Asking questions can definitely spell trouble. Sometimes an inquiry can
be perceived as challenging or combative, even if we just want to know.
Sound like I've been there...well, yes. But these questions are Bible questions, and occasionally I'll be posting some for your comments...
1. Did Jesus wait to see who the Holy Ghost would anoint to say "You
are the Christ, the Son of the living God!", before He handed over the keys to the kingdom?
(Peter's response to Jesus' question "Who do YOU (the apostles) say
that I am?") To which Jesus said (paraphrased), "You didn't think THAT
up yourself, it was given to you by the Holy Spirit." Didn't Jesus wait on the Father to see who He would give those words to say? Didn't have
to be Peter. (Just thinking.)
2. Likewise, did it HAVE to be Judas? Someone had to be the betrayer, but did it have to be Judas Iscariot? Was he marked from birth in some way, or was he just the person to whom satan found easy entry? It is stated very clearly that, at the last supper, satan entered him, and he went out to betray Jesus. For some reason, he was easy prey. Bad attitude? Sin of greed or power?
The movie "Jesus of Nazareth" showed Judas to be disappointed and angry over Jesus' refusal to be a wordly "king". Did that make him vulnerable to such a heinous act?
(Just asking.)
Monday, February 24, 2014
St. Paul
For a long time I couldn't understand much of what St. Paul wrote.
Most of us know his verse that's read at weddings "love is patient,
love is kind"...etc. , but not much more. Neither did I.
However, the more I heard him quoted (from various sources), the more
I began to read and experience the meanings behind his powerful words.
I realized I'd better "listen up" where Paul was concerned, because he
was chosen specifically by Jesus Christ to teach the Gentiles (us) what
He was all about. And teach he does.There is an urgency in Paul that I've only recently perceived-an urgency which produces the most remarkable statements and insights that cannot help but demand our attention.
These verses are mixed in with concerns about daily life, and directions
for the Churches. Suddenly, as if Christ is whispering in his ear, he writes:"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ, not..." and he goes through every possibile trouble we could endure, and finishes with..."Nor height nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I'd heard this before, and thought "Yeah, I know He loves me, I guess.
At least in theory." No! What Paul means is that Christ's love for us is so great right now, that no matter what happens, or what we feel, or
what we think, His love is trying to get through to us, beaming down like the sun. We can't always sense it or let it through, but it EXISTS, nonetheless.
So much more to be said about St. Paul's message, but that's for another time. Read!
Most of us know his verse that's read at weddings "love is patient,
love is kind"...etc. , but not much more. Neither did I.
However, the more I heard him quoted (from various sources), the more
I began to read and experience the meanings behind his powerful words.
I realized I'd better "listen up" where Paul was concerned, because he
was chosen specifically by Jesus Christ to teach the Gentiles (us) what
He was all about. And teach he does.There is an urgency in Paul that I've only recently perceived-an urgency which produces the most remarkable statements and insights that cannot help but demand our attention.
These verses are mixed in with concerns about daily life, and directions
for the Churches. Suddenly, as if Christ is whispering in his ear, he writes:"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ, not..." and he goes through every possibile trouble we could endure, and finishes with..."Nor height nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
I'd heard this before, and thought "Yeah, I know He loves me, I guess.
At least in theory." No! What Paul means is that Christ's love for us is so great right now, that no matter what happens, or what we feel, or
what we think, His love is trying to get through to us, beaming down like the sun. We can't always sense it or let it through, but it EXISTS, nonetheless.
So much more to be said about St. Paul's message, but that's for another time. Read!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Is This Funny?...
After a few years of reading the Bible, some stories stand out as, well, sort of..............duh!
Failures in Diplomacy:
Poor Joseph (Old Testament), needed some counseling about diplomacy in hostile territory. MAYBE it's not the best idea to tell ten brothers that already hate you that you've dreamed they are bowing down to you. Twice.
MAYBE it's not the best idea to tell the ruling King of Israel that a NEW KING was being born in Bethlehem, and that you were going there to worship him. I mean, couldn't they figure that one out? Nope. Once again, a dream. (Magi..1 AD.)
Like Father like son:
Do you know the story of Abraham in Egypt, when he claimed Sarah was his sister, and gave her over to the King's harem? God intervened by cluing the King in via a dream, and Sarah was returned.
Anyway, did you know that Jacob, Abraham's son, did the EXACT same thing with his wife, Rachel? Yup-took her to Egypt, claimed she was his sister, etc.
BUt, hey. All's well that ends well. They both came out ahead.
Failures in Diplomacy:
Poor Joseph (Old Testament), needed some counseling about diplomacy in hostile territory. MAYBE it's not the best idea to tell ten brothers that already hate you that you've dreamed they are bowing down to you. Twice.
MAYBE it's not the best idea to tell the ruling King of Israel that a NEW KING was being born in Bethlehem, and that you were going there to worship him. I mean, couldn't they figure that one out? Nope. Once again, a dream. (Magi..1 AD.)
Like Father like son:
Do you know the story of Abraham in Egypt, when he claimed Sarah was his sister, and gave her over to the King's harem? God intervened by cluing the King in via a dream, and Sarah was returned.
Anyway, did you know that Jacob, Abraham's son, did the EXACT same thing with his wife, Rachel? Yup-took her to Egypt, claimed she was his sister, etc.
BUt, hey. All's well that ends well. They both came out ahead.
Sunday, February 2, 2014
"The Journey Home"
For those who do not know,"The Journey Home" is a program on EWTN (Eternal Word Television Network), the Catholic station. (By the way, other than the Mormons, the Catholics are the only denomination to have it's own station.) This show was very instrumental in bringing me back to the Church. Here's why...
As I was flipping through stations, I saw a handsome 40-ish man speaking intently to a beautiful young woman. Just out of curiosity, I stopped and watched. They were talking about her conversion from the Episcopal Church to the Catholic Church. He (Marcus Grodi) was asking pointed questions concerning the reasons for her conversion. My first thought was "Oh come on-someone is actually converting TO CATHOLICISM? I've got to see this...."
You must understand, most Catholics I'd ever known were running AWAY from the Church, not TO it. Running away in droves, I might add. After my initial shock, I was intrigued. Her answers to Marcus' questions were simple-familiar to those of us brought up in the Faith: The presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the power of the Sacraments, Mary, the Saints, etc. She was extremely educated and intelligent, studying for her Phd in Theology. Her conclusion was that Christianity WAS Catholicism.
I thought about it, and began watching every week. The main appeal for me was it's intellectual tone. Guests gave very specific, rational reasons for their conversion (or RE-VERSION). For the most part, Marcus' guests were articulate, often students of Biblical history. Since I am one who must know "why", I discovered much about my own Faith. Sometimes it is a CONVERT who can show us the clearest picture of what we cannot see for ourselves. Things Catholics take for granted are new to them, and their beauty and truth is evident.
One caveat. If you are angry at the Church; if your mind is not open, this must be dealt with, first. I was not angry, just indifferent. I had come to understand that Christ was the key to our lives, but was still searching.
Please make "The Journey Home" a part of your tv schedule. Your Faith will be strengthened in so many ways. Marcus Grodi is an expert on extracting the exact thought, the exact moment that brought the speaker to the Church. Besides, I like a good story.
As I was flipping through stations, I saw a handsome 40-ish man speaking intently to a beautiful young woman. Just out of curiosity, I stopped and watched. They were talking about her conversion from the Episcopal Church to the Catholic Church. He (Marcus Grodi) was asking pointed questions concerning the reasons for her conversion. My first thought was "Oh come on-someone is actually converting TO CATHOLICISM? I've got to see this...."
You must understand, most Catholics I'd ever known were running AWAY from the Church, not TO it. Running away in droves, I might add. After my initial shock, I was intrigued. Her answers to Marcus' questions were simple-familiar to those of us brought up in the Faith: The presence of Christ in the Eucharist, the power of the Sacraments, Mary, the Saints, etc. She was extremely educated and intelligent, studying for her Phd in Theology. Her conclusion was that Christianity WAS Catholicism.
I thought about it, and began watching every week. The main appeal for me was it's intellectual tone. Guests gave very specific, rational reasons for their conversion (or RE-VERSION). For the most part, Marcus' guests were articulate, often students of Biblical history. Since I am one who must know "why", I discovered much about my own Faith. Sometimes it is a CONVERT who can show us the clearest picture of what we cannot see for ourselves. Things Catholics take for granted are new to them, and their beauty and truth is evident.
One caveat. If you are angry at the Church; if your mind is not open, this must be dealt with, first. I was not angry, just indifferent. I had come to understand that Christ was the key to our lives, but was still searching.
Please make "The Journey Home" a part of your tv schedule. Your Faith will be strengthened in so many ways. Marcus Grodi is an expert on extracting the exact thought, the exact moment that brought the speaker to the Church. Besides, I like a good story.
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