AletheiAnveshana: Bible Study
Showing posts with label Bible Study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible Study. Show all posts

Wednesday, 19 March 2025

The Gospel of Luke and The Book of Jonah (Lesson 6 – Mar 18, 2025)

 

The Gospel of Luke and The Book of Jonah

(Lesson 6 – Mar 18, 2025)

 

                                              Disobedience - the Call to Mercy

 

The Book of Jonah, a story of a prophet's disobedience as a “drama of Israel

Prophesied during the time of Jeroboam II, demanded to “restore Israel’s borders (2 King 14:25)

 

The ancient city of Nineveh is today the city of Mosul, Iraq. Tarshish is uncertain—it could be Spain, Lebanon, or the Red Sea. Jonah tries to use his theology and his spirituality. The symbolism of both the first and Second Adam.

 

1:2-3 “Arise, go to Nineveh… But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD;  and he went down to Joppa, and found a ship going to Tarshish

 

V. 4:  The LORD sent out a great wind into the sea…the ship was likely to be broken.

 

V. 5    Jonah had gone down into the inner parts of the ship, and he lay and was fast asleep.

 

V. 9: “I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who has made the sea and the dry land.”

 

V. 12: 'Take me up and cast me forth into the sea. So shall the sea be calm unto you.

 

V.15: They took up Jonah and cast him forth into the sea, and the sea ceased from her raging

 

V.17: The LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and three nights.

 

2.1: Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish's belly.

 

2.10: And the LORD spoke unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land

 

3.4: And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried and said, 'Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.'

 

3.7: 'Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything; let them not feed, nor drink water.

 

3.10: And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. And God repented of the evil that He had said that He would do unto them, and He did it not.

 

4.2:  I fled before unto Tarshish; for I knew that Thou art a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repents of the evil.

 

4.4: Then said the LORD, 'Doest thou well to be angry?'

 

4.6:  And the LORD God prepared a gourd and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head to deliver him from his grief. So, Jonah was exceedingly glad for the gourd.

 

4.7: But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd so that it withered.

 

4.8: It is better for me to die than to live.'

 

4.11: And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than six thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand, and also many cattle?'

 

Jonah's Disobedience and the Call to Mercy

 

Jonah’s Resistance: Jonah initially disobeyed God's command to prophesy against the city of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, a major enemy of Israel.

 

Jonah’s Perspective: Jonah’s resistance stems from his own nationalistic biases and his desire for God to punish his enemies, rather than show them mercy.

 

God's Universal Love and compassion desire for the salvation of all people, even enemies.

 

The Sea and the Fish symbolize his descent into a place of despair and isolation.

 

Jonah's Repentance in the belly of the fish seeking mercy, not entirely genuine repentance. It was the place of the Leviathan (Job 3:8; 41; Psa. 74:14; Ps. 104:26; Is. 27:1), as well as the sea monster Rahab (Job 26:12; Ps. 89:10; Is. 30:7; 51:9).

Upon hearing Jonah's message, repent and God spares the city, Nineveh's Repentance further highlights God's mercy and the potential for transformation.

 

Jonah is Frustrated by God's mercy, which he sees as a betrayal of his own expectations for justice.

 

Thematic Connections to Israel: The story of Jonah can be seen as a reflection of Israel's own history of disobedience and the challenges of embracing God's universal love.

 

Nationalism vs. Universalism: Jonah's story forces the reader to confront the tension between nationalistic pride and the call to embrace a broader vision of God's love for all people.

 

The Importance of Repentance: Jonah's story underscores the importance of repentance and the transformative power of turning to God, even in the face of personal hardship or conflict.

 

 

 

O sleeper? arise, call upon thy God” (Jonah 1:6)

 

 

 

In the Gospel of Luke Jonah is referenced 4 times in 3 verses

 

11:29 'This is an evil generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah ...'

 

11:30      For Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be a sign to this generation.

 

11:32      On judgment day the men of Nineveh will appear against this generation and be its condemnation, because when Jonah preached they repented, and look, there is something greater than Jonah here.

 

The Gospel of Luke emphasizes God's profound love and mercy for sinners particularly highlighted in parables like the lost sheep, lost coin, and the prodigal son.

 

Jesus, Friend of Sinners (Lk 5:27-32): Luke’s Gospel consistently portrays Jesus as associating with and eating with tax collectors and “sinners”.

 

Parables of Repentance (Lk 15): The famous parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and the prodigal son are central to understanding God’s love for sinners.

 

Lost Sheep (15: 4-7): The shepherd leaves 99 sheep to search for the one lost sheep, illustrating God's pursuit of individuals who have strayed.

 

Lost Coin (15:8-10): A woman searches diligently for a lost coin, representing God's tireless search for the lost.

 

Prodigal Son (15:11-32): The father's unconditional love and joyous welcome of his repentant son, even after his mistakes, epitomizes God's grace and mercy.

 

Zacchaeus' Transformation (Lk 19:1-10): The story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who repents after encountering Jesus, demonstrates God's willingness to forgive and transform even the most notorious sinners.

 

Love for Enemies: Jesus teaches his followers to love their enemies, do good to those who hate them, and bless those who curse them (Lk 6:27-36), reflecting God's universal and unconditional love.

 

God's Mercy: Jesus emphasizes the importance of being merciful, just as God is merciful (Lk 6:36), highlighting the need for compassion and forgiveness.

 

Jesus' Mission: Luke emphasizes that Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Lk 19:10), further solidifying the message of God's love for sinners.

 

 

 

 

The Sacrament of Reconciliation and Marriage

 Restoration of familial Relationships

 

Marriage: God’s Great Plan “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth” (Gen 1:28)

 

Repentance and the Restoration of Married Life: Willed by God in the very act of creation, marriage and the family are interiorly ordained to fulfillment in Christ and have need of his graces in order to be healed from the wounds of sin and restored to their    “beginning” (Role of Christian Family in the Modern World, n. 3) JP II.

 

“The sacrament of marriage is the specific source and original means of sanctification for Christian married couples and families” (Role of the Christian Family, n. 56) JP II.

 

Responsibilities in God’s call to holiness: The Responsibilities are fourfold in nature: 1) to God; 2) to spouse; 3) to children; 4) to society at large.

 

(1)  Responsibilities to God: Have I gone to Mass every Sunday? Have I read the Bible? Have I told God that I want to love him with my whole heart, mind and strength? Do I hold any resentments toward God? Have I been financially generous to the Church? Have I participated in parish or religious activities?

 

(2)  Responsibilities to my spouse: Have I cared for my spouse? Have I told my spouse that I love him or her? Have I allowed resentments and bitterness toward my spouse to take root in my mind? Have I nurtured these? Have I forgiven my spouse for the wrongs he or she has committed against me? Have I had an abortion or encouraged others to have one? Have I misused alcohol or drugs?

 

(3)  Responsibilities to children: Have I cared for the spiritual needs of my children?  Have I prayed with them? Have I disciplined them when necessary? Have I talked with them to find out their problems, concerns and fears? Have I been impatient and frustrated with them? Have I been of one heart and mind with my spouse in the upbringing of the children?

 

(4)  Responsibilities to society: Have I been a Christian witness to those with whom I work or associate? Have I allowed the Gospel to influence my political and social opinions? Have I fostered or nurtured hatred toward my “political” enemies, either local, national or international? Have I been prejudiced toward others because of race, color, religion or social status?

 

Have mercy on me, O God….Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (Ps 51: 1-2)

 

Wednesday, 5 March 2025

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE (Lesson 5 – Mar 4, 2025) Ch. 2: 1-52

 

 

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE

(Lesson 5 – Mar 4, 2025) Ch. 2: 1-52

 

 

2: 1-7 The Birth of Jesus: Caesar Augustus (27 B.C. – A.D. 14) was considered as “savior” and “god” decreed the enrollment of the whole empire, non-citizens.

-        There were local registrations within various provinces from time to time, under the Roman legate Quirinius.

-        Luke attests that both John the Baptist and Jesus were born under Herod the Great (37 B. C., - 4 B. C).

 

For Luke’s theological intention, Pax Romana Augusta is not Augustus Caesar as the prince of the peace but Jesus of Bethlehem

 

V. 7: The Gk term “phatne” = “manger” also “stable”. Another Gk term “kataluma” = “inn” specially means “lodging” or “guestroom” with space for a dining area (this term is employed in Lk 22:11), that he might reprove the glory of the world, and condemn the vanities of this present life.

 

“firstborn son: Roman, Greek, Coptic, Armenian, and other ancient tradition, the phrase represents a title of honor (Gn 27; Ex13:2; Nm 3:12-13; Dt 21:15-27) It does not imply that Mary had other children after Jesus. The term adelfos (ἀδελφοί) excludes. JC

Mk 10:18 “And Jesus said unto him, “Why do you call me good? There is none good but One, that is, God”.

 

Vv. 8-20: The announcement of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds is a blessing to the lowly.

V. 11 Luke only uses the title “savior” for Jesus (Lk 1:69; 19:9; Acts 4:12; Acts 5:31).  Wordsworth gives up the problem, and thinks that the Holy Spirit has concealed the knowledge of the year and day of Christ’s birth and the duration of His ministry from the wise and prudent to teach them humility

 

Gr word “Christos” = Hb word “masiah” = En word Messiah – meaning “anointed one” to bring salvation to all humanity. Hb word “Adonai” = Gk “kurios” = En “Lord”

 

V. 14: “On earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” - the concept of peace in Luke is more than the absence of war of the pax Augustus (Lk 2:14; 7:50; 8:48; 10:5-6) etc..

V. 21 – incorporation into the Jewish people through circumcision.

 

Vv. 22-40: The presentation of Jesus in the temple

V. 22: Purification ((Lev 12:2-8) – the woman who gives birth to a boy is unable for forty days to touch anything sacred or to enter the temple area by reason of her legal impurity. Mary fulfills the law by bringing the offering.

 

Num 3: 47-48: the firstborn son should be redeemed by the parents through their payment of five shekels to a member of a priestly family. In this regard, Luke does not speak.

 

V. 25: Awaiting the consolation of Israel: expectations of faithful for God’s rule.

 

Vv. 29-32 Nunc dimittis: is the fourth and final hymn from the Lukan infancy narratives and has traditionally been part of Compline or night office in the Liturgy of the Hours.

 

V. 34: the schism motif runs throughout Luke’s Gospel.

 

V. 35: “and you yourself a sword will pierce” – her blessedness as mother of the Lord will be challenged by her son who describes true blessedness as “as hearing the word of God and observing it” (Lk 22:27-28; 8:20-21). Mary is elevated to the role of the model disciple. To love Jesus is to suffer with him.

 

Vv. 36-38: Anna, daughter of Phanuel, has made her utterly dependent on God’s goodness – spoke about the redemption of Jerusalem.

 

Vv. 39-40: Nazareth and Bethlehem: The evangelists composed stories that get Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and then back up to Nazareth.

 

Vv. 41-52: The boy Jesus in the Temple: Jesus returns with his parents to Nazareth, and nothing is heard about him until he is an adult and begins his ministry. The next time we read of Jesus in Jerusalem will be at his triumphal entry (19:28-39), which leads to his death.

 

Vv. 41-42: Child Jesus was raised in the traditions of Israel. The infancy narrative ends.

 

V. 49: “I must be in my Father’s house”: Jesus refers to God as his Father. His divine sonship, obedience to his heavenly Father’s will, takes precedence over his ties to his family.

 

 

The missing years of Jesus from 12 -30 ????

 

 

 

 

 

LENTEN SEASON

HISTORY

 

Ash Wednesday is a holy day to begin the Lenten journey. It marks the beginning of 40 days of prayer, penance, and almsgiving.

 

The Council of Nicaea in 325, “all the Churches agreed that Easter, the Christian Passover, should be celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon (14 Nisan) after the vernal equinox” (CCC No. 1170).

 

(1)             In the Early Church

 

The word “Lent” means “springtime,” was used (2 c.) to describe the period of individual fasting, almsgiving, and prayer to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus.

 

In the first three centuries, only catechumens observed two or three days to receive Baptism on Easter Sunday.

 

(2)             40 Days of Lent - the Holy Bible

-        Israel journeyed 40 years in the wilderness

-        Moses spent 40 days receiving the commandments on Mount Sinai (Ex 24:18)

-        Noah was on the Ark waiting for the rains to end for 40 days and 40 nights (Gn 7:4)

-        Elijah “walked forty days and forty nights to the mount Horeb” (1 Kgs 19:8)

-        Jesus fasted 40 days in the desert to be tempted by the devil (Mt 4:1-11)

-        In the forty days of Lent the Church unites herself to the mystery of Jesus (CCC 540)

 

(3)             The Count of the 40 Days

-        The Latin Church uses six weeks to identify the Lenten period, excluding the Sundays, so there are only 36 fasting days.

-        In the early 7th C, St. Pope Gregory the Great (590-604) resolved this situation by adding the Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before the first Sunday of Lent. Thus, the Lenten 40-day fast, or the Great Fast as it was known, would begin on a Wednesday.

-        Initially, people fasted all 40 days of Lent, observing a little meal for survival.

-        St. John Chrysostom (347-409) writes, “Do you fast? Give me proof of it by your works! If you see a poor man, take pity on him! If you see an enemy, be reconciled to him! If you see a friend gaining honor, envy him not! If you see a handsome woman, pass her by!”

 

(4)             Ashes The Church uses ashes as an outward sign of grief, humility, penance.

 

(a)   The Old Testament

-         Job repented: “Therefore, I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes” (42:6).

-        Daniel “turned to the Lord God, to seek help, in prayer and petition, with fasting, sackcloth, and ashes” (Dn 9:3).

-        Jonah preached conversion and repentance to the people of Nineveh: “That day they fasted and wore sackcloth; they sprinkled ashes on their heads and tore their garments” (1 Mc 3:47).

 

(b)  Abbot Aelfric (1000) England wrote: “We read in the books both in the Old Law and in the new that men who repented of their sins bestowed on themselves with ashes and clothed their bodies with sackcloth. Now let us do this little at the beginning of our Lent, that we strew ashes upon our heads, to signify that we ought to repent of our sins during the Lenten feast” (“Aelfric’s Lives of Saints,” 1881, p. 263).


(c)   This same rite of distributing ashes on the Wednesday that begins Lent was recommended for universal use by Pope Urban II at the Synod of Benevento in 1091.

 

 

(d)  Abbot Gueranger, O.S.B. (1800): “We are entering, today, upon a long campaign of the warfare spoke of by the apostles: forty days of battle, forty days of penance. We shall not turn cowards, if our souls can but be impressed with the conviction that the battle and the penance must be gone through. Let us listen to the eloquence of the solemn rite which opens our Lent. Let us go whither our mother leads us, that is, to the scene of the fall.”

 

 

The five precepts of the Catholic Church are (CCC 2041-2043)

1.     Attend Mass on Sundays and holy days of obligation

2.     Fast and abstain on appointed days

3.     Confess sins at least once a year

4.     Receive Holy Communion at least once a year

5.     Contribute to the Church's support

 

 

 

 

 

for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” (Gn 3:19)