle in these passages: Matthew 6:33, Mark 9:23-24, Luke 1:45, Luke 5:12-13.

   From Matthew, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. From Mark, everything is possible to one who has faith. From Luke, belief in the Lord's promises; also, submission to the will of God.

8. Describe the sequence of events in Mark 6:31-44.

   See the Summary.

9. Can you give an accurate count of the people fed in Matthew 14:21?

   The number of men was around 5000; since that doesn't include women and children, the total was probably several thousand more.

10. About how many people did Jesus feed the second time (Matthew 15:38)?

    About 4000 men, plus women and children. Assuming some men came alone, some had their wives with them, and some had a child with them as well, the total was probably around 8000.

11. What additional information can be found in Luke 9:10-17?

    Luke names the location, Bethsaida. He also describes Jesus as having the disciples split the crowd up into groups of about fifty.

12. Although the synoptic accounts differ, do they contradict one another?

    No.

13. Which apostles are named in John 6:1-13?

    Philip (John 6:5), Andrew and Simon Peter (John 6:8).

14. Compare these responses to Jesus: Matthew 14:20, Matthew 15:37, Mark 6:42, Mark 8:8, Luke 9:17, John 6:11-14.

    The synoptic accounts all say that all ate and were satisfied. John says that all had their fill, and then they said that Jesus is "truly the Prophet, the one who is to come into the world".

15. Why did some people follow Jesus, as reported in John 6:26?

    Some people looked for Jesus after the miracle simply because he had been able to feed them, not because they recognized him by signs and wonders.

16. What does Jesus say about manna in John 6:31-32?

    Jesus tells the crowd that it was not Moses who gave them bread from heaven, but rather God the Father who gives them true bread from heaven.

17. What are some of the things Jesus says after the miracle (John 6:35,51,53-54)?

    "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst."

    "I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever, and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world."

    "Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day."

18. How do some of Jesus's disciples react in John 6:66?

    Jesus's message caused many disciples to disband from him and return to their old life. This was due to his message about his body and blood, and that no one can come to him unless it is through the Father.

19. What would your reaction have been if you were present at this miracle?

    I would probably have been very confused and wondered where the food came from, and how there was so much of it, instead of concentrating on the fact that it was multiplied. I think trying to figure out how the miracle occurred detracts from the experience itself; that it happened is enough.

20. Has there been a time when God miraculously met a need of yours?

    ...

Bible Study: Synoptics #10: The Miracles of Jesus

Relevant Readings

The primary readings for this chapter are Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, and Luke 8:26-39.

Additional passages are: Tobit 6:7-8:18, Matthew 8:1-4,14-15,23-27, Matthew 9:1-8,27-34, Matthew 12:9-16,43-45, Mark 1:21-31,40-45, Mark 2:1-12, Mark 3:1-12,22, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 11:14-15,24-26, Luke 17:11-19, Luke 18:35-43, Luke 4:33-39, Luke 5:12-26, Luke 6:6-11,17-19, Luke 7:11-17, John 11:45, Romans 16:19-20, 2 Cor 11:14, James 4:7-8, and 1 Peter 5:7-10.

Summary

Matthew 8:28-34		Mark 5:1-20		Luke 8:26-39
28	Jesus arrives in Gadarenes and two savage demoniacs coming from the tombs meet him	1-2	Jesus arrives in Gerasenes and a man with an unclean spirit, from the tombs, meets him	28-27	Jesus arrives in Gerasenes and a man posessed by demons meets him; he is naked and lives among the tombs
		3-5	The man is described as being able to break the chains and shackles used to restrain him, and crying out and bruising himself with stones
29	The demoniacs cry out "What have you to do with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before the appointed time?"	6-7	The man prostrates himself before Jesus and cries out "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me!"	28	The man falls before Jesus and shouts "What have you to do with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me!"
		8	Jesus had said "Unclean spirit, come out of the man!"	29	Jesus had ordered the unclean spirit to leave the man; the man was reported to have broken his chains and shackles and fled to deserted places by the demon
		9	Jesus asks the man his name, and he responds "Legion is my name. There are many of us."	30	Jesus asks the man his name, and he responds "Legion" because there were many demons in him
		10	The demons plead not to be sent from the area	31	The demons plead not to be ordered to depart to the abyss
30-31	There is a herd of swine in the area; the demons plead to be sent into the pigs if Jesus casts them out of the men	11-12	There is a large herd of swine on the hillside, and the demons plead to be sent into the swine	32	There is a herd of many swine on the hillside, and the demons plead to enter the swine
32	Jesus does so; the posessed herd of pigs rushes into the sea and drowns	13	Jesus does so; the two thousand pigs rush into the sea and drown	33	Jesus lets them; the herd rushes into the lake and drowns
33	The swineherds flee into town to report what happened	14	The swinheherds report the incident in the town, and the people come out to see what happened	34	The swineherds report what happened in the town
		15-16	The people see the formerly posessed man sitting clothed and of sound mind, and they become seized with fear; the incident is explained to them by witnesses	35-36	The people come out to see what happened, and find the man clothed and in his right mind, and they become seized with fear; the witnesses describe the events to them
34	The villagers beg Jesus to leave the area (on account of the loss of swine)	17	They beg Jesus to leave the district	37	All of Gerasenes asks Jesus to leave because they became seized with great fear; Jesus gets into the boat to leave
		18	As Jesus is departing, the man asks to remain with Jesus	38	The man begs Jesus to let him remain with Jesus, but Jesus sends him away
		19-20	Jesus tells him Go home to your family and announce to them all that the Lord in his pity has done for you."; the man proclaims throughout the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him, and all are amazed	39	Jesus tells him "Return home and recount what God has done for you."; the man proclaims throughout the town what Jesus had done for him

Questions

1. How does Jesus demonstrate his divine sovereignty?

   CCC 447 refers to his life's ministry, full of works of power over nature, illnesses, demons, death and sin.

2. Describe the only Old Testament reference to freeing a person from evil spirits, in Tobit 6:7-8:18.

   A woman, Sarah, is posessed by a demon that has killed every man who marries her. Tobiah follows the instructions of the angel Azariah (also named Raphael) and burns a fish's liver and heart as incense in the presence of Sarah; the demon flees and Tobiah marries Sarah.

3. Describe the events in: Matthew 8:28-29, Matthew 8:30-32, Matthew 8:33-34.

   See the Summary.

4. Describe the events in: Mark 5:1-5, Mark 5:6-13, Mark 5:14-17, Mark 5:18-19, Mark 5:20.

   See the Summary.

5. Describe a time when you wanted to do one thing and God wanted you to do something else.

6. What does Saint Luke specifically mention in Luke 8:26-39?

   Luke mentions that the man had not worn clothes for a long time (Luke 8:27), and that the demons posessing him had driven him to deserted places before (Luke 8:29). Luke records Legion as requesting not to be sent to the abyss (Luke 8:31). Finally, he reports the conversation between the man and Jesus: the man wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus told him to stay behind and tell of what God had done for him (Luke 8:38-39).

7. What do Jesus's exorcisms demonstrate?

   From CCC 550 we read that the exorcisms were a foreshadowing of Jesus's victory over Satan in the coming of God's kingdom. The exorcisms freed people from demons, much as Jesus would free everyone from sin.

8. Identify these miracles of Jesus: A. Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39; B. Matthew 8:1-4, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-16; C. Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26; D. Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11; E. Matthew 9:27-31, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43; F. Matthew 9:32-34, Mark 3:22, Luke 11:14-15.

   1. Jesus heals Peter's mother-in-law
   2. Jesus cures a leper
   3. Jesus forgives the sins of a cripple, and heals him as well
   4. Jesus heals a man's withered hand (on the Sabbath)
   5. Jesus cures two blind men
   6. Jesus drives a demon out of a mute man, curing him

9. What were the various responses to Jesus's miracles: Mark 3:6,22, John 11:45, Matthew 9:33, and Luke 17:11-19.

   In Mark, the Pharisees plot against Jesus's life, and the scribes think that Jesus only has power over demons because he himself is obsessed by Beelzebul. John reports that some Jews who saw Lazarus resurrected began to believe in Jesus. The verse in Matthew shows people being amazed by Jesus driving out a demon, thereby curing the mute man; the next verse, however, has the Pharisees condemning the act: "He drives out demons by the prince of demons" (Matthew 9:34). The passage from Luke is about ten lepers cured by Jesus, only one of whom (a Samaritan) returns to Jesus to thank him and praise God.

10. Has anyone witnessed to you a miraculous, life-transforming event?

11. About how many healing miracles did Jesus perform, as reported in Matthew 12:15-16, Mark 3:7-10, and Luke 6:17-19?

    Hundreds, if not thousands. The numbers are not made clear in these passages.

12. What miracle is exclusive to Luke's gospel, in Luke 7:11-17?

    Jesus resurrects a widow's only son during his funeral procession, out of the city of Nain.

13. What does Jesus show in the miracle in Matthew 8:23-27?

    Jesus displays control over nature itself: the wind and the sea become calm when he commands them (Matthew 8:26).

14. How do evil spirits respond to Jesus (Mark 3:11-12)?

    They would fall down before him and shout, "You are the Son of God." (Mark 3:11).

15. In what unexpected place was a demoniac found (Mark 1:21-28)?

    He was in the synagogue.

16. How did Jesus deliver people from demons and unclean spirits in Luke 4:33-37?

    He spoke to the demons and exerted his God-given power over them: Jesus rebuked him and said, "Be quiet! Come out of him!" Then the demon [...] came out of him (Luke 4:35).

17. What caution does Jesus give about receiving deliverance from evil spirits in Matthew 12:43-45?

    Evil begets evil: the person because worse off than before.

18. What happens to the person who allows evil to return and dwell with him (Luke 11:24-26)?

    This is essentially identical to the passage from Matthew.

19. What do the apostles reveal about the devil in these passages: Romans 16:19-20, 2 Cor 11:14, James 4:7-8, and 1 Peter 5:7-10?

    Paul writes in Romans that God shall crush Satan under your feet, and in 2 Corinthians that Satan is deceptive and masquerades as an angel of light. James writes that, just as drawing near to God causes God to draw nearer to you, resisting the devil will cause the devil to flee from you. Peter writes that the devil is eager to find someone to corrupt, prowling around like a roaming lion.

20. Explain what the Lord has done for you and how he has shown you mercy, as he does to the man in Mark 5:19.