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.

Exam question 7, answers

Answers from the James final exam:

7. Make a judgement call: Which sacrament is tops for following James' admonition, to be a doer of the Word?

It was an interesting set of answers:

1. Baptism: one student made this his answer.
2. Eucharist: one student made this his answer.
3. Holy Orders: one student made this his answer.
4. Confession: →FIVE students made this their answer.

Each answer is kosher, but this last big answer, confession, is an intriguing answer, and a good answer, especially when considering the Lord's own prayer. Good.

Exam scores

I had to use x-ray vision to read the handwriting of some of those exams, but the scores are IN.

Thursday Morning Men's Bible Study earned an A+ on the James final exam. Nice work.

Questions concerning the perfect Law of freedom in the letter to the Hebrews

Our next section of the Bible is the letter to the Hebrews, starting on page 569. It is loaded with wisdom.

1. Read the opening two verses of chapter 1, "In times past, God spoke..." What parable in the Gospels compare to these two verses?
2. Now look at the first part of v. 3. Which Gospel begins with concepts like v. 3 of Hebrews?
3. In v. 4, there is mention of the name. Which letter of Paul has a beautiful passage about the name above all other names, to the glory of God the Father?

We are just getting started! It is going to be a big exciting job to look into this part of the perfect Law of freedom.

But to start the day, we will have a 15 minute final examination on James' letter to us. Bring a pen or pencil and be ready to think.

Answers from final exam!

Some of the answers from the 1 Peter final exam:

3. What is an example of everyday spiritual sacrifice that a member of the royal priesthood can offer to God in this our day?
   Answers:
   1. Love one another.
   2. corporal works of mercy
   3. celebrate Mass
5. What is the most valuable lesson you learned from Peter in this letter?
   Answers:
   1. Evil happens that good may come out of it.
   2. Trust God.
   3. God the Father spoke to Peter directly.
   4. We are aliens in this world. We must work to keep away from earthly desires, wage war against the evil one, maintain good conduct, do good works and be Christ's feet, hands, eyes and ears.

Question 4 asked what Peter's examples were for being stewards of God's manifold grace. The options were

1. serving, with the strength that God Himself gives
2. figuring out calculus equations
3. going on a nice cruise to the Bahamas
4. retiring to Florida or Nordonia, Ohio

Curiously, no one selected options B, C or D. :)

Even though option B seems facetious, I include it as a serious point, that our covenant is available to little children, so it is not something that only an egghead scientist can savvy. It is simple enough for little ones to hold, yet lofty enough to rest the eloquent St. Thomas Aquinas. Good.

Final exam

This Thursday we will have our final exam on 1 Peter. It will be one page of multiple choice and regular questions, so bring a pen or pencil. As always, it is "open book" and this includes the Nordonia translation if necessary.