Study questions for tomorrow morning

We press forward through Luke 2, starting with a handful of study questions:

1. Why did including Simeon and Anna make Dr. Luke’s gospel account stronger?
2. Why did God send these extra messages to Mary and Joseph through Simeon and Anna?
3. How have you reflected on God’s promises in your heart?
4. What kind of sword has ever pierced your heart?
5. What significance is there in the mention of Caesar Augustus?
6. What is the basic function of an angel? How do they fulfill that function in their appearance to the shepherds?
7. What is the meaning of the phrase, "first born son" to a Jew of that day?
8. When Jesus became a sign of contradiction, whom was he contradicting?

Continuing Luke's first chapter

Last week we looked into vv. 1-38 of Luke's first chapter. This week, we tackle the rest of the chapter, although with the Magnificat and the Benedictus in this part of Ch. 1, one culd easily spend a lifetime thinking about that short set of verses!

We will continue to employ study questions from the Hahn/Mitch study guide, and here are a few more study questions concerning this part of Ch. 1:

1. Mary visits her coursin, Elizabeth, and Elizabeth blesses Mary. What inspired Elizabeth to bless Mary this way?
2. Can God actually stop evil? How would Mary answer that question? What about an apostle like Peter or Paul?
3. How does Mary’s response to Gabriel's announcement differ from the actions of Eve?
4. How does pre-birth John the Baptist react to the real presence of his Lord?
5. How impossible did God’s promise seem -- His promise of mercy to Abraham -- and how long did it look ahead for its fulfillment?
6. Is it okay to worship Mary?
7. What aspect of God’s promise to Abraham has the properties of the truth?
8. How has God hallowed His own name in this chapter of Luke’s gospel?

We begin Luke's Gospel this Thursday.

This week we begin the study of Luke's Gospel, including the study guide written by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch. Here are some questions we can use concerning this first chapter; questions from the Hahn/Mitch study guide are in italics:

1. What is the Old Testament significance of Gabriel's prophecy that John the Baptist would "drink no wine nor strong drink"? Who are some other figures who had the same commitment as John?
2. Is it fitting that Christ should have been born of an espoused virgin?
3. What considerations help us understand the meaning of the title "full of grace" that Gabriel gives to Mary?
4. Should the accomplishment of Christ's conception should be attributed to the Holy Ghost or to God the Father?
5. Was Christ sanctified in the first instant of His conception?
6. Was it necessary to announce to the Blessed Virgin that which was to be done in her?
7. Why is the angel’s use of the term "overshadow" significant? What Old Testament passage uses the term? In that passage, what was overshadowed?
8. How does Luke... portray Mary as the Ark of the Covenant?
9. Was the Blessed Virgin was sanctified before her birth from the womb?
10. Did Christ acquire His judiciary power, the power to judge, by His merits or was it due to Him, prior to any acts of merit?

Be ready for more questions on Thursday morning, as we gaze into this opening passage of Luke's gospel, seeking the Lord Jesus.

The seven great psalms

We have finished a study of these seven of the greatest psalms:

54. Psalm 54, O God, by your name save me.
19. Psalm 19, The heavens declare the glory of God.
128. Psalm 128, Blessed are all who fear the LORD.
90. Psalm 90, the prayer of Moses the man of God.
33. Psalm 33, Rejoice, you righteous, in the LORD.
126. Psalm 126, When the Lord brought Zion's captives home, at first it seemed like a dream.
18. Psalm 18, He said: I love you, LORD, my strength.

Praise, humility, obedience and delight in God's word, all in these psalms of power. As the psalmist sings, "What marvels indeed He has done for us, and how overjoyed we were!"

Psalm 18

The psalm of intense power, 51 verses full with God's grace.

What things soever are spoken in this Psalm which cannot apply to the Lord Himself personally, that is to the Head of the Church, must be referred to the Church. For whole Christ speaks here, in whom are all His members.
- St. Augustine

Let's begin with a few questions:

1. For David the king, in time of danger, what would he consider to be a band of death, a cord of death that could encompass or encircle him?
2. What band of death tried to encompass Jesus?
3. Was David ever trapped underwater or endangered by the sea? If not, who was?
4. When did David display righteousness when he was in danger?
5. Have you ever wished for a path through a dangerous place, a perfect path, where you could step and be sure not to fall?
6. Does v. 12 seem like a description, in a way, of a tabernacle?
   
   I.e., does it have properties we would expect a normal tabernacle to have?
7. What happens to hailstones when they land on the ground? How does this compare to God's admonition, as it lands in our heart?
8. What is it that enlightens our vision? And how is it that God lights a man's lamp, enlightening his vision?

Psalm 126, the psalm of freedom

"When the Lord brought Zion's captives home, at first it seemed like a dream." What noble words to begin this psalm! Only six verses, yet they are powerful.

Here are some additional questions by which to work through this psalm:

1. How did we get into captivity? Where were we captive?
2. Are we promised a return to 31.7857°N, 35.2007°E, i.e., to Jerusalem in Israel?
3. Make a mental list: How many times did Israel become captive? How many people in the Old Testament experienced captivity?
4. Was Jesus ever a captive? How about the apostles?
5. What is the nature of Babylon? How would a prophet describe it?
6. If you follow the Messiah, are you heading home from Babylon or back to captivity?
7. How easy is it to speak if your mouth is filled?
8. What does Jesus say about the things that come out of our mouth, our words? How does he rate them?
9. Literally, the psalmist says, "like torrents in the south," What is the south of Israel like, Deacon Al?
10. What do we sow, as apostolic Christians?
11. Where were the returning captives sowing seed?
12. How many times have you planeted a garden hopefully and weeds take over the garden? Big disaster.

Now we can look into this noble song and really apply it.

Questions for Psalm 33 and its source of power

St. Augustine wrote quite a bit about this psalm, and it is understandable, being as how it is loaded with God's power.

Here are a few questions to start getting your mind wrapped around Psalm 33:

1. What is the one idea you would use to describe God's Word?
2. In v. 5 of the Douay-Rheims Psalm 33, it reads "He loves mercy and judgement." Why does mercy come first rather than judgement? Does it happen that way in an earthly court of law?
3. How is it, in v. 12, that God has an inheritance? Shouldn't it be vice versa?
4. What is the Lord's dwelling place, from which He surveys all mankind? Think it over carefully.
5. What is your hope?

It is an interesting psalm to look into, and tomorrow, with coffee and some brainpower, by the Holy Spirit's help, we will start looking into this powerful psalm!

Lofty praise, profound power: Psalm 33

We will study Psalm 33 on Thursday this week, a psalm of praise,

Sing to him a new song;
skillfully play with joyful chant.

yet also a psalm of power. The earth if full of the mercy of the Lord.

Ascent to greatness, Psalm 90, prayer of Moses the man of God

Now we turn toward the truly great psalm, Psalm 90, the prayer of Moses the man of God. Here are a few of the questions to get you really thinking.

1. If the temple in Jerusalem is God's dwelling place, then how is it that He Himself is our dwelling place, as a place of refuge?
2. From everlasting to everlasting: why does v. 2 refer to God in the present tense, "you are" as if it is between eternities?
3. From what does the Lord ask men to return? Where were they?
4. Why does Moses compare time to the life of a flowering plant?
5. Is there some significance in the numbers 70 and 80?
6. Do you have an accurate, adequate understanding of God's wrath?

There are still more questions to ask, wisdom to find, in this mighty psalm. We will start on that task tomorrow morning.

Questions in Psalm 128

Of all the 150 psalms, one of the greatest is Psalm 128, even though it is a short psalm: small yet mighty.

Here are a few questions to consider while reading and studying this psalm:

1. The second verse is literally about eating the labor of your fruits, instead of the fruits of your labors. Why is man who lives from the labor of his hands greater than the one who fears the Lord (v. 1)?
2. 
   If we think of this psalm as describing the Messiah, then we must ask, who is the Messiah's wife?
3. Who is the vineyard?
4. Who then is the structure of the home, the walls or sides inside which the vineyard produces?
5. How does Matthew say that becoming a member of Jesus' family happens? It is not a biological DNA-based family, but a family indeed, but how?
6. Who can we consider to be the children in this psalm?
7. How long will you see Jerusalem in its prosperity?

There are many truths to find in this small but mighty psalm. Let's look into it on Thursday morning.

About Psalm 19, what we found

Here are some of the comments we found on Thursday:

1. The Church teaches that God created the universe by His word, according to His wisdom. Does this concept appear in Psalm 19?
   1. Bob R.: I see it all over.
2. The second half of the psalm describes the Torah. Is there something in the first half that describes Jesus or the Gospel?
   1. Bob R.:Jesus the Bridegroom
   2. Dave: the tabernacle, pitching the tent for the sun
   3. Ken: the Word created the universe; also, the message going out over the earth is like the mission to evangelize.
3. Is there something about the message of Jesus that is inescapable to any man, woman or child, something that no man escapes?
   1. Ken: You cannot hide from the truth.
   2. Jim: How about, "No man comes to the Father except through me," for something everyone must experience?
   3. Al: The prophet Jeremiah recalled the Lord's vocation, "Before you were born, I knew you," something God could say to anyone.
   4. Jim: Spell it sun or son, it makes no difference.
4. The precepts or statutes of the Lord lead to rejoicing of the heart, but federal and state statutes are about crimes and misdemeanors, so how can the Lord's statutes lead to rejoicing?
   1. Ken: Holy fear leads to perfection and joy.

We had an excellent session.

Hebrew letters for the Lord's encouragement, "Fear not, for I am with you."

Next Thursday, Psalm 128, a mighty psalm, one of the greatest of all.

Thursday, Sept. 27, Psalm 19

Today we will ascend to greatness and consider Psalm 19. Here are a few study questions.

1. The Church teaches that God created the universe by His word, according to His wisdom. Does this concept appear in Psalm 19?
2. The second half of the psalm describes the Torah. Is there something in the first half that describes Jesus or the Gospel?
3. Is there something about the message of Jesus that is inescapable to any man, woman or child, something that no man escapes?
4. Does Jesus' view of the Torah lead to the conversion of souls?
5. The precepts or statutes of the Lord lead to rejoicing of the heart, but federal and state statutes are about crimes and misdemeanors, so how can the Lord's statutes lead to rejoicing? And by the way, how many statutes are on the books of the Lord?
6. WHAT THE --?! Fear endures forever? That does not seem quite right -- or does it?
7. In Acts 3, St. Peter with St. John mentions gold and silver by the "Beautiful Gate" of the temple. How does that series of events relate to God's judgements?
8. To whom will the Day of Judgement be sweet? To whom will it be bitter?
9. What makes sins hard to "detect," hard to comprehend?
10. What was the worst, most horrendous sin ever committed? Is it possible for a man to be complicit with that sin, even now?
11. How would Peter, the Rock, have prayed this psalm?

Let's have some coffee and talk it over, seeing deeper into the perfect Torah of freedom.

Psalm 54, one of the great Psalms

Last Thursday, we looked into Psalm 54, one of the great Psalms, asking these questions. A few comments follow.

1. David, as God called him, ‘a man after my own heart,’ wrote Psalm 54 in time of danger. How does this psalm show God’s heart?
2. The time of danger was mentioned in 1 Sam. 23:19 etc., when David (anointed in 1 Sam 16) was betrayed to Saul by the Ziphites. Was this similar to a time in Jesus’ life?
3. Ziphim -- meaning sprinkled in the face. How does sprinkling have to do with the Messiah?
   1. St. Hilary of Poitiers: Sprinkling on the face but not on the heart. People offer lip service but not their hearts, ‘they honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’ This well describes the people who betrayed Jesus.
4. Did God the Father ever defend the cause of Jesus or vindicate Jesus in some way?
   1. Ken: Yes, especially at the resurrection and ascension.
5. Notice that David asks to be judged or defended by God’s strength and power, not by his mercy. Takes guts to do that. Most men would ask for mercy. Why does David ask for power?
6. Are the words of your mouth perfect and acceptable to God?
7. How does the voice of David change from v. 5 to v. 6?
   1. St. Hilary of Poitiers: it sets out the result of a heard prayer.
8. ‘They have not set God before their eyes,’ is visual, and Hilary says it is balanced by the foes having been turned back. Does this relate to the Exodus?
   1. Yes. It is like God casting a glance into the camp of the Egyptians, causing panic. Cf., Ex. 14:24. Also, the great Jewish commentator Rashi comments on Ex. 14:24.
9. David says that, in the end, he looked down on his enemies, probably from a lofty cliff or knoll in the hills. How does Jesus look down on His enemies?

The greatest psalms

We will begin a 6 week study of the greatest of all the psalms. We will follow the mighty footsteps of David and Solomon, who were themselves walking toward the Lamb.

James, chapter 6

This morning we will study up the 6th chapter of James. A few of the following questions might help our reading and discussions:

1. What is the most important concept in the first five chapters, in your opinion.
2. Which shows greater contempt, flattery or quarreling?
3. The sacrament of anointing with oil, does it have the effect of remission of sins?
4. Does the gift of wisdom correspond to the seventh beatitude?
5. Is there mercy and justice in each of God’s works, or sometimes justice and at other times mercy?

As always, we want to view God's perfect Torah of freedom in each of the scriptures He has sent to us.

James 5, here we go.

Let's work on the Epistle of James, chapter 5, with a few questions:

1. A person who cheats his workers of their pay, in v. 4, is committing sin, a grievous sin which cries out to heaven. What is the nature of that cry? For what does it ask?
2. Is keeping back a wage the sin of theft or lying?
3. Have you ever been cheated out of a paycheck?
4. Does slavery jive with James' admonition here in v. 4?
5. What would Blessed Sal of Goldenrod say is the answer to v. 4's injustice?
6. Did Jesus ever get cheated of wages?
7. Is there ever a cry out of heaven along the same lines that James describes in v. 4?
8. Were the prodigal son and his father ever in a wage dispute?
9. Anointing with oil, as a sacrament, has its roots in vv. 13-15. What kinds of anointing happened in the Old Testament?
10. Was Jesus ever anointed?

We must gaze steadily into the perfect Torah of freedom, if we desire wisdom. The Epistle of James is just a start.

James 4, a few questions

Let's think over these questions concerning chapter 4 of James' epistle:

1. Is prayer a battle?
2. Is prayer a gift from God?
3. What good does it do to pray?
4. Think of ten different ways of life: rich man, poor man, beggar man, thief etc. How would each answer question 3?
5. What causes distraction?
6. Have you ever thought that your prayer of petition is unheard? WHy did you think that?

Let's have a cup of coffee and then talk this over, with James as our teacher.

A few questions in James 3

This chapter concerns how we use our tongue to speak, and the nature of our words. Here are some questions we might begin with:

1. A teacher, to James, is a person who primarily communicates by ______. (multiple choice)
   1. his spoken word
   2. his YouTube account
   3. his writing
   4. artwork and sculture
   5. Chuck Norris concepts
2. The tongue of a man is compared to a horse's bit and to a teeny rudder. What part of a man fulfills the analogy of the reins by which the rider controls the bit?
3. Continuing the analogy: What part of a man compares to the ship's wheel?
4. Completing the analogy: who or what is the rider of the horse, the captain of the ship?
5. Did Job ever have occasion to sin with words from his mouth? How about Moses?
6. Read Psalm 19. How does the final verse jive with James' teaching in chapter 3?
7. In v. 11, James mentions a spring of pure water. What should be the source of our pure words?
8. Can a person dip into jealousy or selfish ambition without some unwise spoken words?
9. How do jealousy and selfish ambition, spoken openly, help a teacher of the Lord's way to lead students toward God?

We will start with these questions on Thursday morning, a lot to learn.

James 2

Questions for chapter 2 of James:

1. 
   Why are good works an essential part of Christian faith?
2. James remarks in v. 19 that even the demons believe. What does that mean for a Christian who seeks to be obedient to God?
3. If faith without works is dead, then is it similar to bodily death?

Get going with James 1

Here are some study questions for starting to read in the epistle of James:

1. In Proverbs, wise King Solomon says that the fear of Lord is the beginning of wisdom. How does the fear of the Lord arise in the soul?
2. What part of the Our Father jives with the challenge of James, that we ask God for wisdom?
3. 
   Is a trial, mentioned in v. 2, the same as a temptation, mentioned in vv. 12-14?
4. Was Jesus ever tempted?
5. James admonishes us, saying that we must not "test" God the Father, in the sense of asking God to prove Himself. What is this testing? If you are in a trial of some kind, what would you want God to prove about Himself?
6. The Church teaches that "the family should live in such a way that its members learn to care and take responsibility for the young, the old, the sick, the handicapped, and the poor." Would James have agreed with that?

There is a lot to learn in this beautiful writing. Let's have some coffee on Thursday morning, 7 AM, and then gaze into this perfect Torah of freedom.

Completion of Philippians

Today we will finish our study of Paul's epistle to the Philippians, by diving into these questions:

1. Recall the beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." How do the concepts in v. 8 align with the actions of a peacemaker?
2. Do you hear the echoes of the great commandment in v. 8?
3. What happens when you offer alms to someone or to a group that is not actually in need? Is it an empty act?
4. Is the city of Philippi the greatest city in the Roman world? Second greatest?
5. What part of the Our Father corresponds to v. 19 about supply for our needs?
6. Can an ordinary civilian follow in these same footsteps and attitudes of Paul?

It is excellent to think of these things, and through them to become a doer of the Word, God's perfect Torah of freedom.

Lots to think about in Philippians 4

There are a lot of things to think over when reading through Philippians ch. 4. Some questions are:

1. Who writes down the names in the Book of Life?
2. How does Paul know whose name is written in the Book of Life?
3. If we are supposed to take up our cross, isn’t it then a contradiction to rejoice always?
4. It seems like crazy talk to say, as Paul says, that we ought to have no anxiety.How is it possible?
5. How can one make prayer and petition with thanksgiving in ALL things? Even when something bad happens?
6. The peace of God sounds nice, but what is it, actually?
7. Does the peace of God include our enemies?
8. In v. 8, Paul writes about that which is true, that which is lovely, and so on. How many items are on your version of this list? I.e.,
   1. What is something true that you can think on?
   2. What is something lovely that you can think on?
   3. etc.
9. How would Mary the Virgin have responded to v. 8?

Finish Philippians 3

We will take a few more questions to dig into Philippians chapter 3 this week, viz.

1. In v. 13, St. Paul mentions that he leaves all the positive things he has done behind. What advantage is there to forgetting what lies behind?
2. What is the one thing he does NOT forget about?
3. How often have you trained for a physical task by imitating someone else who was proficient?
4. St. Paul admonishes those who act as if they were enemies of the cross of Christ. OK, then one can ask, how does one act as a true comrade with the cross of Christ?
5. Is it safe or not to be a true comrade of the cross of Christ?

There are a lot of questions we could ask, as we seek to become real doers of the Word, but this additional list of five can get us started.

On Thursday, we will also discuss where we will study after Philippians.

Two weeks off

Due to Vacation Bible School this week and Independence Day next week, we will take two weeks off from Men's Bible Study. Next meeting is on July 12.

Philippians 3

A few questions to consider for Thursday morning in Philippians chapter 3:

1. Would you be more nervous standing next to a 3rd grader or next to the President of the United States?
2. After you have helped serve meals to the homeless, does it make you more or less inclined to do so again?
3. Where in the gospels does Jesus refer to a set of people as dogs?
4. What things do you consider as positives, as "gains," but which are really negative when compared to the Lord?
5. Did St. Thomas Aquinas ever get to this point, where he forgot about all his good work behind him and stretched forward to the prize?
6. Is it impossible to live the life of a great saint?

Let's dig into chapter 3 with a few of these questions.

Findings from Philippians

We are about halfway through our study of Philippians. Here are some of the remarks that the men have contributed:

1. How does it make God the Father’s plan more powerful that Jesus assumed the condition of a slave?
   1. Len: The Father shows us a clear example.
   2. Bob: Others bargain with God the Father, but Jesus did not bargain. Moses bargained.
   3. Ken: Abraham bargained for Sodom and Gomorrah.
   4. Dave: Peter tried to bargain at the rate of 70 × 7
   5. Bob: No bargaining shows no doubt in Jesus -- unconditional.
   6. Len: Forming the Church is better this way without grumbling and factions.
2. In how many instances in the gospels did Jesus live out this humbling, submitting himself in some way, for the love of God the Father?
   1. Len: Jesus cooked them a meal after the resurrection.
   2. Al: In the temple, at age 12, a humble, ordinary family kerfuffle.
   3. Len: After the transfiguration, Jesus told the Twelve not to blab about it.
   4. Dave: Jesus kept his mouth shut for 30 years.
   5. Len: In the synagogue in Nazareth, they were up in arms because of Jesus' humble family.
   The incarnation and human birth of the Messiah in the first place was an act of humility.
3. Is there any humility in the Eucharist?
   1. Bob: Without humility, there can be no love.
   2. Len: Jesus made his "life form" to take on the appearance of bread and wine.
   3. Bob: The Eucharist is humility; you have to humble yourself, for instance, by going to confession.
   4. Dave: Receiving communion is an act of humility.
   5. Ken: Jesus humbled himself to provide the Eucharist: the humility of a true king.
   6. Dave: Jesus did it for love of us.
   7. Dave: The priest is an instrument of humility when he recites the prayers.
   The Church teaches us that the efficacy of the sacrament of the altar comes not from the priest but from Jesus himself, and this is true for all of the sacraments:

   CCC 1073: The liturgy is also a participation in Christ's own prayer addressed to the Father in the Holy Spirit.

More questions from Philippians Ch. 2

We will dig deeper into the meaning of Phil. 2:5-11, using a few more questions:

1. Do you have to strive and build up an argument to establish that you are in fact a human being?
2. What group of humans are subject to this predicament, that other humans must strive and build up an argument to establish that the individuals in that subgroup are in fact human beings, and that still other humans do not accept this argument?
3. Are there beings that are fully human and other beings only a fraction human?
4. Do we claim that, like the Greeks claimed about their gods, that God the Father is a little bit larger or greater than God the Son?
5. Does humility reside in the strong chains of a humbled slave, or does it exist elsewhere?
6. Is there any humility in the Eucharist?

Let's begin with these questions on Thursday morning, and thereby gaze deeply into the perfect law of freedom.

Concerning Philippians 2

We began studying through the epistle to the Philippians last week, so here are some more study questions concerning chapter 2:

1. Is St. Paul unsure if there is actually encouragement in Christ?
2. Does Jesus really have a true human soul or is it just a fictional concept?
3. How does it make God the Father’s plan more powerful that Jesus assumed the condition of a slave?
4. Is it the act of a true king to assume the condition of a slave?
5. Think carefully: In how many instances in the gospels did Jesus live out this humbling, submitting himself in some way, for the love of God the Father?

Let's start tomorrow with these queries... and we are just getting started, because this section of the epistle is LOADED.

Combo time

We will have a combo study plan today, as we decide where to study next:

1. Read about Paul's and Silas' evangelization through incarceration at Phillippi, Acts chapter 16, and
2. then dive into Paul's letter to the Philippians.

Final exam today

We will have our Gospel of Matthew final exam today. It will be "open book" if you can read your bible. Bring a pencil or pen, and be ready to exercise your grey matter!

Some of the things we found in Matthew's gospel.

Over the past several months of studying Matthew's gospel, we have considered a large set of questions. From our prayer and discussion, we have found many things of note:

1. What is the significance for us in the worship offered by the magi?
   1. Len: The magi were a bit like apostles, except that they were called inwards, to Jerusalem.
   2. Scott: The magi were like the first Christians.
   3. It is interesting to consider how the Lord used the astrologer concepts of the magi to draw them to the Messiah. Len suggested that this is similar to Paul's famous speech to the smart Athenians, where he started form their religious activity and led them to the message of Jesus the Messiah. Each man's life is like that -- called from outside to come in toward the center, Jesus.
2. Regarding the judgement in Matthew 25:31-46, is there matching truth in the Beatitudes of Matthew ch. 5?
   1. Len: the King divides the sheep from the goats on the basis of pure hearts. That is, the sheep had pure hearts, and the goats did not.
   2. Ken: the persecution that comes when people mock you for serving the poor and doing the right thing.
3. Why would this silence of Jesus before Ponius Pilate be so stunning, so curious, to Pontius Pilate? What does it tell us?
   1. Bob: When Jesus stands mute, he is making no excuses, not making a cop out, volunteering nothing that can be twisted.
4. If the crucifixion was such a defeat (as the Enemy viewed it), then why does the angel feature it, saying "Jesus the crucified" when addressing the women in v. 5?
   1. Al: All you have to do is read the next verse!
5. Why does everybody keep telling the women not to be afraid?
   1. Dave: They still do not grasp the full concept of there Lord's resurrection.
   2. Ken: We'd probably be more like the guards, who feinted dead away!
   3. Al:The fact that there was an angel shows that God knew they'd need help to get across the bridge to understanding.
6. What were the women doing there at the tomb, anyway?
   1. Dave: corporal works of mercy.
   2. Len: Following the Torah faithfully, especially the command to love your neighbor as you love yourself.
7. When was the last time you hugged the feet of anyone?
   1. Al: Other than Publisher's Clearing House... X
   2. Len: It reminds you of Mary in the house of Lazarus. Martha was hustling and bustling with fixing the meal, but Mary sat at the Lord's feet to listen.

Image: Brooklyn Bridge in 1918.

We finish, we begin

This Thursday, we finish studying the gospel of Matthew, closing out with these remaining questions:

5. Fear thou not! Why does everybody keep telling the women not to be afraid?
6. What were the women doing there, anyway?
7. Just curious: When was the last time you hugged the feet of anyone?
8. What is the significance of Jesus rising on that particular day of the week?
9. Review the end of John's gospel for comparison. Matthew's account emphasizes something a bit more than John does. What is it?
10. Is baptism important for a Christian?

Though we finish Matthew's gospelthis Thursday morning, we also begin something new, if we desire to be a doer of the Word. Good.

What we found

Some of the more important comments and findings of the men this past Thursday morning:

1. The chief priests and Pharisees caused the Messiah's tomb to be sealed against mischief from dishonest disciples. Did their action, sealing the tomb, work for their purposes or for God's? Why did Matthew include this?(question #9 last Thursday)
   1. Len: This clarifies the position of the apostles. Later on, in Acts, one can then see the Holy Spirit really operating in the apostles.
   2. Bob: 2000 years later, we can understand their doubts.
   3. Scott: It is the literal details that make you sit up and take notice.
   4. St. John Chrysostom: But mark thou, I pray you, the disciples' love of truth, how they conceal from us none of the things that are said by His enemies, though they use opprobrious language.
2. If the crucifixion was such a defeat (as the Enemy viewed it), then why does the angel feature it, saying "Jesus the crucified" when addressing the women in v. 5? (question #3 last Thursday)
   1. Al: All you have to do is read the next verse!
   2. St. John Chrysostom: The angel is not ashamed to call Him "crucified" for this is the chief of the blessings.

A few questions from last week plus some new ones

We have a few questions from last week, and new ones concerning chapter 28.

9. The chief priests and Pharisees caused the Messiah's tomb to be sealed against mischief from dishonest disciples. Did their action, sealing the tomb, work for their purposes or for God's?
10. What basis do the chief priests and Pharisees have for expecting the eleven to steal a dead body?

PLUS

1. 
   When was the last time in this gospel that we saw someone whose appearance was like lightning?
2. Is there mention of the women actually going into the tomb or even peeking in?
3. If the crucifixion was such a defeat (as the Enemy viewed it), then why does the angel feature it, saying "Jesus the crucified" when addressing the women?
4. What is this business about being "fearful yet overjoyed" when the women left?
5. Fear thou not! Why does everybody keep telling the women not to be afraid?
6. What were the women doing there, anyway?
7. Just curious: When was the last time you hugged the feet of anyone?

Well, we have a lot to learn but looking at these questions will at least get us started early this Thursday morning.

The Crucifixion

We call it a sorrowful mystery, a sorrowful event, and rightly so. The crucifixion of the Messiah is the center of history. That being the case, we ought to look into it with patience, seeking the depths of its meaning. At the surface, we can begin with a few questions, viz.

1. The centurion and his squad declare, "Truly, this was the Son of God." Peter also made a similar declaration. How is Peter's declaration different from that of the centurion?
2. How many signs can you see in this description of the crucifixion?
3. These signs, here at the crucifixion, were there similar signs when He was walking the Earth? What does this tell you?
4. Based on your answer to the previous question, how ought the people of Jerusalem to have reacted to what they saw?
5. How did the centurion react, even after having heard all the jeering of the crowd and having supervised the actual nailing to the Cross?
6. At the death of the Messiah, Matthew uses a Greek verb, αφηκεν, to release, when Jesus released His spirit. It is a very commonly used in the ancient world and full of meaning. How does that verb signify the power of Jesus to the very end?
7. The veil in the Temple is rent in two. Does this signify disaster coming to the Temple or a good opening of the tabernacle to all?
8. Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the council, yet boldly went forward to claim the body of the Messiah. Does he remind you of anyone in this our day?
9. The chief priests and Pharisees caused the Messiah's tomb to be sealed against mischief from dishonest disciples. Did their action, sealing the tomb, work for their purposes or for God's?
10. What basis do the chief priests and Pharisees have for expecting the eleven to steal a dead body?

Let's look into this event and see what God the Father wants us to learn.

Findings about curious events in the Crucifixion

Here are some of the conclusions of the men last Thursday morning, concerning some of the questions:

1. Why would this silence be so stunning, so curious, to Pontius Pilate? What does it tell us?
   1. Bob: When Jesus stands mute, he is making no excuses, not making a cop out, volunteering nothing that can be twisted.
2. What was the factor that made Judas change his mind and throw the blood money back into the Temple?
   1. Jim: Perhaps Judas realized, "They have Jesus in deeper trouble than I thought it'd be."
3. What should be the true currency of the Church?
   1. Bob: Look at Matthew the crooked but wealthy tax collector. Matthew gave himself to Jesus.

The conclusion of the matter, the example that Matthew presents, is a great example of doing the Word.

We will dive deeper into chapter 27 this Thursday.

The curious incident of the dog in the night time

We occasionally refer to fictional works like the Shack during our study of the Bible, and today is another case of that: we will refer to a famous passage in a Sherlock Holmes story, "Silver Blaze," by Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes has unraveled a mystery for one Colonel Ross, in the rustic Dartmoor region of southern England, delivering the answer with this conversation between Holmes and Inspector Gregory...

Colonel Ross still wore an expression which showed the poor opinion which he had formed of my companion's ability, but I saw by the inspector's face that his attention had been keenly aroused.

"You consider that to be important?" he [Inspector Gregory] asked.

"Exceedingly so."

"Is there any point to which you would wish to draw my attention?"

"To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time."

"The dog did nothing in the night-time."

"That was the curious incident," remarked Sherlock Holmes.

We find other mysterious situations in Matthew's 27th chapter. Let's ask a few questions:

1. The curious incident of the Messiah before Pilate: Pilate repeats the accusations of the chief priests and elders, to which Jesus makes no reply, stunning the Roman governor. Why would this silence be so stunning, so curious, to Pontius Pilate? What does it tell us?
2. At the Crucifixion, the passersby railed at the Messiah, and flung the words of Jesus back in His face, words about rebuilding the Temple and saving others. Obviously some of them had seen Jesus at work and listened to His words, yet another curious incident. How should they have reacted to seeing the innocent man voluntarily being crucified?
3. Yet another curious incident: Judas does not change his mind when Jesus is first captured, but only later. What was the factor that made Judas change his mind and throw the blood money back into the Temple?
4. After Judas returns the silver pieces, he ends his actions permanently, but the chief priests and elders continued. What was different about the chief priests and elders, that they could continue?
5. Did the chief priests and elders know they had purchased murder?
6. Is Jesus Christ willing to be served by the gold and wealth coming from covetousness, crime and duplicity?
7. What should be the true currency of the Church?

Let's start our study this morning with these questions, asking the Lord for clear eyes to see His Word.

Questions

A few more questions to finish up ch. 26 of Matthew:

1. How does Jesus celebrate this new action, the Eucharist? With joy or with fear?
   
2. Why does Jesus initiate the new covenant from within the Passover celebration of the old covenant?
   
3. Why should the gospel include the accounts of the Twelve abandoning the Messiah in this time of suffering?
   
4. How is Peter's denial different from the actions of Judas?
   
5. Why did Jesus rebuke Peter for having a sword?

Ch. 26, Passover

We will continue our consideration of the Lord's exodus that began in Jerusalem on the evening before the Passover began, in ch. 26 of Matthew's gospel. For instance, we can consider some of these questions:

1. Why didn't Jesus or the Twelve own a condo in Jerusalem where they could have supper?
   
2. Jesus knew that his own suffering, death and resurrection would be THE paschal sacrifice, THE escape from Egyptland, THE true Passover of the Lord, so why did he keep the old timey ritual passover meal?
   
3. Why didn't Jesus cite his betrayer by name, Judas Iscariot, but only as "one of you," one of the Twelve?
   
4. Each of the Twelve asked himself, "This betrayer, is it I?" It is an honest question, given the circus stances. What godly property does this show, to have asked this question?
5. 
   Judas was a shameless traitor, eating at the table with the man he had already betrayed. Why does Jesus permit it?
   
6. St. Paul writes that "all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose." Is this Passover of the The Lord an example of what Paul described?
   
7. Who is to blame for the evil that Judas wrought, God for allowing Judas to be born or Judas himself?
   
8. Why wasn't Jesus in agony and suffering while at this Passover meal, instead of later, in the garden of Gethsemane?

How many thousands of questions can we ask of the Lord's passion? But we will start today with these few and see if the Lord's wisdom can penetrate our hearts.

Ch. 26, Holy Thursday, Good Friday

Today is Holy Thursday.

It is good that we are digging into Ch. 26 of Matthew's gospel, and we have all of last week's questions to work on, plus a few more:

1. Matthew writes, "When Jesus finished all these words..." and then Jesus points out that in two days will be a celebration, the Passover. How is the last part of "all these words" -- the last judgement of Matthew 25:31-46 -- related to the escape from Egyptland?
   
2. Why do these goombahs have to plot in secrecy?
   
3. Does the high priest Caiaphas fear the Lord more than the people of Jerusalem?
   
4. Jesus is a son of Abraham, a son of David. Who was it in the story of the Exodus that wanted to kill off the sons of Abraham?
   
5. Does the woman with the jar of perfumed oil have a malady of some kind?
   
6. When Moses died, did he have a public burial, with all the rituals, for all to see?
   
7. How would it come about that this woman acquires enduring fame, even though she is nameless?
   
8. Why does the gospel record the surname of Judas the betrayer?
   
9. WHy is it that Matthew even mentions the reproachful fact that Judas the betrayer is one of the Twelve? Is it necessary to the gospel message?
   
10. Oughtn't Jesus to have cut off Judas the betrayer long before this? Why didn't he do so?
    
11. Why could Jusus not have just forced the issue with Judas and turned him from the path of betrayal like He turned Paul on the way to Damascus?
    
12. Whom does the covetous man hate?

There are a lot of things to consider this morning, and it is a good thing that tomorrow is Good Friday.

 

Image: spikenard

Forward to chapter 26

We will continue working on last week's questions, #9 - #14,

9. How does it help the King to make the positive judgement first, for those on his right, and after that, to make his negative judgement?
   
10. What is the significance of the word inherit, compared to, for instance, in Ch. 9, where Jesus commands the healed man to take up his mat?
    
11. If a person does more than just to visit a prisoner, more than just to feed a hungry family, more than just to put a roof over a man's head, if a person does more than that, what kind of person is that? How would you describe that person?
    
12. For whom was the kingdom prepared? For whom was the eternal fire prepared?
    
13. Have you ever known someone who helped an enemy, someone who was down, even though under normal circumstances they would be persona non grata?
    
14. What does it tell you that Jesus left this last direct prophetic message as the last one before the events of crucifixion, starting in Ch. 26?
    

then push forward into the passion of the Messiah, chapter 26. For starters, here are a few questions to work with:

1. Matthew writes, "When Jesus finished all these words..." and then Jesus points out that in two days will be a celebration, the Passover. How is the last part of "all these words" -- the last judgement of Matthew 25:31-46 -- related to the escape from Egyptland?
   
2. Why do these goombahs have to plot in secrecy?
   
3. Does the high priest Caiaphas fear the Lord more than the people of Jerusalem?
   
4. Jesus is a son of Abraham, a son of David. Who was it in the story of the Exodus that wanted to kill off the sons of Abraham?
   
5. 
   Does the woman with the jar of perfumed oil have a malady of some kind?
   
6. When Moses died, did he have a public burial, with all the rituals, for all to see?
   
7. How would it come about that this woman acquires enduring fame, even though she is nameless?

Let's start with these questions today, maybe have some coffee, too, and ask the Holy Spirit to help us see into the perfect law of freedom, God's Word!

Deeper into the 25th chapter of Matthew

We finished last Thursday during a discussion of the Eucharist. We will extend that discussion today, plus a few more areas, viz.

1. How many individuals were involved in the parables of the vigilant handmaidens and the parable of the talents? How many in this prophetic description of the last judgement?
   
2. What effect is there from the presence of all his holy angels?
   
3. Jesus the King will separate the righteous from the unrighteous. Does that remind you of an parable of the kingdom?
   
4. Which is easier:
   1. to visit a prisoner, or
      
   2. to set the prisoner free?
5. Why didn't the ones on the King's left share their bread, their drink, their clothes, their presence?
   
6. Why does Jesus the King call them the "least" of his brothers?
   
7. Have you ever heard a story about a king who walked about in his kingdom disguised as a beggar? What is it about that kind of story that rouses your interest?
   
8. Can a poor man be on the King's right by reason of having shared something with another poor man? What could he share?
   
9. How does it help the King to make the positive judgement first, for those on his right, and after that, to make his negative judgement?
   
10. What is the significance of the word inherit, compared to, for instance, in Ch. 9, where Jesus commands the healed man to take up his mat?
    
11. If a person does more than just to visit a prisoner, more than just to feed a hungry family, more than just to put a roof over a man's head, if a person does more than that, what kind of person is that? How would you describe that person?
    
12. For whom was the kingdom prepared? For whom was the eternal fire prepared?
    
13. Have you ever known someone who helped an enemy, someone who was down, even though under normal circumstances they would be persona non grata?
    
14. What does it tell you that Jesus left this last direct prophetic message as the last one before the events of crucifixion, starting in Ch. 26?

Well, there is a lot to think about, a lot to take into our heart and execute. Let's have some coffee and talk it over this Thursday morning.

Findings

Findings from some of the Thursday morning questions, concerning the judgement in Matthew 25:31-46.

2. Is there matching truth in the Beatitudes of Matthew ch. 5?
   Len: the King divides the sheep from the goats on the basis of pure hearts. That is, the sheep had pure hearts, and the goats did not.
   
   Ken: the persecution that comes when people mock you for serving the poor and doing the right thing.
3. BRAIN-BURNER: Is there any place in the Old Testament that correlates with the actions that the Son of Man rewards?
   Len: the 4th commandment has a reward.
4. In all the actions rewarded by th Messiah, note that there is no teaching or preaching mentioned. Why is that?
   Al: As St. Francis said, sometimes the preaching of the gospel comes in with ones actions, as the King describes the actions of the righteous.
   
   Len: It's because Jesus is THE teacher; also because the Natural Law exists.

Thursday this week we will continue with discussion of the Eucharist.

The judgement of the nations, Matthew 25

We have a section of Matthew's gospel, ch. 25, verses 31-46, that is loaded with importance. Here are a few questions to help us look into it and put it into action:

1. How does the Our Father jibe with the judgement of the nations in this section?
2. Is there matching truth in the Beatitudes of Matthew ch. 5?
3. BRAIN-BURNER: Is there any place in the Old Testament that correlates with the actions that the Son of Man rewards?
4. In all the actions rewarded by th Messiah, note that there is no teaching or preaching mentioned. Why is that?
5. In the "make my day" miracle of healing, where the four men lowered their friend by ropes through the roof to Jesus, were they acting in the manner that finds reward in this section of Matthew's gospel?
6. What does this passage tell us about the Eucharist?

We are only walking in the foothills of this mountain, but these few questions can get our feet headed upward, especially if accompanied by some coffee this Thursday morning!

Doing the Word, March 7, 2012

I gave a word of encouragement to my son yesterday, on his way to school.

Finish ch. 24, dip forward to ch. 25 of Matthew's gospel.

We will take one more look into chapter 24 of Matthew's gospel early this Thursday morning, and then we will dip forward to chapter 25. Here are a few questions to use for studying and thinking ahead:

1. Is the fig tree here in chapter 24 a parable or something else?
   
2. Does this sprouting of the fig tree occur before, during or after the destruction of Jerusalem?
   
3. What would it be like, to be in the Lord's summertime?
   
4. Do fig trees always behave in this manner, sprouting leaves and so forth? How does that help Jesus form the Twelve?
   
5. Jesus is the Lord, the Alpha and the Omega. All time and all the ages belong to Him. Yet how is it that Jesus does not know the hour and day of His coming to the gates?
   
6. "A person who is damned to hell is damned because of the entire history of his entire family." ←← True or false?
   
7. "A person who is damned to hell can actually be damned accidentally, through no fault of their own." ←← True or false?
   
8. "Hell is temporary." ←← True or false?
   
9. In America, we hold that all men are created equal. Does this apply to the talents that each man has?
   
10. Why does God give talents in the way that He does?
    
11. When you enter God's joy, what will you be placed in charge of?
    
    
    

We can look into the perfect Torah of freedom, God's word, by thinking over these questions and discussing it all early on Thursday morning.

Onward in Ch. 24 of Matthew

Last Thursday, we looked into the Messiah's word about Jerusalem and its destruction. We will continue that look with a few more questions:

1. 
   Side question: Why doesn't Blessed John mention the destruction of Jerusalem in his gospel account?
   
2. Does Jesus skip a beat when describing the destruction of Jerusalem, THEN the signs of His coming?
   
3. When Jesus was born, it was fitting that a herald should precede Him, known as John the Baptizer. At His second coming, will that be necessary?
   
4. How is it that the stars are visible at night but not during the day?
   
5. What will the sign of the Son of Man actually look like?
   
6. What kind of sign would cause a person to mourn? What do people mourn, normally?
   
7. Why does the sign come first, then Jesus Himself on the clouds? Why not just Jesus Himself, without the sign?
   
8. Will the humiliation of going to confession be too grievous, too large a labor to have carried in 2012 when, some time in the future, that trumpet blast sounds?
   

We can begin preparing for the Holy Spirit to help us by thinking over these questions.

There's a river around here somewhere

From Isaiah,

See, I am doing something new!

Now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?

In the wilderness I make a way,

in the wasteland, rivers.

When my brother and I used to take Boy Scouts on hikes, we constantly had to urge them on, "Just a little bit farther," because my brother and I knew the trail. But if it had been in the desert, we might have said, "Yeah, there's a river around here somewhere." According to God's promise, He will place a river in the waste lands.

It makes me think of the four men in the gospel reading. "That Jesus guy has got to be in here somewhere. Let's pull up this roof and see what we can see." Action based on good faith, and their friend's sins were forgiven, with physical healing, too. Excellent

Continue in Ch. 24

We will continue to look into Ch. 24 of Matthew's Gospel today, starting with one leftover question from last week.

1. What is the abomination of desolation?
Now some new questions...
2. How will the Twelve prevail in the time of trouble? What trait will see them to victory?
   
3. What does it mean to preach as a witness, instead of preaching for belief?
   
4. True or false? The Roman army and the government of Rome was very hospitable and accommodating to the Twelve and other early apostles.
   
5. If the people of Jerusalem could be expected to return safely, would they be asked to take their clothes and other belongings when escaping? What does Jesus communicate in this direction, to drop everything?
6. Why does God allow grievous destruction of Jerusalem but not a total wipe out of the people of Jerusalem?
7. Side question: WHy doesn't Blessed John mention the destruction of Jerusalem in his gospel account?
8. Does Jesus skip a beat when describing the destruction of Jerusalem, THEN the signs of His coming?
9. When Jesus was born, it was fitting that a herald should precede Him, known as John the Baptizer. At His second coming, will that be necessary?
   

We will get to work with these and a few other questions, asking the Holy Spirit to help us, this early morning.

Woe and the beginning of sorrows

Woe to the Pharisees, sayeth the Lord (Matthew 23). But would any of us escape the same scrutiny? Here are a few questions we could usefully ask:

1. Can one make a useful set of questions, an examination of conscience, from these words of the Lord, as a preparation for the sacrament of confession?
   

   ---

   Now some questions about Matthew 24:
2. Did the Twelve expect to escape trouble?
3. What is the nature of the trouble that is coming? Who is it that comes against Jerusalem and the Church?
4. WHo has love, that their love maybe can go cold?
5. Will love exist in those who preach this gospel of the kingdom perseveringly?
6. What is the abomination of desolation?
   

It is an interesting admonition to persevere. As St. John Chrysostom wrote:

O strange and wonderful facts! Countless myriads of Jews did the Romans then subdue, and they did not prevail over twelve men fighting against them naked and unarmed. What language can set forth this miracle?

More about the parable of the vineyard

We are looking into Matthew, Chapter 21. Tomorrow we will consider the parable of the vineyard. A few questions stir up the mind:

1. Which of the two sons from the previous parable work in this second parable's vineyard?
2. God did not go into a far country; He is always present. But what does that mean in the parable, that God "went on a journey" in v. 33?
3. What is the fruit that God seeks from this vineyard?
4. By the way, who was it that actually did all the heavy lifting to make this vineyard? And who is it that benefits from it?

With some coffee and discussion, we will dive into the meaning of this second parable tomorrow morning.

January 5 questions

Now that we have passed the Christmas celebration, we dive back into the 21st chapter of Matthew, starting with the parable of the two sons. Here are a few questions to jump start your brain from two weeks of hibernation:

1. 
   Which of the two sons talks a good game?
2. Which sone causes most trouble?
3. Which son needed more of God's grace to carry out his actions?
4. Which sone needed to go to confession?
5. Which son could have been a member of the den of thieves, and which son could have been welcome in the house of prayer?
6. To which son could the chief priests and elders be compared?
7. Which son was like the Israelites after they escaped through the Red Sea?
8. What is the function of John the Baptizer in this parable?
9. Were the IRS men and prostitutes more like the first son or the second son?

These questions plus some coffee will help us gaze into God's perfect Torah of freedom tomorrow morning.