tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48041111649495047162024-03-13T22:14:02.103-07:00Bible Tidbits- To take you a tid-bit deeper into Scripture -
Usually updated every week.Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-54363304080849433922024-02-22T11:52:00.000-08:002024-02-22T11:52:23.773-08:00 Memorize the Books of the Bible!<p> Click Below! 7 Songs to help you memorize the books of the Bible!</p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLevLURjW6s8JYd9JpBM4gA1ZNyStuu-mn" target="_blank">Memorize the Books of the Bible!</a><br /></p>Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-61725446023199419912019-09-14T10:14:00.001-07:002019-09-14T10:14:23.322-07:00Discipleship and Our Three Vocations<h4 style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255) !important; border-bottom-color: gray; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-image: initial; border-left-color: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-color: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-color: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif !important; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 8px !important; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 15px; padding-bottom: 1px !important; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px !important; text-transform: capitalize !important; width: 475px;">
Gospel<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/bible/luke/14:25" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-image: initial; border-left-style: initial; border-right-style: initial; border-top-style: initial; border-width: 0px; color: #008061; float: right; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; letter-spacing: 1.2px; line-height: normal; margin: 1px 0px 0px; outline: none; padding: 1px 0px; text-decoration-line: none; text-transform: uppercase;">LK 14:25-33</a></h4>
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<a href="http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/090819.cfm">http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/090819.cfm</a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333;">Great crowds were traveling with Jesus,</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">and he turned and addressed them,</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><b style="color: #333333;">“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, </b><b><span style="color: #333333;">he </span><span style="color: red;">cannot be my disciple.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333;">Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me </span><span style="color: red;">cannot be my disciple.</span></b><span style="color: #333333;">Which of you wishing to construct a tower</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">does not first sit down and calculate the cost</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">to see if there is enough for its completion?</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">Otherwise, after laying the foundation</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">and finding himself unable to finish the work</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">the onlookers should laugh at him and say,</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">‘This one began to build but did not have the resources to finish.’</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">Or what king marching into battle would not first sit down</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">and decide whether with ten thousand troops</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">he can successfully oppose another king</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">advancing upon him with twenty thousand troops?</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">But if not, while he is still far away,</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><span style="color: #333333;">he will send a delegation to ask for peace terms.</span><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><b style="color: #333333;">In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions </b><b><span style="color: red;">cannot be my disciple</span></b><b style="color: #333333;">.”</b></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><u>For background information consult </u></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://bibletidbits.blogspot.com/2010/02/prayer-fasting-alms-and-lent.html" target="_blank">Pray, Fast, and Give Alms in Lent</a></div>
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Above in Luke Jesus gives us three disqualifying factors of discipleship.</div>
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<ol style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", Times, serif; font-size: 13px;">
<li>If we love ourselves or others more than we love Jesus</li>
<li>If we don't carry our cross</li>
<li>If we don't renounce our possessions</li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">This reading seems tied into Jesus' command to pray, fast, and give alms (see above link)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">The easiest one to see is the renunciation of our possessions or conquering of Lust of the Eyes - this one goes with giving alms.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">The next one would be the love of ourselves and those closest to us, this would deal with the Lust of the Flesh - which is conquered by fasting. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Finally, the Pride of Life is conquered by carrying our cross. Pride makes us want to do our own will, but as Jesus said before carrying His cross - not My will, but thy will be done. This pride can only be mastered through prayer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, Times, serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">IN BRIEF</span></span></div>
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<b style="color: #333333;">“If anyone comes to me without hating his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, </b><b><span style="color: #333333;">he </span><span style="color: red;">cannot be my disciple.</span><span style="color: blue;"> - Cutting your ties from earthly relations so as to bind yourself to heavenly ones - through fasting</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: #333333;">Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me </span><span style="color: red;">cannot be my disciple.</span></b><b><span style="color: blue;">- Insisting on your own will in imitation of the Devil is only solved through prayer</span></b><br style="font-size: 12px;" /><b style="color: #333333;">In the same way, anyone of you who does not renounce all his possessions </b><b><span style="color: red;">cannot be my disciple</span></b><b style="color: #333333;">.” </b><b><span style="color: blue;">- We cannot serve two masters, both Christ and money/possessions. A time will come when we will be leaving our possessions anyway in death, so why let them tie us down to this world. Cut the strings to that our hearts and minds can possess heavenly treasures.</span></b></div>
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Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-103814943379697232019-09-14T09:47:00.001-07:002019-09-14T09:47:21.196-07:00Some References to the Trinity?I am totally speculating here. I would definitely NOT use these as in any apologetic argument. I am simply putting these here as a reminder for me to maybe later put them in my apologetic/catechetical/spiritual/application Bible.<br /><br />
<b>EXAMPLE 1</b><br />
As the spiritual leader in my home (not a very good one). I sometimes bless my children before bed as my father/mother blessed me;<br />
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"God bless you with a happy life, a happy death, and peace in mind."<br />
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Someone suggested that I use the prayer from Numbers 6:24-26 (RSV;SCE)<br />
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<i> The LORD bless you and keep you: </i><br />
<i> The LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: </i><br />
<i> The LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. </i><br />
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I noticed that it mentioned the LORD (Yahweh) three times. I wonder if this is a little reference to the Trinity?<br />
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I remembered what the Catechism of the Catholic Church said:<br />
<b>CCC 1078</b> Blessing is a divine and life-giving action, <b>the source of which is the Father</b>; his blessing is both word [Jesus is the WORD] and gift [The Holy Spirit is the Gift of the Father].<br />
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Then I noticed how in verse 25 it mentions the face of the LORD and I thought of course of Jesus's face. (It does mention his face again in 26 [countenance], so that kind of throws a wrench in the whole deal). But the triple reference made me think of the Trinity.<br />
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<i> The LORD </i>[Father] <i>bless you and keep you: </i><br />
<i> The LORD </i>[Son]<i> </i><i>make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you: </i><br />
<i> The LORD </i>[Holy Spirit]<i> </i><i>lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. </i><br />
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<b>EXAMPLE 2</b><br />
While reading <b>Genesis 1:27</b> I thought of something similar.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>So God created man in his own image, </i><br />
<i>in the image of God he created him; </i><br />
<i>male and female he created them.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Why the triple reference to one event. Then I remembered the Catechism:<br />
<b>CCC 292 </b>The Old Testament suggests and the New Covenant reveals the creative action of the Son and the Spirit, inseparably one with that of the Father. This creative cooperation is clearly affirmed in the Church’s rule of faith: “There exists but one God … he is the Father, God, the Creator, the author, the giver of order. He made all things by himself, that is, by his Word and by his Wisdom,” “by the Son and the Spirit” who, so to speak, are “his hands.” <i>Creation is the common work of the Holy Trinity</i>.<br />
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So again, speculating...<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>So God </i>[Father]<i> created man in his own image, </i><br />
<i>in the image of God he </i>[Son] <i>created him; </i><br />
<i>male and female he</i>[Holy Spirit]<i> created them.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b>EXAMPLE 3</b><br />
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<b>Mark 1:1-3</b><br />
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.<br />
As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,<br />
<i>“Behold, I send my messenger before your face, </i><br />
<i>who shall prepare your way; </i>(Micah 3:1)<br />
<i>the voice of one crying in the wilderness: </i>(Isaiah 40:3)<br />
<i>Prepare the way of the Lord, </i><br />
<i>make his paths straight—”</i><br />
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Again, speculating... but it does mention a road/path three times.<br />
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<i>“Behold, I send my messenger </i>[John the Baptist]<i> before your face, </i><br />
<i>who shall prepare <u>your</u> </i>[Father] <i><u>way</u>; </i>(Micah 3:1)<br />
<i>the voice of one crying in the wilderness: </i>(Isaiah 40:3)<br />
<i>Prepare the <u>way of the Lord </u></i>[Son]<i> </i><i>, </i><br />
<i>make <u>his</u> </i>[Holy Spirit]<i> </i><i><u>paths </u>straight—”</i><br />
<br />
Done. Unless you have seen some others, I would be curious.<br />
<br />Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-32350972772003042822019-09-14T03:53:00.002-07:002019-09-14T03:53:40.982-07:00Genesis 3:21 - God Clothes Our First Parents and Us.In <b>Genesis 3:21</b> we read this:<br />
And the LORD God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins, and clothed them. (RSV:SCE)<br />
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The setting of this event is The Garden of Eden. This is after they have eaten of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, realized that they were naked and then clothed themselves with fig leaves.<br />
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Just thinking this through a little, you never see any art-work of this event. God provides garments of skins. Where did he get them? Were they donated by some animal? Probably not.<br /><br />It would seem that God himself provides the sacrifice (Genesis 22:7) and spills the blood of this animal in The Garden to cloth our first parents.<br />
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We now fast-forward to Our Dear Lord and see how this is taken up and fulfilled in Himself.<br />
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<b>John 19:41</b> Now in the place where he [Jesus] was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid.<br />
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Now I am sure that there is also some significance to Jesus sweating blood in the Garden of Olives and a hundred more connections but I am just pointing out this one.<br />
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St. Paul makes the next two connections:<br />
<b>Romans 6:3-4</b> Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Galatians 3:27</b> For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.<br />
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In conclusion, just as an animal was sacrificed in The Garden of Eden to clothe our first parents, so Christ is sacrificed in a garden to clothe us.<br />
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See also Romans 13:14 and Colossians 3:12<br />
<br />Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-25747609452851010732017-12-21T10:45:00.001-08:002017-12-21T10:45:08.917-08:00The Greatest Gift You Can Give For ChristmasChristmas is kind of funny because it is the only birthday where the person whose birthday we are celebrating doesn't get gifts. Are far as friends and relatives are concerned some people go into debt to get someone the ultimate gift.<br />
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But what is the greatest gift that you can give anyone ever? Consider that whatever you buy at the corner store, Walmart, or the BMW store will satisfy a person only for so long. That LEGO that you son NEEDS will only be pleasing for days or years. Is there anything that you can give someone that will help them forever. Yes.<br />
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WHAT MAKES SOMETHING THE ULTIMATE GIFT?<br />
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That which brings about the greatest happiness, even if it hurts. Let me give you an example: A person has a terrible disease and you pay for them to fly to a country where they can treat the problem and undergo multiple painful surgeries with the hope of being cured. YOU are the one who paid for the doctor to cut on them, and I bet they would thank you for the opportunity with the final result of being cured in mind. YET, you would hurt financially <span style="background-color: #f6d5d9;">from </span>the expenses, they would hurt physically and yet both would be rewarded; you with the satisfaction that helped your friend and they with the healing and the comfort of having such a good friend.<br />
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THE ULTIMATE GIFT!!!<br />
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That is you, being in a right relationship with God, and being a channel of grace for that person to help them get to heaven.<br />
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WHY IS THIS THE BEST GIFT?<br />
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Not only will you have a sure hope for heaven, but you will be a good example for whomever you meet and a place where people can come in contact with God. uncle Frank might have bought them a car, yes, but you with your prayers, good example, and counsel helped get them to see the face of God forever. I am not saying that Uncle Frank's car isn't important. It is important and thanks be to God for that, but the car will probably need replacing someday. The blessing that you can be to someone can pave the road to eternity which will last forever.<br />
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WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO?<br />
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#1 Believe what God says. God went through the trouble of becoming man, dying for our sins, rising, and sending the Holy Spirit to start the Catholic Church to help you get to heaven. If you have trouble believing - beg God for the grace to believe. "God help me believe!"<br />
#2 Get right with God. Go to Confession often (once a month at least, or every two weeks to be in line for any indulgence). Saying you are sorry is the first step in fixing any relationship.<br />
#3 Do what God says - be concerned with pleasing God first. Your new girlfriend isn't the one who decides if you get into heaven or not. The world and world governments change laws all the time. Follow God's laws, those are the ones that matter first.<br />
#4 Pray and talk to God. Don't have time? Prioritise. Put God before all else. Don't know what to say? Learn how to pray by praying the Psalms in the Bible or other good Catholic prayer books, or just talk to God like I am talking to you now. Just talk. But make sure you have some time for a little silence so you can listen as well.<br />
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HEY - My 4 points are like the 4 parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, Prayer.<br />
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Then you will be a blessing to everyone, especially to those whom you love; through your prayers, works, and joys.<br /><br />Merry Christmas!Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-36425653434862199612017-11-29T20:06:00.001-08:002017-11-29T20:06:38.032-08:00Gluttony Part 1<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">(A summary of Adolphe Tanquerey's section on gluttony in his book, The Spiritual Life) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">St. Gregory Said:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Unless we first tame the enemy dwelling within us (gluttony) we have not even stood up to engage in the spiritual combat. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">St. Paul said:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For many walk…that are enemies of the cross of Christ whose end is destruction and whose god is their belly. Philippians 3:18, 19</span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">A simple definition of gluttony is - eating for its own sake</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Delight to excess in 4 ways</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eating when there is no need</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Seeking delicacies</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gorging oneself with food</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Eating with eagerness or greed (like an animal)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large; font-weight: 700; text-align: center;">Gluttony is malicious because it makes:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The soul a slave to the body</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Man like a brute animal</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">His intellectual life weak</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">His moral life weak<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A path to voluptuous pleasure</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Gluttony is <u>grievous</u> when:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">A) we can’t fulfill our duties <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Injury to health<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Cause of useless expenses <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Can’t provide for the family<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Violate laws of fast and abstinence <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">B) the cause other grievous faults<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Lust of other senses<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Intemperance of speech</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Gluttony is <u>venial</u> when you:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Overeat but not gravely<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Overeating to show a friend you enjoy their food.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">It is an obstacle to perfection because it causes:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A spirit of immortification<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Weakened will<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A development for love for sensual pleasure<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">A source of being too talkative</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some Remedies to overcome Gluttony</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Principle – the pleasure of eating is not an end in itself but a means to an end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: large;">Reason alone tells us that we should only eat what is necessary for the body but </span><span style="font-size: large;">Faith tells us – pleasure of eating and drinking must be sanctified by three things:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Purity of intention</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Moderation</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;">Mortification</span></li>
</ol>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">A) Intention <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Gratitude - we should give thanks for what we have received<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Humility – we don’t deserve it because of our sins<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Love – we renew our strength at the service of God and our neighbor's soul.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Whether you eat or drink…do all to the glory of God. – St. Paul</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">B) Moderation<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Acquire strength needed to fulfill our duties in life<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Avoid excess that might compromise health<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Leave the table with sprightliness and vigor<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">C) Mortification <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Eating something we dislike<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Taking no meal without the element of mortification<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Forego certain foods we like</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<span style="font-size: large;">NOTE - These are just little notes that I have started carrying with me to help avoid this sin.</span></div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-7074707042469929392017-11-01T21:07:00.003-07:002017-11-01T21:07:29.949-07:00The Root of Every Heresy<span style="font-size: large;">"History doesn't repeat itself, but it sure does rhyme." said <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;">Wittreich.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Reading Genesis 1-3, implied is the first heresy proposed by the devil, taught convincingly by Eve, and obeyed by Adam.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">How did this come about and how does every heresy follow this pattern.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;">We begin with Adam who created first by God in Genesis 2 and given the commandment. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="text Gen-2-16" id="en-DRA-47" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box;"><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">Genesis 2:16 </span>And he commanded him, saying: Of every tree of paradise thou shalt eat:</span><span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">17 </span>But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat. For in what day soever thou shalt eat of it, thou shalt die the death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Only after this does God make eve from Adam's side. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When we hear this commandment spoken by Eve to the serpent she says Genesis 3:<span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">3 "</span>But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of paradise, God hath commanded us that we should not eat; <b>and that we should not touch it</b>, lest perhaps we die."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now GOING BY THE TEXT ALONE (yet not sola scriptura), Adam was the only one who heard the commandment so it must have been he that spoke it to her. Adam is the first prophet. Yet, there is that added part "don't touch it even." Now here is not the place to get into the legitimacy of Adam adding to the rules that God set down. He very well may have had the authority to do that. Jesus told us to fast, but the Church says what days, how, and for how long and She can do that because Jesus gave her that authority. So let's say that Adam has that authority to put a type of (verbal) wall around the tree so as to ensure the safety. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">But look what happens, Eve begins listening to another voice (the devil's) and believes that the NEW message she is now receiving is true and the old one is false. She then becomes a prophet for the devil and begins preaching his message. We know this because Genesis 3:<span class="versenum" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;">17 "</span>And to Adam he[God] said: Because thou hast hearkened to the voice of thy wife," </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">When was that? When did he listen to his wife? There is some conversation that is lost to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">She does this because she thinks that the message is good. But by believing this message and rejecting the original one she is suggesting that Adam is in fact a false prophet who represents a false god. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">ALL OF THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME SOMEONE LEAVES THE CHURCH.<br />The Church is the legitimate authority given to us by Jesus through the Apostles and passed on by apostolic succession until our day. The members believe the message that the Church proposes for belief. Yet one day an outside voice suggests to someone. <i>"the church is holding you back with xyz, if you follow me I will really free you and teach you the truth." </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So they leave and we can see by the fruit that it produces that it only leads to ruin and division.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ecclesiastes says as much when it says there is nothing new under the sun.</span></div>
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Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-63232405426545812212017-01-17T17:11:00.000-08:002017-01-17T17:11:17.384-08:00Cool NEW Product! Church History Timeline Banner!!!I have produced a HUGE banner of Catholic Church History. It is 5ft X 17ft. That is HUGE! Why would I want such a thing? The only reason you ask that question is because you have yet to see it.<br />
<br />
I have it officially advertised here: <a class="" href="http://www.catholictimelinebanner.com/" target="_blank">catholictimelinebanner</a><br />
<br />
So here is my schpeal, my talk, so to speak<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WwaaTscTrVg/WH66GjA8kpI/AAAAAAAACE0/4-DMR8G-MvYU-zfKI5svq2xB_wHmv7uXwCLcB/s1600/IMG_20161214_123136%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WwaaTscTrVg/WH66GjA8kpI/AAAAAAAACE0/4-DMR8G-MvYU-zfKI5svq2xB_wHmv7uXwCLcB/s320/IMG_20161214_123136%255B1%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What happens when you requestion the high school students to <br />"go stand in front of it."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
How can you visibly represent that the Catholic Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic? A Catholic History Timeline Banner - that is how.</div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>It is neatly divided into 13 sections for easy memorization of major time periods. </li>
<li>It has all the major characters from every age and is appropriate to follow along with any Church history text. </li>
<li>One of the problems with studying History is that you get lost in the details and forget the big picture. This is your solution to that problem. </li>
<li>Each century includes an inspirational quote from someone from that time period.</li>
<li>Big beautiful pictures attract the eye from afar beckoning you to come closer and immerse yourself in the story of the Body of Christ; the Church. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5JAb3b8S3nY/WH69_i0yx8I/AAAAAAAACFI/gmZwE1nianw5lLJQtS8e6Aj1SfVwKQbLQCLcB/s1600/IMG_20161214_123517%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5JAb3b8S3nY/WH69_i0yx8I/AAAAAAAACFI/gmZwE1nianw5lLJQtS8e6Aj1SfVwKQbLQCLcB/s320/IMG_20161214_123517%255B1%255D.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students actually looking at it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
So check out the website, give me a call, if you are local or afar we will make arrangements to get a better look at it. Then consider getting one for your home, school, church, library, or seminary. It is guaranteed to attract attention.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
God love you.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<img height="219" src="http://www.catholictimelinebanner.com/images/timeline5-crop-u6672.jpg?crc=3978415337" width="640" /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-56980978509793041882016-02-29T19:54:00.001-08:002016-02-29T19:54:56.112-08:00"Reading" the Bible from Cover to CoverI have always been impressed whenever I had met two groups of people. <div>
The First Group - People who read the same books every year. They say, "O I read the Lord of the Rings every year," or, "Every year I reread Orthodoxy by Chesterton." They read them, I imagine because they get to visit an old friend(s) and get new things out of them.</div>
<div>
The Second Group - People who have read the entire Bible. I have been challenged a few times read the Bible from cover to cover, and there is Leviticus. 'sigh'</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Then I found Jeff Cavins and the Great Adventure Bible Timeline Program found <a href="http://ascensionpress.com/t/category/study-programs/catholic-bible-study/adult-bible-study/timeline" target="_blank">HERE</a> . Jeff only covers the 14 books that tell the story. He also shows how the other books fit into the context of these 14. For example, many of the Psalms were written by King David yet they are 4 books away from each other, or that you read Ruth in the context of the Judges. It is an excellent program and I can't recommend it enough.<br /><br />But had I still read ALL the books? - well I was sure that I read most, or at least heard most. Had I? I thought why am I giving this any second thought at all - Dude just read it already! I hate reading. But I LOVE listening. so I forced myself and listened all the way through an audio Bible. Last year it took from the end of December through February. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
THE PAY OFF - Now while some of it I knew immediately I had NEVER listened to, e.g. all the names in Ezra, Nehemiah., other parts kind of surprised me, and other parts were very familiar. </div>
<div>
<ul>
<li>The pay off came when I went to church and heard the readings, I had just read all of them, so they were like, friends ( I would think - I just listened to this). </li>
<li>When someone said - I was just reading Job, or Ezekiel, or whoever - I could say - I just read that too. </li>
<li>I got to hear those Old Testament quotes in context that are quoted in the New Testament. </li>
<li>The worst enemy of the Israelites were themselves, yes they were attacked by others, but if you were trying to live the law of Moses and be faithful. Good Luck, because most of your fellow Israelites are barely interested. </li>
<li>God is not mean, or a jerk, or vengeful. God is a living Father who has to deal with barbarians. I know my ancestors were barbarians - but everyone's ancestors are barbarians, even the Israelites. And as we all know - barbarians are hard to work with, and they only understand a certain type of language. God was speaking to them on their level. Also, most of those "angry" prophetic letters are all written to the same group of people. We only hear them one after another and it feels like it takes forever to get through them.</li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">So I am interested in what YOU have to say -</span></div>
<div>
Do you have a book you reread every year?</div>
<div>
Have you read the Bible cover to cover? What were the benefits / drawbacks?</div>
<div>
Comment below:</div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-74207819253649845822016-02-14T17:35:00.000-08:002016-02-14T17:35:15.499-08:00What Does the Word Lent Mean and Why Do We Give Up Stuff?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Lent is from the Anglo-Saxon word <i>lengten, </i> which means - <b>spring</b>. This makes sense because of the season of the year it takes place.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Why 40 Days? The 40 days are in imitation of Jesus who was fasting in the desert for 40 days. But why was Jesus in the desert for 40 days? He did this to imitate the Israelites who were in the desert for 40 years. Why were the Israelites in the desert for 40 years?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lots of questions huh.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">The Israelites had been in bondage and just passed through Red Sea (Which St. Paul says is a type for Baptism 1 Corinthians 10:2) and were traveling through the desert, headed toward the promised land,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Now this signifies our own journey from the bondage of sin (Egypt) through this world (Desert) to heaven (Promised Land).</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Their journey through the desert was originally planned to have only taken 1 year. But when it came time for the Israelites to enter, they no longer had faith in God and were afraid of the Cannanites that lived there. For this reason, God had them wander in the desert for 40 years as a punishment. During this time, the generation that didn't want to go in would be killed and a new generation would be raised up that wanted to enter into the Promised Land.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">St. Paul talks about this when he says:</span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Romans 6:6</b> We know that our <b><u>old self</u></b> was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>2 Corinthians 5:17 </b>Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; <b style="text-decoration: underline;">the old </b>has passed away, behold, the new has come. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Ephesians 4:22-24</b> Put off your <u><b>old nature</b></u> which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Colossians 3:9-10 </b>Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the <b><u>old nature</u></b> with its practices 10 and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: large;">We are to do the same thing, during our time here on earth we are to crucify our old selves and raise up a new - only by the grace of God. <br /><br />Now Jesus was doing several things in the desert, but one of them was encountering the devil (as Israel did) and vanquish him with the word of God. Not with lasers out of his eyes, no super-powers, no miracles, just plain old faithfulness. Amazing how boring it sounds to defeat the devil. He was also showing us, in part, how to treat this world, this journey. During that time he fasted from the earthly comforts of food, shelter, and companionship to show us that our sole purpose for this world is transitory. We are just passing through. Our consolations should not be in this world, but in our Heavenly Father. THEREFORE Lent is a renewing of our efforts to prepare ourselves for Heaven.<br /><br />Now Jesus didn't HAVE to die to some old way of living and sin, but he does it because that is what WE need to do, and he calls us to imitate Him.</span>Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-5977243465480852232014-01-09T04:48:00.000-08:002014-01-09T04:52:35.965-08:00Answering - Reasoning from the Scriptures with Catholics Chapter 4 (Pt 1)<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: #CCCCCC; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-pattern: gray-20 auto; mso-shading: windowtext;">Chapter 4 – Sola
Scriptura Versus Tradition – Part 2<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Issue: </span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Catholics offer some examples of tradition that is
found in the New Testament and this chapter addresses those verses offered as
proofs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Facts:</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> Let’s see what he has to say. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(65) </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matthew
2:23 - He went and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been
spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, "He shall be called a
Nazorean."</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The issue – </span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Catholics point to this verse which claims that Jesus is
fulfilling an oracle of the prophets. But when the Old Testament writing are
searched there is no prophecy given it writing, but there was an oral prophecy,
which is what the verse suggests, that was in circulation at the time of Jesus
and that is what is being fulfilled here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He Asks – </span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">He
suggests that the town of Nazareth in Biblical times was infamous for being
associated with sinners. This makes some sense because Philip asks the question
John 1:46 – can anything good come out of Nazareth? So in Jesus’ day being
called a Nazorean would be associated with being despised and hated. The
prophets in the Old Testament do tell us that the Messiah would be despised and
hated and Jesus is partially fulfilling this by living in a despised and hated
town.</span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I Respond</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> – It is as simple as this – A prophetic statement has been
made – It can’t be found written – therefore it must be in oral. It is
authoritative because it comes from God so it must be believed. That is what we
call Oral Tradition. We don’t have to do mental gymnastics over the character
of the town of Nazareth, find that character in the Old Testament applied to
the Messiah, and then apply it to Jesus. The Catholic apologist is simply
trying to point out that there are authoritative statements made by God that
might not be written down. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(67) He Asks – ‘</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Did
you know that <i>Nazarene</i> was a term of
scorn back in biblical times, indicating “one who is despised”?’</span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I would say </span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> - I know that now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(67) He Asks – </span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Since
numerous Old Testament passages indicate that the Messiah would be a despised
character, can you see that possibility that Matthew’s use of <i>Nazarene</i> in reference to the Messiah was
intended to give the substance of many Old Testament prophecies and not a
direct quote from a single prophet?</span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I would say – </span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
hear what your saying but I think here the Scriptures are clear. A prophetic
statement has been made – It can’t be found written – therefore it must be in
oral. It is authoritative because it comes from God so it must be believed.
That is what we call Oral Tradition. To bring this into modern times let’s say
Jesus </span><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">He went and dwelt in a town called Gloucester,
Massachusetts, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be
fulfilled, "He shall be called a Gloucesterite? ( I might be butchering
that one)." </span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Hey, <b>Gloucester
</b>is known for its fisherman, let’s see what the Old Testament says about
fisherman. It says God would some day call many fisherman as fulfilled by
Jesus. Therefore it doesn’t need to say explicitly by any one prophet in the
Old Testament that <b>He shall be called a Gloucesterite</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I just say
stick with the word of God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></b><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(68) </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Matthew
23:2, 3 saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees
have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things
whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but
they do not practice.</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The issue – </span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Catholics
point out these verses to non-Catholics because of the term “the chair of
Moses.” Just from the context we can tell that this is a place of authority.
Historically it was a physical seat in a synagogue. The idea of the “chair of
Moses” is not found in the Old Testament. Now I have never used this verse to
prove Sacred Tradition, but I have used it to prove just plain old oral
tradition. Not everything was written down.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> (70) He Asks – “</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Since Jesus in this same Gospel of Matthew indicates that
tradition can be wrong and lead people astray – and since He places God’s Word
over tradition (Matthew 15:6) – is it not unwise to argue for the authority of
tradition from Matthew 23:2, 3?”<b> </b></span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I Respond</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
– I don’t think so, for two reasons. The first is that Jesus condemns the
traditions of man that nullify the Word of God. We agree and do that as well. The
second is that Matthew himself is only writing down a portion of his experience
with Jesus. Think of this, Matthew spent three years of his life with Jesus,
and yet his Gospel can be read in about 2 hours. We know Jesus said more,
because of the other Gospels. We know that there is more important information
to be known because of the teachings of St. Paul and the other inspired
writers. Dare we say that is all that there is, how can we be so sure?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I would follow up with – </span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Would
you be obedient to Jesus’ words here is they were in your hearing? <b>“</b></span><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Therefore, do and
observe all things whatsoever they tell you”</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> Would you do that? If you say no, then we disobey Jesus. If you say yes,
then you are subjecting yourself to an authority, namely the Pharisees, whose
position has no Biblical basis. There are no Pharisees in the Old Testament
mentioned. Yet Jesus recognizes them as those who are to be obeyed, yet not
imitated.</span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(71) He Asks – “</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Did
you know that synagogue worship first emerged in postexilic times, long after
the time of Moses?” (Meaning synagogues weren’t probably invented until after
the Jews returned from their exile in Babylon 500 years before Jesus.</span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I respond –</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
Yes, I know that now.</span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">(71) He Asks – “</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Since
historically the “chair of Moses” in the synagogue came into use far after the
actual time of Moses, is it not clear that the reference to this chair cannot
be cited in support of an oral tradition that goes back to Moses?”</span><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I Respond</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
– It doesn’t matter if it goes back to the time of Moses or not, my point in
bringing up the “chair of Moses” was that there was an idea of this in the
first century that is not written about in the Old Testament, yet existed
obviously in Old Testament times. What I am trying to show you is that there
ideas that were lived out by the Jews that were not explicitly written down
before Jesus yet they had a place in the lives of the Jewish people in Jesus’
day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I Would Ask</span></b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">
– If you agree to this then why couldn’t that be true about the apostles day?
There were things they did and taught that were legitimate, but didn’t make it
into the pages of Scripture, yet made it into the lives of the first
Christians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-60294902211323295212013-10-30T21:54:00.002-07:002013-10-30T21:54:47.895-07:00Answering Dr. Ron Rhodes Concerning Why We Have More Books In Our Bibles.<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="background-color: #cccccc; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; line-height: 115%;">Chapter 2 - The Apocrypha – Does It Belong In The
Bible?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">All quotes are from "Reasoning from the Scriptures with Catholics" by Dr. Ron Rhodes</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">A Step-by-Step guide to sharing the Good News with Catholics</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The (numbers in parenthesis refer to page numbers in the book)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
Issue: </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Catholics
have 7 more books in their Bibles than non-Catholics. Catholics say that they
belong in the Bible, while non-Catholics say that they do not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
Facts: </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">In Jesus’ day
there were several groups of Jews – Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, Jews that
lived in Palestine and Jews that lived outside of Palestine – who while they
agreed on major doctrinal issues disagreed on others, like which books belonged
in the Bible. This issue was not settled in Jesus’ day. Jesus comes and
preaches the Gospel which is then partially written down and discussed by the
various New Testament authors. These books and letters were distributed to
their audience, then copied and made available for other Christian communities
to read. At the same time other authors began to write who were not apostles,
some were legitimate and others were not.
In time the apostles died leaving their authority to other worthy men.
In first quarter of the second century (135 A.D.) the Jews, zealous concerning
a new religious leader in their midst (Bar Kokhba), closed the Hebrew canon and
condemned the beliefs of the Christians. Meanwhile the true and false writings
concerning Christ continued to circulate. No counsel was held to judge the
legitimacy about certain books because from the year 65 to 313 A.D.
Christianity was illegal under Roman law.
Yet in that period many individual Christians had drawn up lists of
books that they believed were inspired by God. While there were core books that
everyone listed, there were other books from both the Old and New Testament
that were disputed. Finally at the local counsels of Rome (382), Hippo (393),
and Carthage (397), Catholic bishops (for all Christians were Catholic at this
time, except for the Arians) recognized 73 books that made up the Old and New
Testament. This was the list that everyone accepted. In 1431 a council was held
in Florence, Italy that reaffirmed that those 73 books were in fact inspired. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Years later in 1517 Martin Luther broke away from the Catholic Church, he
removed from the Old Testament books that Jews in his day did not have in their
Bibles ( these are the 7 books of the Old Testament their are - </span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Tobit,
Judith, Wisdom of Solomon, Ecclesiasticus (a.k.a Sirach), Baruch, 1 and 2
Maccabees. Many do not know that he also wanted to remove Hebrews, James, and
Revelation from the New Testament as well. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"> In
response to his protests, the Catholic Church once again held a council, this
time in the city of Trent (1545-1563) where they re-reaffirmed that it is 73
books that belong in the Bible.</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Misconception: </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">In 1545 the Catholic Church added 7 books to the Old
Testament to support its teachings.<b> <o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">1.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Apocryphal
Books Do Not Claim To Be Inspired<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">He Asks</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> – What does it say to you that
not a single apocryphal book claims to have been inspired by God?</span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I Respond</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">
– It doesn’t say much considering most of the books of the Bible don’t claim to
be inspired by God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I Would Ask</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">
– If a book does in fact claim to be inspired by God like the Book of Mormon,
does that mean that it is inspired? – Obviously not. What happened was that the
same Holy Spirit who had inspired men in the 300’s to say officially that the
New Testament books were inspired, also lead the same men to say that those 7
books in the Old Testament were inspired as well. So if you trust them with
their decision of the New Testament books, why not trust them with their
decision of the Old Testament books as well. The opposite is true also – if
they got it wrong about the Old Testament, maybe they got it wrong about the
New Testament.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">He Asks</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> – If the apocryphal books are
inspired, why weren’t the writers of these books confirmed by divine miracles
like the Old and New Testament writers?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">He
then sites 1 Kings 18 – which is the story of when Elijah confronted Ahab about
who the Israelites were going to serve – God or Baal. Fire then falls from
heaven and consumes the sacrifice which Elijah has made in front of many
witnesses proving that God and not Baal is the true God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Honestly
I thought this question was confusing because it either means that a book much
contain miracles to prove that it is inspired, or the writer of the book worked
miracles. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I Respond</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">
- If a book must contain miracles to be inspired, then books like Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes, and Philemon are out. If a book must have been written by someone
who performed miracles then St. Luke is out because no miracles are attributed
to him. If you need miracles in those seven books, then Tobit and the Maccabbees
have those in them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">He Asks – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">If the apocryphal
books are inspired, why didn’t they contain predictive prophecy like the Old
and New Testament books?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I Respond – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Many
Old and New Testament book don’t contain predictive prophecy does that negate their
inspiration?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I Would Ask – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">If
it did contain prophecy would that make it inspired? If they say yes then read<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b>Wisdom 2:12</b> <sup>12 </sup>Let
us beset the just one, because he is obnoxious to us; he sets himself against
our doings, Reproaches us for transgressions of the law and charges us with
violations of our training.<sup> 13</sup> He professes to have knowledge of God
and styles himself a child of the LORD.<sup> 14</sup> To us he is the censure
of our thoughts; merely to see him is a hardship for us,<sup> 15</sup> Because
his life is not like other men's, and different are his ways.<sup> 16</sup> He
judges us debased; he holds aloof from our paths as from things impure. He
calls blest the destiny of the just and boasts that God is his Father.<sup> 17</sup>
Let us see whether his words be true; let us find out what will happen to him.<sup>
18</sup> For if the just one be the son of God, he will defend him and deliver
him from the hand of his foes.<sup> 19</sup> With revilement and torture let us
put him to the test that we may have proof of his gentleness and try his
patience.<sup> 20</sup> Let us condemn him to a shameful death; for according
to his own words, God will take care of him."<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">2.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">New Testament
Writers Do Not Quote The Apocrypha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Introduction
– </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Dr. Rhodes begins
on faulty footing when he says, “Jesus and the disciples virtually ignore these
books-something that would not have been the case if they had considered them
to be inspired.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I Respond – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">There are several problems with this
argument. The first is that just because a book is quoted in the New Testament
doesn’t mean that it is inspired. The second is that the pagan poet Epimenides
and the Book of Enoch are both quoted in the New Testament does that mean that
they are inspired? No. Likewise just because these 7 books are not quoted
doesn’t imply that they aren’t inspired or else Ruth, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther,
Song of Solomon, Lamentations, Obadiah, Nahum and Zephaniah – because these
books that are accepted by everyone are not quoted in the New Testament as well
– would call their inspiration into question.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">(34)He Asks </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">- What do you think that suggests to you that the New
Testament writers often quoted from the Old Testament, but never quoted from an
apocryphal book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I
Respond – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I would
answer that I guess God didn’t want them quoted in the New Testament along with
many other books from the Old Testament. (See my response in the introduction
to this section)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">(35)He Asks</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> – In view of the fact that the New Testament writers
virtually ignored the Apocrypha, do you think that they viewed it as Scripture?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I Respond - </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I can’t say for sure – they do allude
to them many times in their writings – I would even ask if they thought that
their own writings were inspired. I don’t imagine that they did. What I do know
is that the Church that Christ gave us with His own authority recognized in the
late 300 which books, were and were not inspired and it is was those 73 (not
66) books that made up the Bible for everyone until the Martin Luther threw
them out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">3.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Many Church
Fathers Denied The Apocrypha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Introduction
– </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Dr. Rhodes begin
by saying, “certain church fathers spoke approvingly of the Apocrypha.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I Respond – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">not only did they disagree about the
Old Testament books, but they disagreed about the New Testament books as well.
This debate would continue until the late 300’s. The reason that this issue
wasn’t settled officially by the church until the late 300’s is because they
had been persecuted more most of that time by the Roman government. Many Church
Fathers gave lists of books that they considered inspired. Some Old Testament
books and New Testament books were called into question, but with the councils
of Rome in the 380’s, Hippo in 393 and Carthage in 397 (all of which accepted
those 73 books that we have today) – the question was settled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">So calling into question what the
early Church Fathers thought was inspired also kind of backfires because it was
at those same councils that the New Testament canon was recognized officially
as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">4.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Early
Christian Evidence Argues Against The Apocrypha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">In this
section Dr. Rhodes gives us an example of a church father who outright denied
all of the apocryphal books of the Old Testament. This doesn’t turn out to be a
true as he probably would have hoped. Dr. Rhodes quotes Eusebius who is quoting
Melito of Sardis who says this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">‘Accordingly when I went East and came to the place where
these things were preached and done, I learned accurately the books of the Old
Testament, and send them to you as written below. Their names are as follows:
Of Moses, five books: Genesis, Exodus, Numbers, Leviticus, Deuteronomy; Jesus
Nave, Judges, Ruth; of Kings, four books; of Chronicles, two; the Psalms of
David, the Proverbs of Solomon, <b><u>Wisdom</u></b> also, Ecclesiastes, Song
of Songs, Job; of Prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah; of the twelve prophets, one book
; Daniel, Ezekiel, Esdras. From which also I have made the extracts, dividing
them into six books. Such are the words of Melito.’ (Eusebius, Church History,
Book 4 Ch 26:14)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Dr. Rhodes then goes on to say, “Notice that Melito affirmed
all the Old Testament books except the Book of Esther, but did not mention a
single apocryphal book (RFS p.36).” The problem can be seen with the emboldened
and underlined word <b><u>Wisdom</u></b>. This refers to the Wisdom of Solomon
– one of the ‘apocryphal’ books that Melito is supposedly not mentioning. Now
the fact that Melito doesn’t mention Esther ( a book everyone today has in
their Bibles), just goes to show that in Melito’s time (170 A.D.), the debate
still continued about which books should go in the Bible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">5.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Early
Jews Of Palestine Rejected The Apocrypha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Dr. Rhodes
tries to make that case that because the Jews after Jesus’ day rejected the
apocrypha, we should reject it as well. It should be noted that these same Jews
rejected the New Testament books as well, so should we do the same?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">6.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">There Are
Historical Errors In The Apocrypha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">(37)He Asks – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Does God make mistakes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I
Respond - </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Nope<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">(37)He Asks – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Do books inspired by God contain mistakes?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I
Respond - </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Nope<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">(37-38)He Asks – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Did you know that history and archeology are true friends of
the Old and New Testament because they verify numerous customs, places, names,
and events in Bible times?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I
Respond - </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Yep<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">(38)He Asks – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Did you know, by contrast, that the apocryphal books contain
many historical errors?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I
Respond –</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> No they
don’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> He suggests - </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">pointing out some historical
difficulties in the book of Tobit<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I would
follow up</span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> - Many
people say that there are historical problems with the New Testament and other
Old Testament books. While this has been the claim, God’s word throughout time
has always proven to be true, and this has been confirmed through archeology
and the discovery of other ancient texts. Like Cardinal Newman said, "Ten
thousand difficulties do not make one doubt."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">The ancient times were just as
complicated as things are today, and we only get to see a small fraction of
this history through the little texts that remain. Therefore while at times
things <i>seem</i> to contradict, it is our lack of information that might be
the problem, not the text. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Something else to consider is that we
believe that only the original works of the authors are inspired by God.
Copyists do make errors, which very well may be the case in the book of Tobit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">Finally I would say this – If God
appeared to the person and assured them that it was inspired and reliable, then
would the person still doubt because of the current history, or would they
trust God? Hopefully they would trust God. We believe that God has spoken
through the Church and revealed which books are inspired both Old and New and
we have faith that what he is given is infallible.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"> (38)He Asks – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">What does that tell you regarding
whether the Apocrypha is inspired by God?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I Respond
– </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I believe that it
is inspired<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">7.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Apocrypha
Contains Unbiblical Doctrines<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 115%;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">(38-39)He Asks – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Since we know that the Old and New Testaments are the Word of God and
that the Apocrypha clearly contradicts the Old and New Testaments at numerous
points, what can we conclude about the Apocrypha?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<b><span style="line-height: 115%;">I
Respond – </span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Catholics agree that the Old and
New Testaments are the Word of God, but no part of the Bible contradicts any
other part of the Bible. Now what is happening is that these Biblical teaching
found in these 7 books of the Old Testament are contradicting Dr. Rhodes
private interpretation on the New and Old Testament, therefore he sees a
contradiction where there really is none. Let’s examine the ones presented:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="line-height: 115%;">I will answer these questions below later.</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">8.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The
Septuagint Argument Is Flawed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">9.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Catacombs
Argument Is Not Convincing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">10.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Church
Council Argument Is Not Convincing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">11.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">The Qumran
Argument Is Not Convincing<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">12.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Tests Of
Canonicity<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">13.<span style="font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></b><!--[endif]--><span dir="LTR"></span><b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Hebrews 11:35
– A Citation From The Apocrypha<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-55513151999237302572013-08-21T17:31:00.002-07:002013-08-21T17:31:57.578-07:00Making Sense of Mary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.grottopress.org/assets/images/db_images/db_MSoM1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.grottopress.org/assets/images/db_images/db_MSoM1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 115%;">On special Marian feasts , there are some
who wonder why we hold Mary up to such a high degree, we can at times find
ourselves at a loss of words trying to explain why we believe those particular
things about Mary. Today is recommended the remedy to such a situation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The long awaited work by Gary Michuta called – Making Sense of Mary
– is finally available for purchase. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What makes Gary’s book different from all
of the other apologetic works on Mary – that you know of?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
have heard some amazing apologists make bulletproof arguments for the different
Marian doctrines that we believe as Catholics.
What Gary does in his book is take a few steps back from the individual
Marian doctrines and gives us the bigger picture of how Mary fits into the
story of our salvation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Now
before I read the book, I could defend each one of the doctrines particular to
Mary, Her Immaculate Conception, Perpetual Virginity, and Assumption etc. But
what I couldn’t do, that – Making Sense of Mary – helped me do, is show how
they all fit together and are a necessary part of the story of our redemption.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">He does
this in just two easy to read chapters. First he goes back to the beginning and
presents an in-depth study of the fall of Adam and Eve. Then, because you now
know exactly what was lost by in the fall of our first parents and what was
gained by the devil, he takes you through the story of salvation and shows now
what is lost to the devil and regained by Jesus and Mary.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Gary
shows that just as Jesus is presented in scripture as The New Adam, Mary can
then be rightly seen as The New Eve. It is on this scaffolding – so to speak –
that all of these teachings hang.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Who is the target audience of this book?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
book is written with non-Catholic Bible believers in mind, and Catholics in
mind. It begins in chapter one laying a foundation to put the non-Catholic at
ease. Gary has three ground rules<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">#1
Christ alone saves us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">#2 God’s
plan of redemption is perfect and complete and lacking in nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">#3
Satan’s defeat in redemption is perfect and complete and lacking in nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">These
are super important for the non-Catholic to hear, because the reason that they
aren’t honoring Mary to begin with is because they believe that this somehow eclipses
the honor that we give to Jesus. The other reason why they don’t see these
doctrines in Scripture is two fold. Firstly, these doctrines have been passed
on more explicitly in Catholic Tradition than in Scripture. Secondly, you have
to study the language and culture of the Israelites of the Old Testament and
understand how Jesus is fulfilling that in the New Testament – which is hard to
do when each generation of Bible believing non-Catholics is trying to
reinterpret the scriptures for themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Give us a quick insight into some of the
things that Gary is trying to point out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">One
thing that struck me is from the Magnificat of Mary. This is the scene where
she is visiting Elizabeth and begins this prayer - <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-line-height-alt: 16.8pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: red; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; padding: 0in;"><b>Luke 1:46-55</b>
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">My soul proclaims the greatness of
the Lord,<br />
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior<br />
for he has looked with favor on his lowly
servant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin: 0in 0in 0.3in; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Later she says this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .3in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-line-height-alt: 16.8pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He has cast down the mighty from
their thrones,<br />
and has lifted up the lowly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .3in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-line-height-alt: 16.8pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So when she says that God has looked
with favor on this lowly servant –
who is she talking about? She is talking about herself. She is the lowly
servant.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .3in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-line-height-alt: 16.8pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But then she says this, “He has cast
down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .3in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-line-height-alt: 16.8pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So the might have been cast from
their thrones, and the lowly have been lifted up – up to where? Up to the
thrones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .3in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-line-height-alt: 16.8pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Here in the magnificat, we have Mary
implying that she the lowly servant will be lifted up to a throne. Now don’t we
know that as Mary’s Queenship? Yet it is hidden here in the magnificat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .3in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-background-themecolor: background1; mso-line-height-alt: 16.8pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: large;">Another beautiful example is when he
is comparing Adam and Eve to Jesus and Mary – that when it speaks of the expulsion of Adam from the Garden of Eden it says this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><b>Genesis
3:23</b></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> The LORD God therefore banished him
from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he had been taken.<sup>
24</sup> When he expelled the man, he settled him east of the garden of Eden;
and he stationed the cherubim and the fiery revolving sword, to guard the way
to the tree of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">So
we read how the man was expelled from the garden of Eden, well did the woman
get expelled? It never says it right out that she was expelled. But then we
read the next verse:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><b>Genesis
4:1</b></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> <sup>1 </sup>The man had relations
with his wife Eve.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">So
we see that Eve did get expelled and was with Adam, because we then see them
together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">So
what had happened to the Adam, had also happened to Eve, though never
explicitly stated, but the next time we see them, they are together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">What
about Jesus the New Adam, and Mary, the New Eve? The Bible shows that Jesus
ascended into heaven, the Bible never says that Mary was assumed into heaven. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Yet,
just like the first Adam and Eve, what had happened to him, then happened to
her, Jesus and Mary are the same way. The Bible never says that Mary was
assumed into heaven, yet after the ascension, in Revelation 12 what do we see…<sup>
<o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><b>Revelation
12:1</b></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> <sup>1 </sup>A great sign appeared
in the sky, a woman <sup>2 </sup>clothed with the sun, with the moon under her
feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars.<sup> 2</sup> She was with child
and wailed aloud in pain as she labored to give birth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">We
see Mary in a heavenly vision, crowned queen – along with the New Adam, Jesus<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><b>Revelation
12:5</b></span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><b> </b>She gave birth to a son, a male
child, destined to rule all the nations with an iron rod. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">He
is a New King. It never says explicitly that Mary was assumed into heaven, but
what happens to the New Adam also happens to the New Eve.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><a href="http://www.grottopress.org/html/best_sellers_detailed_list_0.html" target="_blank">Purchase Gary's Book Here</a></span></div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-46235815247240624792013-07-24T20:18:00.004-07:002013-07-24T20:18:56.634-07:00Why Do Catholics "Keep Jesus On The Cross"?<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><o:p> </o:p></span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Catholics are often accused of
keeping “Jesus on the cross” which to some Bible believers seems to deny that
Jesus rose from the dead and ascended into heaven and lives right not at the
right side of the Father. So why do we have pictures of Jesus on the cross.</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">They
say that a picture is word a thousand words. The crucifix is a picture worth
and infinite number of words, but today we will stick with some inspired words
from scripture, because they are from God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">The
cross is picture of radical love. We have all heard Jesus say:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">NAB </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">John
15:13</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> <sup>1 </sup>No one has greater love
than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">But
here are the words that we forget from St. Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">NAB </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Romans
5:7</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> Indeed, only with difficulty does
one die for a just person, though perhaps for a good person one might even find
courage to die. <sup> 8</sup> But God
proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.<sup>
9</sup> How much more then, since we are now justified by his blood, will we be
saved through him from the wrath.<sup> 10</sup> Indeed, if, while we were
enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, how much more,
once reconciled, will we be saved by his life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">You
can imagine being in a back alley and it looks as though a mugger is not only
going to take your money, but your life as well. If there is someone else there
you might try to courageously defeat the mugger so your friend’s life will be
spared.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Now
imagine as though you are the mugger, and you are trying to mug Jesus, when
suddenly a murderous gang heads down the same alley and Jesus throws himself
into the crowd so that you can escape. THIS is what St. Paul is talking about. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">NAB </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Romans
5:8</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> But God proves his love for us in
that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Again
the cross is a picture of a radical kind of love.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">The
cross is a picture of Christ in His Glory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">John
12:23</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> <sup>23</sup> And Jesus answered
them, "The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified.<sup> <o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Now
if I were to ask you outside the context of this radio broadcast – when was
Jesus glorified? Most people would naturally respond – at his resurrection, or
ascension, and they would be correct to a certain extent because yes at the
resurrection Jesus has a glorified body and is back from the dead and when
Jesus is ascending into heaven it is to be seated at the right hand of God –
amen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">But
listen to what else Jesus describes as his Glory.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">John
12:24</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> <sup>24</sup> Truly, truly, I say to
you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone;
but if it dies, it bears much fruit.<sup> <o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">25</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> He who loves
his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for
eternal life.<sup> <o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">26</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> If any one
serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there shall my servant be also;
if any one serves me, the Father will honor him.<sup> <o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Jesus
says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">John
12:23</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> <sup>23</sup> And Jesus answered
them, "The hour has come for the Son of man to be glorified.<sup> <o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">And
then talks about wheat dying, and losing you life, and following Jesus. So this
glory doesn’t sound very glorious. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Finally<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">John
12:</span></b><sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">27</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> "Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say?
`Father, save me from this hour'? No, for this purpose I have come to this
hour.<sup> </sup></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Father save me from this hour – is Jesus asking the
Father to save him from the resurrection and ascension into heaven? No, he is
saying Father save me from the this death, and cross. Yet the cross is
described as his glory. Now the hour has come for the Son of Man to be
glorified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This is also a picture that has medicinal properties.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">John
3:14</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> And as Moses lifted up the serpent
in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 22.5pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Book Antiqua"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Book Antiqua";">-<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Moses lifted the serpent up in the
wilderness so that all who looked upon it would be healed on their snake bites.
Jesus on the cross heals all those who look upon Him on the cross who have been
bitten by the devil.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">John
8:28</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> So Jesus said, "When you have
lifted up the Son of man, then you will know that I am he, and that I do
nothing on my own authority but speak thus as the Father taught me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">John
12:32</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> and I, when I am lifted up from the
earth, will draw all men to myself."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">The
crucifix was a picture of God’s wisdom and power.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">1
Corinthians 1:17</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> For Christ did not send me to
baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross
of Christ be emptied of its power.<sup> 18</sup> For the word of the cross is
folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power
of God…<sup>. 22</sup> For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,<sup> 23</sup>
but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to
Gentiles,<sup> 24</sup> but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">1
Corinthians 2:1</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> When I came to you, brethren, I did
not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom.<sup>
2</sup> For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him
crucified.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Finally
the crucifix is a picture of our marriage to Christ. Just as God put Adam in a
deep sleep and from his side formed his wife Eve, So from the water and blood
of Christ’s side did we come forth (in our baptism and Eucharist) when he slept
the sleep of death on the cross.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The
catechism says this in:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">1067 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">… For it was from the side of
Christ as he slept the sleep of death upon the cross that there came forth 'the
wondrous sacrament of the whole Church."'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For this reason, the Church celebrates in the </span><a href="http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/1067.htm"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">liturgy</span></a><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> above all the Paschal
mystery by which Christ accomplished the work of our salvation.</span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 17.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-77602802900820167852013-07-11T06:07:00.001-07:002013-07-11T06:07:21.312-07:00Rock Solid Faith<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In an age of uncertainty it seems as though this
attitude has infected many who believe in Jesus. These are some things I hear
people say that suggest this. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">When discussing and disagreeing about doctrine
people say, “I guess we will find out when we meet Jesus.” Or, “Maybe you are
right, maybe I am right – who can know?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It seems to me as though this is a faith that is
built on sand, ever shifting, with no foundation. The tide will push and pull
it this way and that until it falls. Then
we have a cranky Catholic who isn’t going to Mass and find fault with the
Church at every turn. This is not what Jesus wants for us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Jesus is described in the Bible as being a stone.
But He is stone in two senses. For the believer, He is a foundation stone that
can be stood upon and built upon. But for the unbeliever, Jesus becomes a stone
that causes you to stumble. Listen to St. Peter who is quoting the Old
Testament here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">1 Peter 2:6</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> For it stands
in scripture: "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen
and precious, and he who believes in him will not be put to shame."<sup> </sup> To you therefore who believe, he is precious,
but for those who do not believe, "The very stone which the builders
rejected has become the head of the corner,"<sup> </sup> and "A stone that will make men stumble,
a rock that will make them fall"; for they stumble because they disobey
the word, as they were destined to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Now
listen to Jesus:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Matthew 7:24</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> "Every one
then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who
built his house upon the rock;<sup> </sup> and the rain fell, and the floods came, and
the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, because it had
been founded on the rock.<sup> </sup> And
every one who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a
foolish man who built his house upon the sand;<sup> </sup> and the rain fell, and the floods came, and
the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell; and great was the fall
of it."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">So
this is not the kind of faith that we can cultivate. What do you think is that
cause of this kind of sandy faith?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I
think that there are several factors, but the first is poor education in the
faith. Many people believe that because they had twelve years of Catholic education,
served as an altar boy, or served as a lector that these kinds of experiences
have given them a sufficient knowledge of the faith, and possibly at that time
they had. Then they left those elementary institutions and continued on with
their vocational studies while neglecting to study their faith at a deeper
level. They then are deep in the world looking at it through the lenses of an
elementary education and one of four things could happen I think:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">1.
The first person didn’t originally care in school and they don’t care now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">2.
The second person, if they had doubts about the faith before – continuing
education just confirmed that doubt and they continued out the church door.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">3.
The third person wants to remain Catholic while at the same time holding on to
the doubts and falsehoods. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">4. The forth person sees the challenges and
realizes that they have to step up their faith and begin to search for answers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Another
large factor is pride. Folks feel like
they know more about the faith again, because they had that basic education and
experiences. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Finally,
we are all a bit lazy. We aren’t encouraged many places outside of EWTN and the
like radio and TV to study the faith. Yet this is something we need to do
weekly if not daily.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">So
what is the solution to this sandy faith?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Something
I have been encouraging people to do as of late is to read the lives of the
saints. When you read the lives of the saints you get to see what actually
happens to people when they live the faith.
This reading should remove some of the fear that people feel when they
finally choose to live the faith. It should also inspire them to in fact deepen
their faith. They will see that as a Church and as individuals that Christ has
not abandoned us, but desires a radical relationship with us unlike any we
could have with anyone on earth.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I recommend Matt and Colleen Swaim's book for those going into any kind of continuing education.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Your-College-Faith-Own-It/dp/076482192X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373547919&sr=8-1&keywords=matt+swaim" target="_blank">Click Here</a></span></div>
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<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S4UPqDyXL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51S4UPqDyXL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA300_SH20_OU01_.jpg" /></a></div>
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Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-63925390435764860052013-06-07T11:58:00.001-07:002013-06-07T11:58:13.575-07:00Summer Employment<div class="MsoNormal">
Dear readers of Bibletidbits, </div>
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If you live in the Greater Cincinnati area, </div>
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<br /></div>
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This summer I will be available to tutor
in these topics: (All classes could be for individuals or groups – There are
discounts for groups)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->1-6 Grade Math<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Beginning Greek<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> Year Latin<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Geography (learn all the countries and states
this summer)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Catechism classes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Bible Studies for individuals, groups, or
parishes on these topics: The Big Picture of the Bible, Genesis, Mark, John,
Answering Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, or Protestants – Studies can be tailored
to your parish or group schedule) <o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->I am also available to mow your lawn (with your
mower) – I will beat any competitor’s price.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Piano lessons for beginners<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
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Call me if you are interested or
have any questions- Dan Egan 859-866-7885<o:p></o:p></div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-16658805756235206852013-05-24T11:55:00.000-07:002013-05-24T11:55:46.553-07:00I am not asking for money - I am asking for your vote - And there is a mini tidbit.Dear Bibletidbit reader, <br />
<br />
My wife and I have entered a contest on FACEBOOK hosted by Certain Teed. They are have a contest to win $75,000 to fix up your home. We hope to win that money to fox up ours and can with your help. Just go to the Certain Teed facebook page and vote for me, Dan Egan, it would be much appreciated. You can vote once a day until June 11th. <br />
<br />
NOW FOR THE BIBLE TIDBIT.<br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">TIPS FOR SUMMER EVANGELIZING</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong>#1 Wear a Catholic T-Shirt - </strong> I think summer garage sales and the like are perfect places to evangelize. I wear my, "Who Started Your Church" shirt everywhere. If anyone asks about my shirt and says - Who started your church? I say - Jesus of Nazareth. Do you go to church anywhere? A conversation has been started. <br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.catholictothemax.com/product_images/y/912/600-WSYC__24578_zoom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.catholictothemax.com/product_images/y/912/600-WSYC__24578_zoom.jpg" width="266" ya="true" /></a></div>
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When it comes time to close the conversation or if it isn't going anywhere I offer them a copy of the list of churches and when they were created - I have them printed on the back of my tract, "Why I am Catholic and Think You Should Be Too". Not many people ask me about my shirt but I do catch many reading it.</div>
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<strong>#2 Look for religious books and articles and ask the owners if they attend a church anywhere. </strong></div>
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<strong>#3 Go to rummage sales at non-Catholic Churches. </strong>If they aren't busy ask them if they would like to grow in a deeper relationship with Jesus. When they say yes, which they will. Offer them the ideas from my tract, "A Deeper Relationship With Jesus."</div>
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(In brief - we can grow toward a deeper relationship with Jesus by (1) following the Tradition of the Apostles, (2) listening to faithful bishops Christ has set in charge of us, (3) Studying the Church Fathers and what they believed, and (4) studying the lives of the saints who had a profound love for Jesus and imitate them.)</div>
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<strong>#4</strong> <strong>Host a garage sale at your home or church</strong> and have free Catholic literature available. If people are not busy, make your conversation about Christ so that others can overhear and either join in or be encouraged by your speech. (This is a good place to throw around some Bible Tidbits)</div>
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If you are interested in any of my tracts - "<strong>Why I am Catholic And Think You Should Be Too</strong>", or "<strong>A Deeper Relationship With Jesus</strong>" - please write to me and I will send them to you to print, copy, and distribute. <a href="mailto:catholic4areason@gmail.com">catholic4areason@gmail.com</a></div>
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If you have any summer ideas to evangelize write them in the comments below - I would be interested in reading them and I am sure other would as well.</div>
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<span style="color: red;"><strong>DON'T FORGET TO VOTE FOR US ON FACEBOOK. YOU CAN VOTE EVERYONE ONCE UNTIL JUNE 11TH. THANK YOU.</strong></span></div>
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Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-12974415773859030742013-05-09T11:10:00.002-07:002013-05-09T11:10:21.463-07:00I am giving a Talk in Cincinnati<br />
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: xx-large;"><span style="color: red;">“The Big Picture
of our Catholic Faith”</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">FREE Admission!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Where:</b> <a href="http://www.parklandtheatre.com/" target="_blank">Parkland Theatre</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">You need to RSVP because space is
limited!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Write here to tell them you are
coming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">PLEASE EMAIL the RSVP to <a href="mailto:parkland@cinci.rr.com" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">parkland@cinci.rr.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">DIRECTIONS: <a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl" target="_blank">HERE</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>When:</b> Wednesday, May 15<sup>th </sup>,7:00pm <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-52923695977805639182013-04-24T20:54:00.000-07:002013-04-24T20:54:09.020-07:00Will Only A Few Be Saved?<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Bible Tidbit below is based on a sermon by St. Leonard of Port Maurice. The sermon is long, but worth it.</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here is a link - <a href="http://www.olrl.org/snt_docs/fewness.shtml" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">In this Bible tidbit we are asking the
question – will many people be saved? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It
would seem as though Jesus himself is the source of the teaching that few would
be saved. I don’t mean few out of the world, I mean few Catholics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Luke
13:23</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> And some one said to him,
"Lord, will those who are saved be few?" And he said to them,<sup> 24</sup>
"Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to
enter and will not be able.<sup> 25</sup> When once the householder has risen
up and shut the door, you will begin to stand outside and to knock at the door,
saying, `Lord, open to us.' He will answer you, `I do not know where you come
from.'<sup> 26</sup> Then you will begin to say, `We ate and drank in your
presence, and you taught in our streets.'<sup> 27</sup> But he will say, `I
tell you, I do not know where you come from; depart from me, all you workers of
iniquity!'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Here
is a similar verse that is more explicit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Matthew
7:13</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> "Enter by the narrow gate; for
the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who
enter by it are many.<sup> 14</sup> For the gate is narrow and the way is hard,
that leads to life, and those who find it are few.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Now
it is not as though God wishes that more people be damned than saved. </span></b><sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">1
Timothy 2:3</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> … God our Savior,<sup> 4</sup> who
desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Right
and Jesus says the same in:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Matthew
22:14</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> For many are called, but few are
chosen."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
parable is a great example of this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Matthew
25:1</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> "Then the kingdom of heaven
shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went to meet the
bridegroom.<sup> 2</sup> Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.<sup> 3</sup>
For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them;<sup> 4</sup>
but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.<sup> 5</sup> As the
bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.<sup> 6</sup> But at
midnight there was a cry, `Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.'<sup>
7</sup> Then all those maidens rose and trimmed their lamps.<sup> 8</sup> And
the foolish said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are
going out.'<sup> 9</sup> But the wise replied, `Perhaps there will not be
enough for us and for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.'<sup>
10</sup> And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were
ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.<sup> 11</sup>
Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, `Lord, lord, open to us.'<sup>
12</sup> But he replied, `Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Some
from this parable we could say that 50% would be saved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Another parable that enlightens this
topic is the parable of the sower and the seeds.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
is from Mark 4 where the sower – who is Jesus – throws the seed of the good
news into the world. Some of the seed falls on the road that is picked up by
birds, meaning the devil – They reject God word outright. Some of the word
falls on stony ground that sprouts up real fast but withers because the person
is persecuted by the world because of what they believe. Some of the seed falls
on thorny ground and grows but is choked by the thorns which represent the
cares of this world. Finally some falls on good soil which bears fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So
here is the breakdown: 25% will reject God’s word outright. 50% will hear God’s
word, believe it and for one reason or another fall away from the faith. The
remaining 25% will be faithful and bear fruit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Why then are people having a hard
time getting into heaven?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">I
would suggest two reasons. The first is holiness. St. Paul says this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Hebrews
12:14</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> Strive for peace with all men, and
for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 18pt;">I don’t often hear conversations about getting holy or the
struggles of living and growing in holiness and maybe this is part of the
reason why so many perish.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 18pt;">Another reason might be obedience:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Luke
10:16</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> "He who hears you hears me, and
he who rejects you rejects me, and he who rejects me rejects him who sent
me."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 18pt;">To reject the apostles and those who come after them is to reject
Christ. We can’t pick and choose for ourselves what is true and what is false.
We can’t say, “Jesus that whole business about divorce offends me and my new
lover, but I still love you and want to follow you.” We must be obedient to
what the church, which is truly the body of Christ, teaches. We can’t say, “I
love Jesus but can’t stand your bride.” This is offensive to God. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">So
Holiness and obedience are two keys to heaven. This information sounds like a
lot of bad news – Why present this to you dear reader?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">This is a call to get serious out
your faith. We have so many blessings in the Church – The Bible – The Saints –
The Sacraments – and it feels like there is an attitude, which I am guilty of
as well, that to get to heaven you just have to be a nice guy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">We </span><span style="line-height: 27.77777862548828px;">aren't</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> called to be nice – we are
called to holiness where Christ and the Saints are our guides and models. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-64250568895990252922013-04-17T20:37:00.000-07:002013-04-17T20:37:09.043-07:00The Gifts of the Holy Spirit and how they help Develop the Virtues<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are our topic today
and how they help develop the Theological and Cardinal Virtues. First we had
better define our terms in case people do not know what we are talking about.
Name the Theological and Cardinal virtues and state their purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">The
<u>Theological Virtues</u> are Faith, Hope, and Charity. They are called theological
because they are gifts that come from God that are for the purpose of leading
us back to God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">The
<u>Cardinal Virtues</u> are Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance. The word
Cardinal means, hinge, like a hinge in a door. These four virtues are a hinge
to all of the other virtues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">What are the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">I have
made an acronym to help remember these, it is KFCPUFWings. Kentucky Fried
Chicken Puf Wings.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">It is kind
of silly but it helps remember them. These are Knowledge, Fear of the Lord,
Counsel, Piety, Understanding, Fortitude, and Wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are connected to
the Virtues – How so?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">CCC 1831</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> … They complete and perfect the virtues of
those who receive them. They make the faithful docile in readily obeying divine
inspirations.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Let’s go through each one and see how these are
connected exactly.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">The Holy
Spirit gives us the gift of <b>Understanding</b>
to nourish the virtue of Faith. Understanding helps us to have insight into the
truths of our faith and be confirmed in our belief. When you have that Ah-ha
moment when you hear a good program on this radio station and say – so THAT’s
how it all fits together. That is the gift of Understanding strengthening your
faith. We can exercise this gift through studying the faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-language: HE;">DRA </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Psalm 118:73</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> Thy hands have made me and formed me: give me understanding, and I will
learn thy commandments.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">Piety</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> is the gift of the Holy Spirit to strengthen
our Hope. Piety turns our feelings, or affections to God and Religion so that
we can have a holy joy. This gift develops respect, love, and obedience toward
God and things that belong to God like Mary, the Angels and Saints, the Bible,
the Church and the Pope. We can develop this gift by meditating on the parts of
the Bible that reveal his goodness and mercy toward men. Another way to develop
this gift is to take your ordinary actions and then do them to show God that
you love Him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Romans
8:15</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> For you did not receive the spirit
of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship.
When we cry, "Abba! Father!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">The next
Gift of the Holy Spirit is <b>Wisdom</b>
which perfects Charity. This gift of wisdom, like Charity perfects all of the
others gifts. Wisdom shows us that all things come from God and that all things
lead us to God. We can cultivate this gift by begging for it, pursuing it, and
longing for it continually.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Wisdom 9:1</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> "O God of my fathers and Lord of mercy, who hast
made all things by thy word,<sup> 2</sup> and by thy wisdom hast formed man, to
have dominion over the creatures thou hast made,<sup> 3</sup> and rule the
world in holiness and righteousness, and pronounce judgment in uprightness of
soul,<sup> 4</sup> give me the wisdom that sits by thy throne, and do not
reject me from among thy servants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">What
gifts help us develop the Cardinal Virtues.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Prudence is given to us to help us choose the good and
avoid evil. The Holy Spirit gives us the gift of <b>Counsel</b> so that we can make these decisions promptly and correctly
especially in hard situations. We can help this gift grown by humbling
ourselves and recognizing our weaknesses. Then we must listen to the voice of
the Holy Spirit who will send us little promptings and if we are docile to
those then we will be accustomed to listening to him in larger matters as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">RSV </span></sup><b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Psalm
25:4</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> Make me to know thy ways, O LORD;
teach me thy paths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">The cardinal virtue of Justice is strengthened by the gift
of <b>Knowledge</b>. This kind of knowledge
is very specific because it communicates to us how things are related to God.
This gift helps us to see clearly what will help us and our neighbor get holy.
We can help this gift grow by looking on creation and created things and
creatures as God sees them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">The gift of Fear of the Lord helps us be temperate. This
fear is not a fear where we are afraid of hell or something like that. This is
a fear where we are afraid to hurt God’s feelings because we love Him. We can
practice this in three ways. 1<sup>st</sup> Know that God is great and that he
loves you more that you could ever imagine. 2<sup>nd</sup> Have a sorrow for
your sins that offend him. 3<sup>rd</sup> Take care to avoid persons, places,
and things that make you fall into sin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">We can help this gift by making a frequent examination of
conscience – Most books that I read recommend every night. Also meditate on the
Greatness of God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style"; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Psalm 118:120 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> <sup>120</sup> Pierce thou my flesh with thy
fear: for I am afraid of thy judgments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Finally the gift of <b>Fortitude</b>
helps us practice fortitude.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"> The virtue of fortitude helps us to do hard
things and stick with them. The Gift of Fortitude helps us do those same things
joyfully and fearlessly. To help this gift grow we must keep our eyes fixed on
Christ and know that the Holy Spirit has been poured out on us to helps us to
do all things.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Understanding - - Faith</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Piety - - - - - - - - - -Hope </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Wisdom - - - - - - - Charity</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Counsel - - - - - - - Prudence</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Knowledge - - - - - Justice</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Fortitude - - - - - - Fortitude</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Bookman Old Style";">Fear of the Lord - Temperance</span></div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-50452613149813848752013-04-11T13:52:00.000-07:002013-04-11T13:52:49.102-07:00I could really use your help.<br />
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">DEAR FANS OF BIBLE TIDBITS - The school where I teach - St. Edmund Campion Academy (to keep tuition low) - is having a raffle to raise funds. The prize is $1000 dollars. Tickets are 1 for $6 or 2 for $10. The drawing is this Saturday. If you are interested, please email me with the number of tickets you want (I will put your name on them from the drawing) and I will send you the school address where you can send the check. Thank you for your help. </span></span></h5>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Here is a link to our school. </span></span></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38;"><a href="http://www.stedmundcampion.info/Home.html"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">http://www.stedmundcampion.info/Home.html</span></a></span></div>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}" style="color: #333333; line-height: 1.38;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Dan - Catholic4areason@gmail.com</span></span></h5>
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Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-9433557827517067802013-03-27T19:00:00.001-07:002013-03-27T19:00:11.216-07:00<br />
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<b>If you are attending Easter Vigil Mass - write me and I will send you a free copy of a commentary on those readings. This is good for everyone especially Catholics and non-Catholics.</b></div>
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<b>Catholic4areason@gmail.com</b></div>
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<b>BIBLE TIDBIT BELOW:</b></div>
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What is the significance of a cock crowing when Peter denies Jesus. Why a rooster?</div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">It is Bob Salmon who saw this and I am passing this on to you all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">We have to back up to the garden of Gethsemene when Jesus warns his apostles to stay awake and pray, here is what Luke records:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>Luke 22:40</b> And when he came to the place he said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if thou art willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." 43 44 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, "Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation."</span></div>
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We see similar warnings in scripture like in revelation where Jesus is speaking of his second coming he says this:</div>
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<b>Revelation 16:15</b> ("Lo, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is he who is awake, keeping his garments that he may not go naked and be seen exposed!")</div>
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What does this mean to stay awake but to keep alert in your spirtual life that you might not fall away from the faith. The garments mention in Revelation signify the same thing. All throughout scripture whenever someone lost their garments it means that they fell into sin and lost their righteousness. Think of Adam and NOah.</div>
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But this verse has ties back to the garden of gethsemene as well</div>
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<b>Revelation 16:15</b> ("Lo, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is he who is awake, keeping his garments that he may not go naked and be seen exposed!")</div>
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Now listen to St. Mark who records this events after Jesus is arrested in the garden:</div>
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<b>Mark 14:51 </b>And a young man followed him, with nothing but a linen cloth about his body; and they seized him, 52 but he left the linen cloth and ran away naked.</div>
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Because he runs away from Christ, the symbol of the lost garment signifies loosing his righteousness. </div>
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Now back to Peter who was told by Jesus that he would deny him three times. After that third time that the Peter denies Jesus and the cock crows, Peter remembers what Jesus had said . So what is the significance of the Rooster crowing. What does a rooster crowing mean for everyone in the world. It means that it is time to get up. Peter, you have fallen into the sleep of sin - <b>wake up!!</b></div>
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Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-66125326845862998532013-02-28T04:31:00.001-08:002013-02-28T07:28:13.835-08:00Peter and the Papacy Part 1<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">Whenever there is a change in the Papacy this gives us an opportunity to share our faith but we usually have to defend our faith at this time as well. The Papacy in the minds of common folk is thought of as a relic from medieval times when the Pope took over real Christianity and made it a political power. What does the Bible say?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Bible says two things: First that Peter had a special role in the government of the Church and Second that this role would continue on through those who succeeded him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">How did Peter have a special role in the early Church?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This is something impossible to miss if you read the New Testament with this question in mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Peter is listed first in all of the lists of the apostles though he wasn’t the first chosen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Peter speaks the most of all the apostles combined.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sometimes Peter speaks for all of the apostles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sometimes it just says Peter and the apostles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jesus prays specifically for Peter alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">IN Acts of the apostles it is clear that Peter is in charge<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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- <span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He recognizes that the office of Judas needs to be filled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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- <span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He preaches the first Gospel on Pentecost<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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- <span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He performs the first miracle <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The most important thing that distinguishes Peter from the rest of the apostles is that Jesus gives to Peter the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This is the classic verse to point to show that Peter is given special authority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Matthew 16:18</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it.<sup> 19</sup> I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">There is a lot going on here but concerning Peter and the government here is what you need to know.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">1. Peter is the Rock<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The name Peter is Greek and it means – rock – So Jesus was really saying – You are Rock and on this rock I will build my Church. So Peter is that rock that Jesus will build his Church on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">2. Christ is building the Church <o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">It is Jesus who does the building. So many people today look at the Church without faith and see it as a human institution; this couldn’t be further from the truth. This is a divine institution as St. Paul says in: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">1 Corinthians 3:6-9 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> <sup>6</sup> I planted (the seeds of the Gospel) , Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. <sup>7</sup> So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. <sup>8</sup> He who plants and he who waters are equal, and each shall receive his wages according to his labor. <sup>9</sup> For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">3. The Church can’t be destroyed<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The Douay-Rheims Translation says<b> “</b></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Now there are many groups today that claim the original Church of Christ was destroyed and that in these modern times Christ has rebuilt his Church in them. This is not true. The Church of Christ can’t be destroyed because it is being built by God himself. Listen to St. Paul again:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Romans 8:31</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> If God is for us, who is against us?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">He means that if God is fighting on your side – who could the contender possibly be? There is none. Now in the book of Acts we see the testimony of a Jewish man who is talking about why Christianity should not be persecuted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Acts 5:38</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> if this council or this work be of men, it will come to nought;<sup> 39</sup> But if it be of God, you cannot overthrow it, lest perhaps you be found even to fight against God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This Jewish man said that if this work – meaning the Gospel and the Church are from God, then it can’t be fought because it would ultimately be fighting God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">4. Peter alone is given the keys to the kingdom of heaven<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">This point is a kind of bridge that not only points out Peter’s authority but also that Peter would have successors in that same authoritative role.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Matthew 16:19</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">These Keys are given in context of the Kingdom of Heaven, which God promised to establish in the Old Testament. The Kingdom of David prefigured this Heavenly Kingdom, which is now ruled by Christ the King<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Luke 1:32</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> He (Jesus) shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the most High; and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father; and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Jesus now sits on the throne of David and is ruling over the Kingdom of Heaven, and like David and those kings who would come after him, Jesus has put in place ministers of his Kingdom, like any Kingdom would have. In the Kingdom of David there was an office called the Mayor of the Palace who literally had keys that could open and shut all the doors. He would be similar to the Vice President or 2<sup>nd</sup> in command. He answered to no one but the king himself and was given great honor by all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">We see in <b>Isaiah 22:22-23</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">What is happening is that the mayor of the palace </span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Shebna is being punished for his sins and is being replaced by Eliakim. It is here in Isaiah that the transfer of power is recorded:</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">20</span></sup><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> In that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah,<sup> 21</sup> and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your girdle on him, and will commit your authority to his hand; and he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah.<sup> 22</sup> And I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.<sup> 23</sup> And I will fasten him like a peg in a sure place, and he will become a throne of honor to his father's house.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Listen to what Jesus tells Peter and then listen again to what God tells Shebna<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Matthew 16:19</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Isaiah 22:22</span></b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> And I will place on his (Eliakim’s) shoulder the key of the house of David; he shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">We see the keys and then the power of the keys to bind and loose, we also see the keys being associated with an office that when one person leaves another takes his place. This is called succession. One person leaves and another takes their place. Pope Benedict XVI is the 265<sup>th</sup> person to hold this office that was established with Peter and the promised of Jesus are just as true today and they were where 2000 years ago.</span></div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-86546622887203050062013-02-07T04:32:00.000-08:002013-02-07T04:32:02.876-08:00The Poor in Spirit and the Apostles<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">In
the Gospels we read about when Jesus sent out the apostles two by two. Yet when
we consider this part in particular:<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gospel Mk
6:7-13<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Jesus summoned the
Twelve and began to send them out two by two and gave them authority over
unclean spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the journey but a </span><span style="border: none windowtext 1.0pt; font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0in; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; padding: 0in;">walking stick</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> –no food, no sack,
no money in their belts. They were, however, to wear sandals but not a second
tunic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now when we read the
Gospel of Matthew in chapter 10 he says to not take a staff or sandals. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Now there are those
who would tell us that these two statements contradict one another. But this is
not true. You know the gospels can all be read in about 4-6 hours if you read
them straight through. Is this all Jesus did; 4-6 hours worth of work? Did
Jesus only send his apostles out one time? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Certainly not. One
time he sent them out with sandals and staff, another time he sent them out
without sandals and staff. So when you should hear stories that some tell of
the supposed contradictions in the gospels, believe none of it. But this isn’t
what I wanted to focus on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Why does Jesus send
them out with nothing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This was on the job
training. Jesus is pushing them out into the street with training wheels and is
telling them – you need to trust that you will be taken care of.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">St. Bede says that
preachers today should likewise trust in God, that they should take no thought
for supplying their needs in the present world, and he should feel certain that
these will be satisfied. These temporal things should not be a concern of his
or he might start providing less of eternal things to others.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18pt;">This is a great example of the
beatitude – blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of
heaven.</span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There is no better
way to be detached from material things than to simply give them up. We can’t
take them with us when we die and they tend to tie us down to earth. So Jesus
here is helping them live out that particular beatitude. Religious take a vow
of poverty which accomplishes that first step toward perfection and eternal
life. Jesus here is helping the apostles to live that out. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The purpose, I think, of at one
time sending them with staff and shoes and another time saying – even leave the
staff and shoes behind is this:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">He is
meeting the apostles where they are in their spiritual life but calling them
continually to something deeper. God meets us where we are, but continually
asks us to love Him more than we love the world. When Jesus first meets Peter, he doesn’t tell
him that he will be crucified upside down. He hints at it slowly until 40 years
later, Peter is glad to do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We all know how
important shoes are and a staff would be used for support but also for
defending yourself. To give these up would be a big step to both them and us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In a spiritual sense
St. Augustine has an interesting insight into why they were told at that one
time TO wear sandals. (these sandals were padded under the foot but open to the
air on the top) he says this:</span><span class="A10"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"> Mark, by saying that they are to be shod with sandals or soles, warns
us that this mode of protecting the feet has a mystical signification, that the
foot should neither be covered above nor be naked on the ground, that is, that
the Gospel should neither be hid, nor rest upon earthly comforts.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="A10"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">So just as with sandals
on that are open so as to see their feet, yet padded so as to not touch the
earth; living the gospel is the same way: Our life is Christ is something that
we should never hide, and at the same time our life is one that should not be
attached to this earth. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="A10"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="A10"><b><span style="font-size: large;">These kinds of insights come from commentaries, especially from the ones that I have compiled that are for sale to the RIGHT. These are not my own commentaries per se, but are a compilation of 4 commentaries put together into one, beginning with the Church Fathers to present day. </span></b></span></div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4804111164949504716.post-29963126235779741502013-01-03T04:33:00.001-08:002013-01-03T04:33:14.255-08:00Summary of our Faith - In the Bible<br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In the past we have looked at summarizing the faith
so as to see the big picture. We as Catholics should be able to present the
faith to someone if asked, especially if we have children we need to be
constantly living the faith but explicitly teaching the faith to them as well. We can summarize our faith for someone but then back that up with the Bible
as well.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">I would
say this - we are made for a relationship with God, but because we offend him
with sin this relationship is severely damaged. So God the Father sent his Son
to repair that relationship through His suffering, death, resurrection, and
ascension into heaven, from where he gives us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit
is received by those who believe in the work of the Son of God and are
baptized. Now that we have received the Holy Spirit through baptism, we can now
live a new life in fellowship with the Father which is maintained by the
sacraments and prayer. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">How does the Bible present all of this?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">If we
know our Bible History, we know that on Ascension Thursday right before Jesus
was taken from the apostles it says this:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Acts 1:4-5 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> And while staying with
them he [Jesus] charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the
promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me, for John baptized with water,
but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">So the apostles are to wait for the promised Holy Spirit
by whom they will be baptized.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Acts 2</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> says this (and I am paraphrasing) - Nine days
later the Holy Spirit arrives and transforms these frightened fishermen into
fearless witnesses for Christ. Those who hear them preaching think they are
drunk but Peter says - We are not drunk but have received that promised Holy
Spirit, spoken of by the prophets. Jesus was the Christ which was proven over
and over by miracles and you all had him killed. But God has risen him up and
he now sits at the right hand of the Father from where he has poured out on us
the Spirit which was promised.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This part that you just told us corresponds to the
Creed. We say this is what God has done in the past. Now how do we get in touch
with that thing that happened in the past today?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The first
step is to believe the message. Do I believe that what Jesus did back then was
for my benefit? Now some people say – Yes I do believe, and they think right
there and then they are saved. This is not the case. If an emergency worker
knocked on your door and said there is a tornado headed this way and I can take
you to safety, and I said – I believe you can take me to safety. I still have
to follow the emergency worker to actually be saved. The same thing is true
with Jesus, and we see it happen in the church in Acts 2. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><b>Acts 2:37 </b>Now when they heard this they were cut to the
heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what
shall we do?"<sup> <o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Now that
they believe in the work and person of Christ, it is then applied through
Baptism, just as Jesus said: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 24.44444465637207px;">Acts 2:38, 39 </b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be
baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of
your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.<sup> </sup>For
the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every
one whom the Lord our God calls to him<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So I believe in the work of Christ which
corresponds to the Creed in the Catechism, and I now receive the Holy Spirit
through the Sacraments…this is so we can walk in newness of life, or as the
Catechism calls it – Life in Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Amen to
that, listen to St. Paul<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Romans 6:3-4 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> Do
you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were
baptized into his death? We
were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was
raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness
of life.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 18pt;">So the reason we receive the sacraments which communicate God’s
very life to us, (such as baptism) is so that we might walk in a new life, a
life in the Spirit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Galatians 5:1, 2, 16-25</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> For
freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast therefore, and do not submit again
to a yoke of slavery.<sup> </sup> …But I say, walk by the
Spirit, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh.<sup> </sup>For the
desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are
against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from
doing what you would.<sup> </sup>…<sup> </sup>Now the works of the flesh are
plain: fornication, impurity, licentiousness,<sup> </sup>idolatry, sorcery,
enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, dissension, party spirit,<sup> </sup>envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.<sup> </sup>But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness,<sup> </sup>gentleness, self-control; against such there is no
law.<sup> </sup>And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the
flesh with its passions and desires.<sup> </sup>If we live by the Spirit,
let us also walk by the Spirit.<sup> </sup><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 18pt;">Finally this new relationship with God
is maintained by prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Jude 1:20 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most
holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">1 Thessalonians 5:17 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> Pray without ceasing</span><span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua', serif; font-size: 18pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Philippians 4:6-8 </span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> Have no anxiety about
anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, … will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ
Jesus. Finally, brethren,
whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there
is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">So we
see that even in the Bible, this outline which the Catechism presents to us is
present, and is summarized in <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;">Acts 2:42</span></b><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-language: HE;"> And they devoted themselves to the apostles'
teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.</span></div>
Daniel Eganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04784129033195345477noreply@blogger.com0