Catholic Doctrine Bible Study

John leaves out Jesus’ agony in the garden (“Let this cup pass....)  This is not a contradiction with the other gospels; John chooses to report on events that emphasize that Jesus is in total control of the situation. Other examples of this: 18v.4 Jesus “went out” and approached, proactively, the soldiers. v.6 After another of Jesus’ “I AM” sayings, the soldiers fell to the ground, as if in fear. v. 11 No hesitation to die. 19v. 11 (Pilate) would have NO POWER except what had been given him from above. 19:13 (Some translations) Jesus seated on the Judge’s bench. ————————————————— (Unrelated to above) 18:38 Pilate’s question (“What is truth?”) is still asked today by skeptics (as Pilate was) and agnostics.  There is absolute truth in Christ, not merely relative truth. (See Mt. Chapters 26 and 27 session for different (but not conflicting!!) details of these events.)

Emphasis on bearing fruit; only possible by remaining in/with Jesus. v.6 There is a Hell!  Also, salvation is not a “once saved, always saved” idea, as many Protestant faith-communities teach. v18-25 The Christian walk is not easy, not an earthly prosperity gospel. Chapter 16 v.7 Jesus had to leave the Apostles (in addition to offering salvation to all who would walk with Him!) so that: A) They would finally understand Him better  through witnessing the resurrected Christ. B) The omnipresent Holy Spirit could guide them (and the Church!) into all truth.  (Jesus, as a man, was not omnipresent.) Chapter 17 v.16 The earth is not our  home! Jesus prayed to the Father 4x in Chapter 17 that the Apostles all be “as one.”  (One Church!)

Key Points: v 1,2 When you as a follower are troubled....Heaven awaits! v.6  The epitome of Christian arrogance?  No!!! ....If God shows eternal mercy on you, whatever your religion, it’s still because of what Christ did on the cross for you, whether you realize it or not during this life. (It’s also because of His (Catholic) Church, whether you know it or not! MUST READ paragraphs 842-847 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church!) v.25,26  The Holy Spirit will live with us and in us, and in a special way, within Christ’s Church, to guide us and to guide the Church into all truth, and to prevent the Church from teaching error on matters of faith and morals. Per Augustine, the Holy Spirit is the bond of love that binds the Father and the Son together.

Key Points: (See attached handout for chronology controversy responses.) John didn’t include the INSTITUTION of the Eucharist in his account, possibly because: A) He covered the IMPORTANCE of the future Eucharist quite thoroughly in John 6. B) As the last Gospel written, he knew you had access to the teaching through the first 3 Gospels. C) See the attached handout for other possibilities.  (Was this a different meal, sometime during Passover week?) John emphasizes Jesus washing the feet of the Apostles.  (Servanthood!) Jesus washing Judas’ feet demonstrates His love for us, no matter WHAT we have done. v.20 demonstrates the truth of Apostolic Authority, one of the pillars of the Catholic Church. v.27 demonstrates the consequences of receiving the Eucharist unworthily;  either without believing in it, or receiving it while conscious of serious sin. (Without first going to Confession.) v.30 Don’t be Judas-like; don’t leave Mass early! v.35 Loving one another (and the servanthood ACTIONS that prove our love) will demonstrate our love for Christ. Attached - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rHJh-8gAhVmZrUmBMkRInwqT2p5VRV7c/view?usp=sharing

Key Points: v. 4-8 Giving to the Church and giving to the poor is not an either/or issue; it’s a both/and issue. v. 24 We must “die” to our own desires and seek to conform our desires and our prayer life to God’s will , to “bear fruit“ for the Kingdom. v.42-43  The Christian walk can be tough socially!  To follow Christ, we must expect social consequences, but the glory of God must take precedence.

Key Points: v. 4,45 God uses even tragedy for good ultimate purposes. v. 16 Don’t be too hard on yourself, or Thomas.  The Christian walk, like Thomas’, is not a straight line.  We have highs (v.16) and lows, as Thomas will discover later. Yet, we can be forgiven, and spend eternity with Christ, as with Thomas. v. 21 God’s time is not our time!! v.50-51 Note the irony of Caiaphus’ statement!  v.52 Note:  “  ....gather into ONE” ( the ONE  Church founded by Christ.)

Key Points: Jesus uses the “I am the Good Shepard“ analogy because sheep are not very bright and easily stray, like us. We must listen for His voice.  The “sheepfold” (v.1) is the Catholic Church. (It is no coincidence that Jesus tells Peter in John 21:15-17 to “Feed My Sheep!) There is to be ONE shepherd and ONE flock (v.16), not 35,000 different flocks. (Denominations.) v. 22 The Feast of the Dedication is Hanukkah, the reason for which, in the Bible, is only described in 1st and 2nd Maccabees, 2 books that are not even found in most protestant Bibles.  (Luther didn’t like what 2 Maccabees 12 suggests about the existence of Purgatory, so he removed these books, and others, that had not been disputed for over 1100 years!)  V.28-29 These verses do NOT mean “Once saved, always saved”,  in the protestant sense.  True, no one can take you from God’s hand, not even Satan, but you can take YOURSELF from God’s hand; you must persevere.  (See Mt. 24:13)

Key Points: We Catholics believe in the Redemptive Value of Suffering.  (See John Paul II’s encyclical “Salvifici Dolores” “Offer it up” for the benefit of others. It has been said that suffering offered up is the 2nd highest form of prayer, behind the Mass. Don’t waste your suffering!  See Colossians 1:24.  What could be lacking in Jesus’ suffering?  Your participation in it! The man used his suffering to witness about Jesus.  Doing the same could be the greatest, most impactful act you ever do!

“Woman caught in Adultery” -The scribes and Pharisees didn’t want the Truth; they wanted to trap Jesus.  (As with many we speak to today! ) He turned it around on them by appealing to THEIR experience. He showed mercy, but still expected future obedience from the woman. Jesus comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable!  “I am the Light of the World” statement coincides with the light show that was a central part of the Feast of Tabernacles. John 8:31 We can “remain” in Jesus through receiving Eucharist.  (See Jn. 6:56 !!) Blood relationships aren’t as important to Jesus as the PERSONAL relationship he desires with each of us.  How’s yours??

7:5 “His brothers did not believe in him.”  ( Listen to Session 31 about “brothers.”)  These “brothers” (cousins or half-brothers), mentioned by name in Mt. 13:55, would eventually not just believe, but become leaders and martyrs for the Faith, AFTER they encountered the Resurrected Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:5-7)  (These verses in 1 Cor. show why Jesus is trustworthy and why I believe in Him.)  We, too, encounter the Resurrected Christ at Mass. V37-39Jesus’ promise of Living Waters from him and the Holy Spirit coincided with the water-poured-over-the- altar part of the Feast of Tabernacles that he was at.