Posted: 2/25/2009 8:17:00 AM EDT
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March 1, 2009
First Sunday of Lent Reading 1 Gn 9:8-15 God said to Noah and to his sons with him: "See, I am now establishing my covenant with you and your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you: all the birds, and the various tame and wild animals that were with you and came out of the ark. I will establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all bodily creatures be destroyed by the waters of a flood; there shall not be another flood to devastate the earth." God added: "This is the sign that I am giving for all ages to come, of the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you: I set my bow in the clouds to serve as a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth, and the bow appears in the clouds, I will recall the covenant I have made between me and you and all living beings, so that the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all mortal beings." Reading II 1 Pt 3:18-22 Beloved: Christ suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. Put to death in the flesh, he was brought to life in the Spirit. In it he also went to preach to the spirits in prison, who had once been disobedient while God patiently waited in the days of Noah during the building of the ark, in which a few persons, eight in all, were saved through water. This prefigured baptism, which saves you now. It is not a removal of dirt from the body but an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers subject to him. Gospel Mk 1:12-15 The Spirit drove Jesus out into the desert, and he remained in the desert for forty days, tempted by Satan. He was among wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him. After John had been arrested, Jesus came to Galilee proclaiming the gospel of God: "This is the time of fulfillment. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." 
Overview of the Gospel: · This Sunday’s Gospel reading takes place right after Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (verses 9-11). Somewhat more detailed accounts of this event are given in the other synoptic gospels of Matthew (4:1-11) and Luke (4:1-13). · In the same way that Adam was tempted in the garden “among wild beasts” and the children of Israel were tempted in the wilderness, Jesus undergoes a very real temptation by Satan, whose name means “adversary” (1 Peter 5:8, RSV-CE) or “accuser” (Revelation 12:10). Jesus, however, out of love for his Father (Mk 1:11), succeeds where Adam and Israel failed. · The arrest of John (verse 14; Matthew 14:1-12) is a key event in the gospels, marking a shift in Jesus’ ministry from Judea, in the south, to the Galilee region of the north. John’s arrest also foreshadows Jesus’ own arrest leading to his trial and crucifixion. · “The kingdom of God” refers to God’s sovereign rule over all the nations through Jesus. It is idealized by the Old Testament Davidic kingdom at it’s height which ruled not only over the twelve tribes of Israel (2 Samuel 5:1-5; Matthew 19:28) but exercised control and influence over gentile (non-Jewish) nations (1 Kings 4:20-21; Matthew 28:18-20). The kingdom that Jesus announces will, through his death on the cross, turn this ideal into a spiritual reality (Ephesians 2:11-22). Questions: What is the significance of the number “forty” in verse 13? What other great events in salvation history revolve around this number (Genesis 7:11-12; Exodus 25:15-18; Numbers 15:26-35; 1 Kings 19:1-8)? What is the common preaching theme of John the Baptist (Mark 1:2-4), Jesus (verse 15), and the first disciples (Acts 2:37-38)? What does it mean to “repent”? Why do you think it is important for us to hear about Jesus’ temptation by Satan in the wilderness? What benefit is it for us to undergo our own temptations (Hebrews 12:3-11; James 1:2-4)? Besides Satan, where do temptations come from (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 7:15-25a)? After his temptation, Jesus was ministered to by angels (verse 13). When we have successfully resisted temptation, are we able to see how God sustains and rewards us? How? Both John the Baptist (Mark 1:6) and Jesus followed practices of self-discipline for religious reasons. What self-disciplining practices do you use for religious reasons? How have they influenced your own “change of heart” (repentance)? Catechism of the Catholic Church: 362 Humanity as body and soul. 374-379 Humanity in paradise. 396-411 Original sin. Freedom is tested. Consequences for all. God's fidelity. 538-540 Temptations of Jesus. 703-704 God forms the world through the Son and the Spirit. 1427-1439 Jesus calls to conversion. Interior penance and penitential practices. 2043 Church precept about fasting. 2846-2849 "Lead us not into temptation." |
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Questions:
[span style='font-weight: bold;']What is the significance of the number “forty” in verse 13? What other great events in salvation history revolve around this number (Genesis 7:11-12; Exodus 25:15-18; Numbers 15:26-35; 1 Kings 19:1-8)? Tons! 40 days and nights for Noah, 40 years wandering in the Desert after the Exodus, etc. What is the common preaching theme of John the Baptist (Mark 1:2-4), Jesus (verse 15), and the first disciples (Acts 2:37-38)? What does it mean to “repent”?
Repent means more than just feeling sorry for what we've done. It means to turn back. We are called to turn back to God and turn away from sin; hence the saying tonight when we were signed with ashes: "Turn away from your sins and believe in the Gospel." Why do you think it is important for us to hear about Jesus’ temptation by Satan in the wilderness? What benefit is it for us to undergo our own temptations (Hebrews 12:3-11; James 1:2-4)?
Jesus was like us in every way except sin. He knows what it's like to be tempted more than any of us do. Who really knows temptation: the one who gives in to the temptation, or the one who resists its full onslaught? Knowing that Jesus was tempted shows that He was human like us, and we can expect to be tempted as well. In temptation we can become stronger. Besides Satan, where do temptations come from (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 7:15-25a)?
An old Baltimore Catechism question! The three sources of temptation are: the devil, the world, and the self. As a side note, I get to read the first reading at our diocese's Rite of Election this Sunday! I'm stoked! |
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Quoted:
Its interesting to note in Peter that there is another state of being, as described as spiritual prison. There is a bit of debate if that is purgatory, or as the Jews termed it, sheol. Thoughts? St. Thomas Aquinas gives two interpretations, one from St. John of Damascus and one from St. Augustine. Aquinas preferred Augustine's interpretation but I support St. John of Damascus on this one, not often do I part ways with Aquinas and Augustine but I do here! Here is the quote.... These words of Peter are referred by some to Christ's descent into hell: and they explain it in this sense: "Christ preached to them who formerly were unbelievers, and who were shut up in prison"––that is, in hell––"in spirit"––that is, by His soul. Hence Damascene says (De Fide Orth. iii): "As He evangelized them who are upon the earth, so did He those who were in hell"; not in order to convert unbelievers unto belief, but to put them to shame for their unbelief, since preaching cannot be understood otherwise than as the open manifesting of His Godhead. which was laid bare before them in the lower regions by His descending in power into hell. Augustine, however, furnishes a better exposition of the text in his Epistle to Evodius quoted above, namely, that the preaching is not to be referred to Christ's descent into hell, but to the operation of His Godhead, to which He gave effect from the beginning of the world. Consequently, the sense is, that "to those (spirits) that were in prison"––that is, living in the mortal body, which is, as it were, the soul's prison-house––"by the spirit" of His Godhead "He came and preached" by internal inspirations, and from without by the admonitions spoken by the righteous: to those, I say, He preached "which had been some time incredulous," i.e. not believing in the preaching of Noah, "when they waited for the patience of God," whereby the chastisement of the Deluge was put off: accordingly (Peter) adds: "In the days of Noah, when the Ark was being built." By the way, Sheol is Hebrew and in Greek it is called Hades, and unfortunately some translators have translated it as "Hell" and that causes confusion. Hell is the Lake of Fire where the lost will go after the resurrection in the end of time, while Hades is the place of punishment where souls (only) go until the resurrection. So the place that Christ went and preached to the souls was actually Hades, since no one is in Hell (Lake of Fire) yet. I explain it HERE |
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After his temptation, Jesus was ministered to by angels (verse 13). When we have successfully resisted temptation, are we able to see how God sustains and rewards us? How?
When I have resisted temptations and walk the fine line I notice that God does more through me, but when I choose to stumble (and it is truly my choice) I find that little if any fruitful work for God succeeds through me. Just an example that sin and the Holy Spirit mix like water and oil. Both John the Baptist (Mark 1:6) and Jesus followed practices of self-discipline for religious reasons. What self-disciplining practices do you use for religious reasons? How have they influenced your own “change of heart” (repentance)? Scripture study is what I do that I find myself fully driven at. I meditate in prayer and meditate over Scripture as well as on what I can do to reach people for Christ. Those things are usually on my mind the biggest part of the time. I try to fast more, which I sure have much more room to grow in that area. |
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Quoted:
What is the significance of the number “forty” in verse 13? What other great events in salvation history revolve around this number (Genesis 7:11-12; Exodus 25:15-18; Numbers 15:26-35; 1 Kings 19:1-8)?
Tons! 40 days and nights for Noah, 40 years wandering in the Desert after the Exodus, etc. The 40 days was seen as a time of change, a time to prepare for a new covenant with God. Moses was also on Mount Sinai for 40 days, before bringing down the tablets with God's commandments. What is the common preaching theme of John the Baptist (Mark 1:2-4), Jesus (verse 15), and the first disciples (Acts 2:37-38)? What does it mean to “repent”?
Repent means more than just feeling sorry for what we've done. It means to turn back. We are called to turn back to God and turn away from sin; hence the saying tonight when we were signed with ashes: "Turn away from your sins and believe in the Gospel." I would add that in order to turn away from our sins, we need to examine ourselves to really know what those sins are. We must become more aware of our sins through introspection. In the first reading, the flood water can be seen to symbolize the consequences of sin. We have to look at how our own personal actions have contributed to those flood waters that are rising all around us. We need to then take the action to get on the ark! With Jesus being the new Noah and the Church being the new ark, His message is to get on board. Why do you think it is important for us to hear about Jesus’ temptation by Satan in the wilderness? What benefit is it for us to undergo our own temptations (Hebrews 12:3-11; James 1:2-4)?
Jesus was like us in every way except sin. He knows what it's like to be tempted more than any of us do. Who really knows temptation: the one who gives in to the temptation, or the one who resists its full onslaught? Knowing that Jesus was tempted shows that He was human like us, and we can expect to be tempted as well. In temptation we can become stronger. We are meant to imitate Christ, so He is showing us another fine example here of fasting, introspection, meditation as ways to get closer to the Father. Besides Satan, where do temptations come from (1 John 2:15-17; Romans 7:15-25a)?
An old Baltimore Catechism question! The three sources of temptation are: the devil, the world, and the self. As a side note, I get to read the first reading at our diocese's Rite of Election this Sunday! I'm stoked! That's great! Hopefully, I didn't make things too confusing with the format here. I wanted to respond by adding to loonybin's answers, but this editor makes it tricky. |
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Quoted:
By the way, Sheol is Hebrew and in Greek it is called Hades, and unfortunately some translators have translated it as "Hell" and that causes confusion. Hell is the Lake of Fire where the lost will go after the resurrection in the end of time, while Hades is the place of punishment where souls (only) go until the resurrection. So the place that Christ went and preached to the souls was actually Hades, since no one is in Hell (Lake of Fire) yet. I explain it HERE In your link, you state that: Hades is sometimes referred to as Hell. It is the place where the souls of the unsaved go immediately after death. Hades is not Purgatory either, Purgatory is only for the saved who are on their way to Heaven, but Hades is a temporary place of punishment for the unsaved. The souls in Hades will one day be reunited with their old bodies at Judgment Day and then cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity.
I thought that Hades was the temporary holding place for all souls, saved or unsaved, until the resurrection of Jesus opened the gates of heaven for the righteous. The wicked were punished, while the good were comforted by the angels at the place in Hades called the Bosom of Abraham. I thought Jesus went to preach to the righteous - who were already saved and just waiting for him - then brought them to heaven. I agree that this is not the same as purgatory, but exactly where purgatory fits into all of this, I don't know. 
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Quoted:
Quoted:
By the way, Sheol is Hebrew and in Greek it is called Hades, and unfortunately some translators have translated it as "Hell" and that causes confusion. Hell is the Lake of Fire where the lost will go after the resurrection in the end of time, while Hades is the place of punishment where souls (only) go until the resurrection. So the place that Christ went and preached to the souls was actually Hades, since no one is in Hell (Lake of Fire) yet. I explain it HERE In your link, you state that: Hades is sometimes referred to as Hell. It is the place where the souls of the unsaved go immediately after death. Hades is not Purgatory either, Purgatory is only for the saved who are on their way to Heaven, but Hades is a temporary place of punishment for the unsaved. The souls in Hades will one day be reunited with their old bodies at Judgment Day and then cast into the Lake of Fire for eternity.
I thought that Hades was the temporary holding place for all souls, saved or unsaved, until the resurrection of Jesus opened the gates of heaven for the righteous. The wicked were punished, while the good were comforted by the angels at the place in Hades called the Bosom of Abraham. I thought Jesus went to preach to the righteous - who were already saved and just waiting for him - then brought them to heaven. I agree that this is not the same as purgatory, but exactly where purgatory fits into all of this, I don't know. You are correct about Hades being the place where both the souls of the saved and unsaved were before Jesus descended before His resurrection. But when He rose from the dead He took the saints to Heaven while leaving the lost in Hades. Eph 4:8 Wherefore he said, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. As for Purgatory, that is a totally separate place or better yet "state". It has nothing to do with Hades. Purgatory is only for those who are on their way to Heaven but are getting cleaned up on the way.(1Cor 3:12-15) Whether it is an actual place, that is uncertain, it may very well be the state of the soul on its trip to Heaven. Hades is the place now where the souls of the unsaved are punished until the resurrection at the end of time, and their souls will be reunited with their bodies and then they will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. Rev. 20:11-15 Hades is probably in the center of the earth, Scripture seems to indicate that.... Matthew 12:40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. Phil. 2:10.so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, |