Matthew 15: God looks at the heart.

Some of the comments from the men this past Thursday morning, early.

Comments from the men concerning Jesus' offer of two laws to follow and carry out, vs. a huge pile of religious laws piled on top of God's Torah.

Signs

Whilst discussing Matthew's tenth chapter,

...do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

we discussed examples of God sending a word via a human being. It brings to mind the writing of St. Teresa of Avila, who wrote about three signs that a word is from God:

1. Sense of power and authority in the word
2. Great tranquility in the soul
3. the word does not vanish quickly from the memory.

Yesterday, Deacon Al had occasion to describe this third sign, viz.

How does love comprehend faith and works?

We discussed the relationship between faith and works yesterday morning. Here is a short discussion that wraps it up well.

Jude and James

We read the letter of Jude this past Thursday, with its exhortation concerning faith. Jude asked the church to ignore the scandalous actions of a small group of interfering men, and build on solid rock with actions that show faith, such as the works of mercy.

This is entirely consistent with the Messiah's own message concerning the fig tree, which we studied in Mark's gospel recently. German, Ken, Len, Scott and Joe have a good explanations. Here are Ken, Scott and Len:



On Thursday, May 13, we will start studying the letter of James.

The betrayal event

This morning, we discussed the emphasis on the cup of salvation in Mark 14:22-25, and how Mark devotes so many more words to it than he devotes to the one bread. After looking through Psalms 116 and 118, and re-examining the passages before and after Mark 14:22-25, we decided that Mark was emphasizing the cup in the middle of the betrayal event, all the betrayal and abandoning and the difficult prayer in Gethsemane.

It is curious that Jesus can sing the psalms of praise, the Hallel psalms, Psalms 113-118, in the midst of such a trap. Yet that is exactly what he does, the sacrifice of praise. The stone that was rejected became the cornerstone.

German describes an example in the life of St. Vincent de Paul, concerning a similar sacrifice in the midst of abandonment and betrayal.

Jesus the Lamb

We discussed the plan of God the Father that the promised Lamb should be sacrificed in the Passover that year, recorded by Mark in his gospel. It was a promise long time coming.

Keep watch.

We spent a long time discussing the meaning of keeping watch. Here are some words from Sal, Len, Joe and German.

Get ready a little bit.

This morning we discussed the action of the Holy Spirit in time of trouble, starting in Mark 13:9-11, with our own examples including this one from German.

Rachel's Vineyard

There will be a Rachel's Vineyard workshop for women in about a month, Nov. 13-15. We plan to generate some more support for the healing program. Joe gives a run down on what they need. Good.

A lesson from the fig tree

Len works his way with us through the main lesson of the fig tree.

Faith, the Temple and a fig tree

We discussed the anomalous fig tree. Jesus cursed it, even though it was not in season for fruit. What does that signify for us as we study the lecture notes from Peter's School of Evangelism?

Faith that makes its power felt

We look again at faith, Sept. 24, and how it makes its power felt.

What is the depth of your faith?

We discussed the prayer of the dad who interceded for his beloved son, "Help my unbelief!"



German also discusses faith transformation in our parish outreach, Christ Renews His Parish.

What is the mission of the Twelve?

We know that the Twelve are not functioning yet at genius levels with the gospel message. But what is the eventual mission of the Twelve?

When are you ready to jump?

We spent time yesterday discussing the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment, and focused on her GO decision, when she cut through the crowd and without permission went to touch the hem of the Lord's clothes.

Deacon Alfonsus Magnus also discussed his decision to make the leap to the permanent diaconate.

Physical contact with the Messiah

We had a long discussion throughout this morning's session about physical contact with Jesus, starting with the record in Mark 5 of the woman who touched the hem of Jesus' garment. Then we applied it to our own lives.

Water for a parable and water for teaching

Len comments upon the water in the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus taught using parables:

1. why it is useful in the parable
2. why it is useful for Jesus as he teaches the parable.

About the Holy Spirit's power

Joe reads a footnote on the subject of the Holy Spirit.

Make my day, Mark 2:8-11

Ken reads the "make my day" section, Mark 2:8-11, using the National Enquirer translation of the New Testament, which is popular in his old stomping grounds, Nordonia, Ohio.